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BALDY’S PUCK DROP Weekly E-Newsletter (September – March) |
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Baldy’s Puck Drop” Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Volume 16: December 21, 2023
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast:
The Americans wrapped up their journey to Minneapolis and the NA3HL Showcase when the four players, Coach Greg, alumni Viktor Wennberg, bus driver Rex Rigor and I pulled into the IcePlex at 4:13 PM on Wednesday. Rex, once again, does an amazing job of getting us to and from all our road games safely not to mention also being one of our biggest fans. The full contingent loaded up for the three-day journey after a light skate last Thursday loaded with drinks and snacks from the Booster Club. Can’t say that the eastern Montana landscape is the most exciting but can in fact verify that Rex can handle the 
few curves that do appear during the trip quite well. We are also very thankful that the weather fully cooperated in both directions, which greatly reduced any stress levels or possible discomfort. The remaining players/staff either left with their families directly from Minneapolis after the game Tuesday or flew out of Minneapolis either late Tuesday or Wednesday morning. One interesting tidbit that we will continue to follow is Dmitri Kuleshov returned to Australia to train with their National U20 team and will play for team Australia at their U20 IIHF World Championship in Belgrade, Serbia in January. We wish Dmitri the best and will follow him along the way, but also will miss him in our line-up for the month of January.
On ice was a bit of a mixed blessing. We played well and secured a gritty 2-1 win versus the New Jersey Titans in game one and followed that up with a 3-1 loss versus a strong Alexandria team in a game where they also played very well. Tuesday’s game was the one game everyone would say they want back as never really got it going against a Louisiana team that clearly wanted it more and worked harder then we did. The result is we are currently in 4th place (and securely holding the last playoff spot) as we head into the holiday break and will have 19 regular season games remaining when the players return to get back to work on January 3rd. One bright spot from the Showcase is the overall performance of the Frontier Division which finished with a record of 14-8-2 – the 2nd best divisional record.
As we wrap up the year 2023, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have and will continue to support the Great Falls Americans. This includes the players and their families, our billet families, our staff and their families and, of course, all of our partners within the Great Falls community. All of this could not be possible without their trust in allowing us to create an opportunity and culture designed to set these young men up for success, the support and kindness of those who are making sacrifices to host our players or the contributions of those who simply support this endeavor – all who are listed in the following pages. The Holiday season is one that is meant to be spent with family and I sincerely hope all who read this can enjoy a safe and festive time with those they care about the most. I know I am extremely thankful for my hockey family.
We’ll be back in early January and in the meantime, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Player Profile – #8 Tariq Khan (Airdrie, AB) 5’10” 148 lbs. FOR/DEF – Shoots Right
Favorite Team: Toronto Maple Leafs Favorite Player: Mitch Marner
Favorite Movie: Miracle Favorite Actor/Actress: Ryan Reynolds
Favorite Food: Shrimp Alfredo Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Pasta
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Drake
Song or Artist Guaranteed to get you hyped: Headlines – Drake
One Item you would bring with you to a deserted Island: Airplane
Hobbies other than Hockey: Basketball
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Drake, Phil Harrell, Sam Duehlmeier
College/University of Choice: Arizona State Like Most About Great Falls: The team and coaching staff.
How would you define a successful season: A good playoff run as well as personal improvement.
Also, thank you to all our existing Eagle’s Nest, Diamond and Platinum Level partners for their continued support.
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Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Partners
| Century Gaming | Great Falls Hospital & Clinic | Anderson Glass-Door | Point S Tire & Auto Service |
| 2 J’s Complex | Borrie’s Italian Supper Club | Murphy Law Office | Stadium Sports Bar & Casino |
| Heidelberg Lounge | Treasure State Eyecare | Craftmaster Cabinets | Floors and More Abbey Carpets |
| Tuttle Tile | Teriyaki Madness | Central MT Lock & Safe | 3D International Restaurant |
| Jersey Mike’s | Noble’s West Side Liquor | Annie’s Taphouse | Hotel Avron-Celtic Cowboy |
| Scheel’s | Croxford Funeral Home | Big Sky Laboratory | Allstate- Tammy Quintrell-Stubbs |
| All State Signs | Highwood Creek Outfitters | Automotive Machine | She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique |
| Wheat Montana | Stifel Investment Services | Bigelow Endodontics | Best Western Plus Riverfront Hotel |
| Culligan Water | Best Med Urgent Care | Buffalo Wild Wings | Tilleraas Landscape & Nursery |
| Stockman Bank | SpringHill Suites by Marriott | Central Avenue Meats | Todd Neighbor at Comparion Insurance |
| Fuddrucker’s | Play It Again Sports | The Beacon IceHouse | Nate & Renae Weisenburger |
| Life In Bloom | Camparion Insurance | United Materials | Fox Sports Radio, Q106, 109.9 The Wolf |
| Hampton Inn | Traynor Capital | Bravera Bank | Discount Meats |
| KFBB (SWX) | Cascade Electric |
Thank you for being a part of our family and we look forward to seeing you at the rink.
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com