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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 34: August 29, 2024
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: I’ll start this week with a quick recap of our Red vs. White Game Saturday night. The White team, coached by assistants Alex Leaf and Nathan Bring came a way with an impressive 6-1 victory. Kaden Rhyder and Duke Pingrey backstopped the effort with solid goaltending and goals were scored by multiple players. A new feature this season is we will be recognizing the three “Stars of the Game” after home wins – our first honorees include 3rd Star, Ty Brander, 2nd Star, Zac Orwig and 1st Star of the Game Kaden Rhyder. I would also like to thank all the fans who attended and witnessed a pretty fast and competitive game, in spite of the final score.
This week saw the squad settle into a regular weekly routine with morning practices, video review and afternoon workouts at the Peak Health and Wellness. There were a couple of special changes to that routine; Monday was media day where our Video Partner, Gentle Thug Visual Media LLC, collected some video footage of our players and our official photographer, Mike Noel Photography, Took headshots of the team for both the league and our own purposes.
On Tuesday, our Team Life Coach, Shawn Hayes LCSW, arrived and is spending a few days with our team conducting individual interviews with each player and spent some time with our amazing billet families at a special team dinner on Wednesday night. Mr. Hayes’ role is to provide support and resources for our players and staff in dealing with life issues off the ice. The players face many different challenges as part of this commitment including moving away from home – oftentimes for the first time – integrating with a new family (their host billet family), managing school or work commitments, relationships, budgets and the pressure to perform on the ice in an effort to achieve their goals. Mr. Hayes is their sounding board and someone they can count on, confidentially, to help them navigate these challenges and steer then towards additional resources when necessary. This type of commitment in unique to the Americans in the Junior Hockey world and is something we are extremely proud of providing to our players and families.
On Friday, our players and staff will participate in their annual team bonding adventure while being hosted by long time Americans’ supporters Dave and Cathy Covert. They will do some work for our hosts in assisting in winterizing their property, do some hiking and fishing and have a bonfire on Friday night. The Americans would like to thank the Coverts’ for being such gracious hosts and giving our players the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors of Montana.
Player Profile – #15 Fisher Hannesson (Fargo, ND) 6’0” 180 lbs. DEF – Shoots Left
Favorite Team: Minnesota Wild Favorite Player: Matt Cullen
Favorite Movie: The Founder Actor/Actress: Ryan Reynolds
Favorite Food: Pasta Favorite Pre-Game Meal: PB & J’s
If you were an animal: An eagle because I would be able to fly and be free
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Cody Johnson
Song or Artist Guaranteed to get you hyped: Freestyle-Lil Baby & Dream On-Aerosmith
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: My Dad – Justin
Hobbies other than Hockey: Motorcycling, Pickleball, Hanging with Friends
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Donald Trump, J Cole and My Mom-Tonya
College/University of Choice: University of North Dakota
Like Most About Great Falls: The scenery and the people.
How would you define a successful season: Meeting our team goals and winning the Fraser Cup!.
Here are our upcoming events to get on your calendar:
• Friday, September 6th Home opener versus Sheridan 7:05 PM – the first 100 fans will receive a free Vuvuzela – our players are asking our fans to make more noise – so figured we might as well give them the tools to do so.
• 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. Come on out and enjoy a great Fall evening while they last.
• 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.
• Saturday, September 21st is City Toyota Night as we host Fraser Cup Champion Helena at 7:05 PM.
• Friday, September 27th – we will be participating in a Block Party OKTOBERFEST with Annie’s Taphouse, the Kellergeist and Tracy’s Family Restaurant. The first block of Central Avenue will be blocked off downtown for an evening of German Beer, Food and music along with an Americans booth promoting our game and giving all attendees a chance to win prizes. Many of our players will also be present to interact with our fans and be exposed to the community.
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 |
| Comparion Insurance-Todd Neighbor | Automotive Machine | Beacon Ice House |
| Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation | Benski Towing & Recovery | Big Sky Harley Davidson* |
| Floors & More Abbey Carpets | Big Sky Laboratory | Bravera Bank |
| Hoglund’s | Cascade Electric | Central Avenue Meats |
| Hotel Arvon-Celtic Cowboy | Central MT Lock & Safe | Century Gaming |
| Life in Bloom Floral & Gift Boutique | Coca-Cola* | Craftmaster Cabinets |
| Montana Air National Guard* | Culligan Water | Ferrin’s Furniture |
| She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique | Great Falls Hospital | Hampton Inn & Suites |
| Stifel |Finnicum Financial Group | Highwood Creek Outfitters | Jersey Mike’s |
| Tilleraas Landscape & Nursery | Johnson Distributing | Karma Coffee* |
| Murphy Law | Open Door Wellness* | Play It Again Sports |
| Purvis Chiropractic* | Scheels | STARadio |
| Stockman Bank | TDS Fiber* | Teriyaki Madness |
| 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