Photos By Kevin Scott and Jess Sanstra
By Kevin Scott
GREAT FALLS, Mont., August 19, 2024 — The 2024-25 edition of the Great Falls Americans began today as the team conducted their first training camp day along with their annual Media Day at the Great Falls Ice Plex. The team returns around 15 players from the 2023-24 squad including leading scorer, Ty O’Bey, Kaden Ryhder and Aiden Kennedy.
The trio (along with Head Coach Greg Sears and Team Owner Matt Leaf) participated in the Media Day fesitivities and press conference on Monday afternoon.
Watch the Full Press Conference
Click here to view the part of the press conference video provided by MTN Sports’ Tom Wylie.
A special thanks to our media partners that attended our Press Conference. Tom Wylie (MTN Sports, KRTV) (See story and video) and Adam Rodriguez from ABC/FOX MONTANA/SWX SPORTS filed this story (click here). Bob McNamee (560AM KMON Radio) and Shannon Newth from Visit Great Falls also attended.
Here are some more Events/Key Dates to get on your calendar as we prepare for the 2024-25 hockey season.
• Season and individual game tickets are now on sale at www.greatfallsamericans.com
• Week of July 29, 2024 – The ice making and arena set up will begin.
• Thursday, August 1, 2024 – Look for info on the latest Booster Club Raffle where the winner will be drawn during our home game on September 14th. It is going to be a good one!
• Saturday/Sunday August 10th and 11th. Ice Plex Paint Party. Our Arena staff will be painting the ice this weekend in preparation for the season. If painting is not your thing, there will be plenty of other projects where we could use volunteers to help get the rink ready. Also, a good chance to get out of the heat!
• Thursday, August 15th – Look for our pre-season fan activation on DASH with a special promotion to get you ready for the season! 
• Saturday, August 17th. 2nd Annual Cornhole Extravaganza at the Beacon Ice House. A full afternoon of cornhole fun followed by the Steve Keller Band playing live at 7:00 PM. Come out an enjoy a family friendly afternoon and meet many of our players away from the rink. Register at www.greatfallsamericans.com
• Monday, August 19th Pre-Season Main Camp begins with 2 sessions per day.
• Monday, August 19th 12:00PM Great Falls Americans Press Conference with Team Owner, the Coaching Staff and some returning players answering questions about the season. All media and public are welcome.
•Tuesday, August 20th 7:30 PM Team dinner and chance for fans to meet and greet our players at Buffalo Wild Wings.
• 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.
• Saturday, September 7th 5:00 PM The Booster Club Tailgate Party prior to our 7:05 PM game versus Sheridan.
• 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.
The Americans will conduct their annual Red vs. White Intrasquad Scrimmage on Saturday, August 24th at 7:00PM at the Great Falls Ice Plex. The season opener will be a home date against the Sheridan (WY) Hawks on Friday, September 6th at 7:00PM live from the Great Falls Ice Plex.