Friday, June 10, 2016

Allen Wins Another Kelly Cup

Costello, Gill lead group of 12 alums to capture ECHL championship.

Allen Wins Another Kelly Cup
The Allen Americans won their second consecutive Kelly Cup Thursday night.

A dozen former NCAA players, led by Chad Costello (Northeastern) and Riley Gill (Western Michigan), helped the Allen Americans capture their second consecutive Kelly Cup as ECHL champions Thursday night.

Costello was named playoff MVP while Gill stopped 42 shots in the Americans’ clinching Game 6 victory against the Wheeling Nailers.

ECHL.com

Twelve schools were represented among former college players to appear for the Americans in the playoffs (full list below). The Allen coaching staff features two former college players in head coach Steve Martinson (St. Cloud State) and assistant coach Jason Deitsch (St. Norbert).

Costello led the ECHL in playoff scoring with 36 points, including an ECHL playoff-record 29 assists. He is the first player to be named the ECHL’s regular season and playoff MVP in the same season.

Four of Allen’s top five scorers in the playoffs are former NCAA players, with Greger Hanson (Northern Michigan), David Makowski (Denver) and Gary Steffes (Miami) trailing Costello.

Gill led a group of three former NCAA goaltenders to win playoff games for the Americans as he won his third Kelly Cup. Rookies Jake Hildebrand (Michigan State) and Joel Rumpel (Wisconsin) provided relief and each won at least one playoff game.

Former NCAA Players on the 2016 Allen Americans

Chad CostelloNortheastern
Justin CourtnallBoston University
Danny FedericoQuinnipiac
Aaron GensAlaska
Riley GillWestern Michigan
Greger HansonNorthern Michigan
Jake HildebrandMichigan State
J.P. LaFontaineMinnesota State
David MakowskiDenver
Rick PinkstonDartmouth
Joel RumpelWisconsin
Gary SteffesMiami
Steve Martinson (HC)St. Cloud State
Jason Deitsch (AC)St. Norbert
Includes all players who appeared in 2016 playoffs