Allen, Texas- De Allen Americans announced that the team signed an agreement with the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League for the 2025-26 season.
“We are proud to work together again with De Allen Americans as our ECHL branch for the 2025-26 season,” said Belleville Senaters General Director Matt Turek. “Having a solid partner will be considerably beneficial for both clubs and offer a clear path to the NHL. We have the utmost confidence in the leadership of coach Steve Martinson and his staff, and we are convinced that they offer the right atmosphere for Senators players to keep growing.”
The Americans are starting their 17th season of professional hockey in October. In the last 16 years of the game, first in the Central Hockey League, from 2009-13, and then in Echl since 2014-15, the Americans have made five trips to the competition final and four championships.
This will be the third time that the Americans and senators have signed an affiliation agreement. The Americans worked with Ottawa/Belleville in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. In their relationship with Ottawa via Belleville, several important players made stops in DFW, including goalkeeper Leevi Merilainen, who played a total of 14 games with the Ottawa Senators. 12 of the 14 arrived last year when he produced a record of 8-3-1, with a 1.99 GAA. Defender Donavan Sebrango and goalkeeper Kevin Mandolese have also seen action at the level of the National Hockey League.
Since becoming a double franchise in 2009-2010, the Americans have worked with the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche in the Central Hockey League, and the Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild, Seattle Kraken and Utah Hockey Club.
“This connection has so much potential for the Americans,” said head coach Steve Martinson. “Many conversations with Matt Turek (Belleville Senators GM) and Sean McCauley (manager of Hockey Operations Ottawa Senators), we know that they like the same playing style as in all. It is great to be able to work to add elite players to our selection.”
#Americans #announce #connection #Ottawa #Senators #Pro #hockey #news