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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 33: August 22, 2024
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: Camp has officially started – it is a great time of the year. The players and staff have been doing two-a-days plus some off-ice activities. Monday, we held a press conference and a thank you goes out to veteran players Ty O’Bey, Kaden Rhyder and Aiden Kennedy for participating with Coach Sears and myself. That was followed by a team meeting where general expectations were outlined and the players received their equipment and off-ice apparel. Tuesday’s morning practice was followed by a workout at Ryan Dam with a little whiffle ball too. After the evening ice session, the players participated in a meet and greet and received dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings where they had a chance to mingle with our billet families and fans. Wednesday and Thursday included two more hard days on the ice, a chance to run the steps at Voyager Stadium and a chance to get their credentials at our workout facility, The Peak Health and Wellness,
with a few team meetings intermingled to go over on-ice systems. Friday will include their pre-season physicals and baseline testing before getting to enjoy the culmination of the week with their Red vs. White Scrimmage on Saturday night. Puck drop is 7:05 PM and this special scrimmage is free to the public, so come on out and enjoy some cooler temperatures and get your first look at this year’s team.
Although there is always the chance to have a few more adds, I do want to take this opportunity to introduce our team as we welcome the following to our family for the 2024-25 season (Those highlighted in Yellow were previously announced):
| 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 |
| Ty Brander (Pictured) | Defenseman | 2005 | Airdrie, AB | Great Falls Americans |
| Macen Heisler | Forward | 2005 | Horace, ND | Bottineau/Rugby Braves HS |
| Mercer Twomey | FOR/DEF | 2004 | Charleston, SC | Atlanta Capitals (NA3HL) |
| Jace Troyer | Forward | 2006 | Great Falls, MT | Wasatch Renegades 18 AAA |
| Keegen Hanson | Defenseman | 2005 | Fargo, ND | Colorado Springs Tigers 18 AAA |
| Fisher Hannesson | Defenseman | 2005 | West Fargo, ND | Fargo South Shanley HS |
| Zac Orwig | Forward | 2004 | Rogers, MN | Great Falls Americans |
| Masen Kerr | Forward | 2004 | Kenosha, WI | Great Falls Americans |
| Blayne Jusczak | Forward | 2005 | North Pole, AK | Team Alaska 18 AAA |
| Kale Witt | Goalkeeper | 2006 | Detroit Lakes, MN | Detroit Lakes HS |
| Owen Cronk |
Forward | 2007 | Great Falls, MT | Montana Selects 16’s/GFA |
| Easton Delcampo | Defenseman | 2007 | Deer Park, WA | Spokane Jr. Chiefs 17’s |
| Carson Sears |
Defenseman | 2008 | Great Falls, MT | Montana Selects 16’s |
| Aiden Kennedy |
Forward | 2005 | New York Mills, MN | Great Falls Americans |
| Easton Kennedy | Forward | 2007 | New York Mills, MN | Detroit Lakes HS/GFA |
| Ty O’Bey | Forward | 2005 | Ashland, WI | Great Falls Americans |
| Cal Laggis | Forward | 2004 | Rhinelander, WI | Great Falls Americans |
| Kaden Rhyder (pictured) | Goalkeeper | 2005 | Elizabethtown, PA | Great Falls Americans |
| Garren Narvaez | Forward | 2005 | Phoenix, AZ | Great Falls Americans |
| Sebe Perez |
Forward |
2004 |
Tucson, AZ | Great Falls Americans |
As you can see it is a balanced group of young hockey players from 11 different states and one Canadian Province. We have 14 players
returning from last season with the intention of finishing what they started and a good mix of veteran and younger players who have skill and an opportunity to develop. There are also a few non-rostered players participating in our camp and will be part of the Red vs. White game. These are younger players who are considered our future and are adding energy to the camp while gaining valuable experience for down the road.
Our 2nd Annual Cornhole Extravaganza was another huge success with all proceeds raised going towards covering ice/equipment costs for our Sled Hockey Program. 21 Teams participated and it gave our players a chance to get to know each other and meet many of our fans in an informal setting. A special thanks goes out to the Beacon Ice House for hosting our event and our amazing Booster Club member who put together several raffle baskets.
Here are some upcoming events I want to be sure to get on your calendar as we prepare for the season. The Newsletter will transition to a weekly edition starting next week, so more detailed information will be shared in upcoming issues:
• Saturday, August 24th 7:05 PM Red vs. White Game
• Friday, September 6th Home opener versus Sheridan 7:05 PM – stay tuned for a Special Fan giveaway – Vuvuzela’s.
• Saturday, September 7th 5:00 PM The Booster Club Tailgate Party prior to our 7:05 PM game versus Sheridan. The band “After Five” will be performing live out back of the rink with the Booster Club providing food and drinks available for purchase.
• Thursday, September 12th 2:00-5:00 PM Americans Meet and Greet at Big Sky Harley-Davidson!
• Saturday, September 14th 7:05 PM versus Bozeman. Harley-Davidson Biker Night presented by Big Sky Harley. Special Booster Club raffle drawn during 2nd intermission. Raffle tickets are now available at Big Sky Harley-Davidson and from any Booster Club member. Look for more information about some special activities taking place as part of this promotion in the coming weeks.
That should be enough to fill your schedule for the coming weeks and, hopefully, you can see why I am so excited to get the season started both on and off the ice.
We have officially started our new season with a brand-new fan activation through DASH. We are
auctioning off authentic dressing room stalls from our dressing room with personalized nameplates. You can purchase an individual stall, or you can purchase all three. The auction will be running the next few weeks, so check it our using the QR code and look for more very special items to be available throughout the season.
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 (* new this season)
| 3D International Restaurant and Lounge | All-State Signs | Annie’s Taphouse |
| Automotive Machine | Beacon Ice House | Benski Towing & Recovery |
| Big Sky Harley Davidson* | Big Sky Laboratory | Bravera Bank |
| Cascade Electric | Central Avenue Meats | Central MT Lock & Safe |
| Century Gaming | Coca-Cola* | Comparion Insurance-Todd Neighbor |
| Craftmaster Cabinets | Culligan Water | Ferrin’s Furniture |
| Floors & More Abbey Carpets | Great Falls Hospital | Hampton Inn & Suites |
| Highwood Creek Outfitters | Hoglund’s | Hotel Arvon-Celtic Cowboy |
| Jersey Mike’s | Johnson Distributing | Karma Coffee* |
| Life in Bloom Floral & Gift Boutique | Montana Air National Guard* | Murphy Law |
| Open Door Wellness* | Play It Again Sports | Purvis Chiropractic* |
| Scheels | STARadio | She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique |
| Stifel |Finnicum Financial Group |
Stockman Bank |
TDS Fiber* |
| Teriyaki Madness |
Tilleraas Landscape & Nursery |
Traynor Capital |
| Visit Great Falls* |
Westgate Repair Inc* |
Thank you for being a part of our family and let’s get this season started!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com