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BALDY’S PUCK DROP Weekly E-Newsletter (September – August) |
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Baldy’s Puck Drop” Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Volume 31: June 27, 2024
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: The first part of summer has gone by fast, and it is now time to get serious about the 2024-25 season. The schedule will be announced by the NA3HL later today and we are looking forward renewing our community partnerships
and putting together a great home schedule full of special events. I can’t release the entire schedule, yet, but I will
provide a little teaser in that we will open at home the first Friday and Saturday in September!
Greg, Alex and I just spent the weekend scouting and recruiting players in Colorado Springs at the Air Force Academy Showcase. This weekend camp provides a very high level of players in the 04-08 birth years as the Air Force NCAA D1 team uses this event to bring in their current and prospective recruits to campus. Our very own Blake Komrofske and Joseph Buschmann participated and represented the Americans well. Coach Sears will be making one more trip to the Fairbanks NAHL Main Camp where we will also have several players participating in their effort to make the NAHL team.
Players are starting to sign their contracts as the summer has progressed and we want to welcome the following to our family for the 2024-25 season:
| Player | Position | Birth Year | Home | 2023-24 Team |
| Blake Komrofske | Forward | 2005 | Colorado Springs, CO | Great Falls Americans |
| Caleb Gamboa | Forward | 2005 | Anchorage, AK | Great Falls Americans |
| Garrett Driscoll | Defenseman | 2004 | Colorado Springs, CO | Great Falls Americans |
| Blake Blandon | Goalkeeper | 2006 | Kalispell, MT | Kalispell High School |
| Brody Richard | Forward | 2006 | Wasilla, AK | Team Alaska 18 AAA |
| Cole Molaski | Forward | 2006 | Suamico, WI | Bay Port High School |
| Gavin Denis | Forward | 2006 | Rhinelander, WI | Rhinelander High School |
| Ethan “EJ” Sanchez | Forward | 2008 | Great Falls, MT | Sioux Falls Power 15 AAA |
Several other players are in the process of signing their contracts and many of the returners have
committed, but are preparing for their NAHL main camps or enjoying some time off. A special congrats goes out to our college commitments from last season. Sam Duehlmeier is attending the University of Providence, Phil Harrell is attending Eastern Kentucky and Spencer Schipferling is attending the University of Jamestown.
Now is the time to start renewing our partnerships for next season. Our Corporate Sponsors play such an important role in allowing us to do what we do by helping us keep player tuition down and continue to improve the atmosphere we can provide our players and fans. A special thanks goes out to the following partners for getting the ball rolling with their commitments for next season: City Toyota, Murphy Law, The Peak Health and Wellness, Jersey Mike’s, Century Gaming, 3D International Restaurant and Lounge, Floors & More Abbey Carpets, Stockman Bank, Culligan Water, Buffalo Wild Wings and Traynor Capital. I look forward to connecting with everyone in the coming weeks to see how we can best provide value to our partners.
The Americans will be participating in two community events in the next week. On Sunday, we will have a
street hockey rink set up and inviting young kids to give hockey a try at Alluvion Health’s “Get Out and Play” event at Lions Park from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM. The Americans will also have a presence during the 4th of July with a float for the parade – special thanks to Wendy Dick for the use of her vintage car – and the Booster Club Drawing for their most recent raffle taking place at Annie’s Taphouse at 4:00 PM. It is not too late to get your raffle ticket by contacting Adam Stanczak or stopping by The Tool Box (located at 420 3rd St S.) Plan on stopping by at Annie’s Taphouse on the 4th to enjoy a great craft beer and get your raffle ticket for the amazing tool set.
Two mark your calendar events. The first is August 17th for our 2nd Annual Cornhole Extravaganza taking place at the Beacon IceHouse. The event will take place all day and culminate with the Steve Keller Band performing at 7:00 PM. Registration is open at www.greatfallsamericans.com and proceeds from this year will go towards offsetting ice costs for our Sled Hockey Team. Finally, our Red vs. White scrimmage will take place at 7:05 PM on August 24th and is free to the public. The game will feature all our players who participated in our main camp during the week and will be your chance to meet the 2024-25 version of the Great Falls Americans.
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