The Allen Americans got a small taste of what Chaz Smedsrud could do last season, but they liked what they saw enough to bring him back for 2024-25.
The club signed the 6-foot-3, 200-pound rookie forward on Tuesday. Smedsrud joined the Americans late last season, but he didn’t take long to grab attention.
Smeds sticks around!
The Allen Americans have signed forward, Chaz Smedsrud for the ’24-25 ECHL season! Smedsrud joined the Americans in the homestretch of the regular season tallying 7 points in 9 regular season games played.
Welcome back to Allen!#LiveInTheRed @ECHL pic.twitter.com/uZWLxqbfQD
— Americans Professional Hockey Club (@AllenAmericans) August 13, 2024
Smedsrud potted three goals and four assists for seven points over nine games. He even had a three-game point streak to start his pro career that included a goal against the Rapid City Rush in his debut.
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to return to the Americans,” Smedsrud announced after the signing. “I can’t wait to get back on the ice with the guys and play in front of the best fans in the league.”
Before signing with Allen, Smedsrud played four seasons of collegiate hockey at Union College in New York, where he averaged just under 16 points per season. Over 141 games, he collected 62 points.
Not only does Smedsrud offer the Americans size up front, but he can play multiple positions, a quality head coach B.J. Adams is particularly excited about.
“Getting Chaz back was a priority,” Adams said. “We look for him to build on his success from last year.”
The Americans will kick off the 2024-25 season on the road against the Tulsa Oilers October 24. Home-opening weekend is October 25-26 with the Kansas City Mavericks coming to town.
