Flashy costumes, synchronized routines, perfect hair; there are many things that come to mind when Allen Americans fans think about their Ice Angels — but how much do we really know about the training and effort that goes into being part of the award-winning dance team? 

Today on BubbleLife, we have two Ice Angels with us to talk about their role on the team and what it means to them. 

Captain Kaylee Foster began by revealing how busy life can be as a part-time dancer. “Most of us have full-time jobs and/or are in college,” she said. “We spend our days at our day jobs and our evenings practicing, working out, or at a game. It is very challenging! I have a pretty demanding full-time job, and when you add dance, workouts, and games on top of that, it can definitely be overwhelming.” 

To keep up with the physical and mental demands of the job, Captain Kristin Dodd prioritizes her health on a daily basis. “In order to maintain a busy schedule, I have to make sure I am eating healthy, well-balanced meals, getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water. Days off are far and few between, so maintaining a healthy lifestyle physically and mentally is key.”

When we asked about training and preparation, both immediately jumped to talking about the skill all Ice Angels are required to have.

“To be able to make it at the professional dance level, it takes years of training and preparation,” Dodd said. “Not only do you have to have dance technique, you have to be in great physical shape and also be a show-stopping performer. Even for girls who have been dancing their whole lives, it can often take several auditions before making the team.”

Despite the rigorous schedules and demanding workouts, both women love being Allen Americans Ice Angels.

“My teammates can make any rainy day brighter, and our team is truly a sisterhood — more so than any other team I've been a part of,” Foster said. “I believe in using every talent and attribute you have to pour out into the world. Being a member of this team helps me achieve just that. Every day, I wake up thankful that I get to live out a purposeful life where I am doing all the things I am passionate about!”

Similarly, Dodd praised the bond between teammates and the ability to embrace her passion. “I love the tribe of sisters that comes with making the team. I know that if I ever need anything I could call one of my teammates and they would be there in a second. We really build each other up and support each other. [Also], I love getting to do what I love doing every day. Dance isn't just what I do, it's who I am.”

Don’t miss the Ice Angels’ performances at every home game. On February 2, check out “Star Wars Night” at the Allen Event Center. Fans will have the opportunity to hang out with different Star Wars characters while cheering on the Allen Americans and Ice Angels against the Idaho Steelheads. Grab your tickets today.

Learn more about the Allen Americans’ game schedule, special events, and more by visiting allenamericans.com.

*Post sponsored by the Allen Americans 

As the hockey season ramps up, we wanted to take a look at what it takes to be an Allen Americans player. What does a normal day look like? What are the ups and downs? 

Today, we have insights from three of the team’s players on everything from regular routines to their eating habits and hobbies. 

“There’s really no such thing as an average day during the season,” says player David Makowski. “Every day is different and I’m always focused on preparing myself to be ready for a game. It usually consists of working out, stretching, eating well and resting.”

The team spends many of their days during the season commuting to games and traveling around the country, which can be draining, especially when combined with rigorous practices and other events.

“Rest is a weapon,” adds player Johnny McInnis. “I’m a firm believer in recovering the right way. Playing such a high-paced game makes it tough for a lot of us to relax and just let our bodies rest, but over the years, I have learned that staying off your feet and stretching can really help you get a mental and physical rest. 

Sometimes, the players are on the road for long periods of time, which gives them many hours to prepare for upcoming games while also pursuing some of their own hobbies.

“I’ve had lengthy road trips for as long as I can remember,” says player Kevin Sundher. “It’s almost second nature now. It’s a great opportunity to bond with the guys, and as long as I have my iPad, laptop and headphones for the bus, I’m a happy man.”

The fast-paced schedules of the players aren’t just physically exhausting, but also mentally fatiguing. It takes a great deal of effort to keep your head in the game, especially when homesickness plagues you.

“The biggest struggle for me is always the time spent away from family and friends back home,” says McInnis. “The season gets so busy sometimes I can hardly keep up with communication from everyone. It’s tough when they don’t always get to see me play or I miss birthdays, holidays, etc. But you create such a bond with your teammates and staff that they become your family during the season.”

Staying healthy is also a challenge on the road. Players need to eat right, keep their bodies in shape, and stay mentally prepared for the games ahead.

“During the season, we burn a lot of calories, so I think we can get away with a little more diet-wise than most,” says McInnis. “But I do find that I perform better when I stick to my eating regimen. Personally, I love to cook, so my diet is usually a pretty good mix of proteins like eggs, chicken breast, steak, and even ground turkey. I also need to get some vegetables in me, so I stick to avocados, zucchini, and asparagus.”

Injuries are also common during the season, and for some players, they can pose a big setback for both games and practices.

“I’ve been injured most of the season,” says Sundher. “It’s an arm injury, so I haven’t been able to play with the puck at all. Being injured is always tough, especially at the start of the season. I spend less time skating with the guys, and we’ve had lots of road trips so I haven’t been able to spend time with them. I’m looking forward to getting back at in the near future and helping the team win some games.”

Despite the long days of travel and the continuous exertion the players face, they all understand that playing for the Allen Americans is a unique and wonderful opportunity.

“It’s a privilege to be here,” says Sundher. “There’s a great support system from the fans, and the organization has a history of success for a reason.”

After winning four championships in the last decade, the Allen Americans have established an impressive name for themselves in the world of professional hockey.

“This is such an unbelievable organization,” said Makowski. “Not many professional sports teams accomplish what the Allen Americans have done in 10  years. Our owner, management, coaches and staff provide the players with everything we need to be successful and make it such an awesome place to play. You can ask most of the players on the other teams in the league where their number one place to play would be and the answer is usually Allen. If it isn’t, they’ve never been here.”


To see these guys in action, along with their many other teammates, check out an upcoming game at the Allen Event Center. On December 1, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will pay a visit to support their favorite team. Then, on December 21, some of your favorite DC Comic characters will stop by. 

Learn more about the Allen Americans’ game schedule or buy tickets by visiting www.allenamericans.com.

*Article sponsored by the Allen Americans Hockey Team

When you put two loyal, dedicated brothers on the same team, you’re certainly in for double the fun (and double the trouble). The Allen Americans recently re-signed Canadian brothers Dalton, 24, and Josh Thrower, 22, for the 2018-2019 season, and fans are excited to see more of these fierce siblings on the ice. 

This is the first time the two brothers have had the chance to play on the same team professionally, and they both couldn’t be happier about the opportunity.

“I wouldn’t say there are any low points when playing with my brother,” Josh said. “Coach Marty has given us a great opportunity. It’s great for our family to be able to watch us together on the ice and make one trip to see both of us, and it’s just been so enjoyable to play together. You just gotta embrace it and push each other to do better.”

Coming from Vancouver in 2017, Josh and Dalton have definitely had to adjust to life here in the Lone Star State. However, they’re loving the benefits North Texas has to offer them, both as professional players and as current residents.

“Allen is just a great place to live and play, and the fans do everything they can for us. On a lot of teams, you don’t see that kind of support from fans,” Dalton said. “Also, the food in Texas is amazing. Cowboy Chicken is something we always go home and brag about to our friends and family in Canada.”

Another thing they love about Texas? Our devotion to our favorite teams and watching big games.

“Everyone loves their sports out here,” said Dalton. “It’s a really fun culture to play in.”

When the brothers decided to play in America, they didn’t want to play for just any team; they wanted to play where championships are earned and winners are made. Since the Allen Americans have walked away with four championships over the past decade, that made the team an appealing choice.

“This is a winning team,” Dalton said. “That was a big part of our coming here. Our coach is a winner, and we felt like this was a great opportunity to learn while also playing together. We’ve had a dream since we were kids to play in the NHL… and we’re pushing toward the goal and next level every day.” 

Last year was Josh’s first time to play on a professional team, and he was thrilled to share the first two years with family. “Being able to play with my older brother has been a pretty cool experience. He was the first one to jump into major junior hockey years ago, and being the younger brother and looking up to that, it really helped me feed off his accomplishment.”

Both brothers attribute much of their love for hockey and team comradery to their father.

“Dad really pushed us growing up,” Dalton said. “He was a coach for a lot of our teams, and he made it enjoyable. He did everything he could to drive us to Vancouver for practice. He made everything easier for us as kids to enjoy ourselves and really wanted to help us be better players.”

The brothers’ shared experiences, both on the ice and on the road, have forged a bond between them that rivals all others. Together, they’re determined to establish a name for themselves in the world of professional hockey, and maybe someday the NHL.

“We want to win the championship this year,” said Dalton. “We’ve had a slow start, but it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. We’re going to turn it around.”

Want to support the Thrower brothers and the rest of the Allen Americans? The best way to do so is to spend one of your weekend nights at their fun games. This Saturday’s home game (November 10) is Veterans Night, so special ticket discounts will be offered to all veterans. Plus, former and current military members will be recognized. 

To snag tickets to games or learn more about the Allen Americans, visit allenamericans.com. Then, keep an eye out on BubbleLife for more interviews and feature pieces.

Article sponsored by the Allen Americans

When it comes to building a strong team and encouraging players to make the most of their time in Allen, Allen Americans Head Coach Steve Martinson places a large emphasis on planning for the future. Back in 2014, many of his players expressed interest in becoming firemen after their hockey careers came to an end, so Martinson took action to facilitate their aspirations. 

After meeting with the Allen Fire Department and Battalion Chief Rex Womack, an internship program was developed to transition interested hockey players into trained firefighters who could remain in the community, serving the fans who have backed them for years. 

The firefighter internship program took a break for a few years, but now, 11 current Allen Americans players are involved. The men receive first-hand training, go on ride alongs and truly experience what it’s like to live as a firefighter. Some of the players even assist with extinguishing live fires.

“When players sign up to participate in the internship program and learn to be a firefighter, they know they’re committing to a long, hard process,” said Assistant Coach and McKinney firefighter Jason Deitsch. “They’re dedicating their free time during the season to learning what it’s like to try this career, and whether or not they end up becoming full-time firefighters, they learn valuable skills and explore a possible career path.”

Although one might not immediately draw a line between playing hockey and fighting fires, the players see a direct connection between the two experiences.

“Firefighting is a similar atmosphere to the hockey dressing room with the camaraderie,” said Kevin Young, who previously participated in the program when he was playing for the Allen Americans. “It's hard to plan for when you won't be playing anymore, but it's something we all need to do. This program gives you a great look at what it takes to be a firefighter and also gives you some great hands-on education.”

Similarly, Deitsch remarked on how smooth the transition from the locker room to the fire station can seem to players. “Playing hockey is all about learning to work as a team, and as a firefighter, relying on your team is key,” he said. “Players want a career that uses some of the skills they’ve worked so hard to form while playing hockey, and firefighting provides them with the opportunity to do that.”

There are two parts to the internship program. The first is a structured period in which the players learn about basic EMT skills, like starting IVs, checking blood pressure, and clearing airways. Each intern goes through six or seven in-depth training sessions, then moves on to partner with one of the five fire stations in Allen.

While working with firefighters, the players build their own schedules and dedicate much of their free time to the experience. Each individually spends 24 to 30 hours participating in ride alongs, as well as attending classroom and hands-on training.

“I really wanted that firsthand experience, to peek behind the curtain,” said Young. “I went into the program with hopes of finding out if firefighting could be my next career choice. [The firefighters] trained us well and welcomed us into the station like we were a part of the team.”

To learn more about how the Allen Americans are involved in the community around us, visit allenamericans.com. There you can read about everything from Biscuit’s Bully Busters Program to special games and events. For tickets to upcoming home games with awesome themes like Ladies Night Hockey in Heels (November 2) or Marvel’s Superhero Night (November 3), click here.

Although the Allen Americans’ 10th Anniversary season has already begun, it’s not too late to attend every home game and pledge your support to the boys in red. The team’s first home game is on Saturday, October 20, and the players are ready to bring their A-game to the Allen Event Center.

Now’s the best time to grab your season tickets so that you don’t miss a home game. The ticket plans are surprisingly affordable, and if you want to save a little more money, you can even opt for a half-season pass that gets you seats at 18 games.

As a Season Plan Ticket Holder, you’ll receive access to several key benefits, including:

• 36 reserved season game tickets
• Great savings off gate price
• Exclusive access to the Season Ticket Holder-Only Lounge
• Access to special events
• A flexible exchange policy
• A 15 percent discount card for the Americans’ team store
• Flexible no-interest payment plans

Half-Season Plan Ticket Holders will receive many of the same benefits, as well as upgrade opportunities and the ability to renew their payment plans. To learn more about Season Ticket Plan pricing and other details, visit allenamericans.com/ticket-plans.

Don’t forget that the first home game is “Pink in the Rink” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. By attending, you’ll support the UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and enjoy specialty drinks and a stunning pink rink.

In honor of their 10th Anniversary, the Allen Americans will be bringing more fun features to the rink than ever before. Fans won’t want to miss other exciting games like:

Marvel’s Super Hero Night vs. South Carolina - November 3
With the help of the Black Panther and Captain America, as well as Cinemark Theaters, the Americans will be sporting a Marvel-themed jersey that you can win in the post-game skate and auction. Kids (and adults) can meet real-life superheroes, trade cards, and support their favorite hockey team. 

Veterans Night vs. Kansas City - November 10
On this night, the team and fans will reflect and honor the sacrifices that our nation’s veterans have made. Prior to the game, there will be an annual military hockey game, followed by a pre-game party on the plaza. Both active and retired military members will receive special ticket discounts along with recognition throughout the game.

Jurassic Arena Night vs. Wichita - November 30
Ever been to a hockey game with dinosaurs? Families are welcome to attend the Jurassic-themed event where they can secure player autographs, take pictures with Jurassic Park vehicles and even dress as dinosaurs themselves. 

Nickelodeon Night vs. Wichita - December 1
This special event features the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, presented by Tim Jackson Custom Homes. The Americans will be sporting TMNT-themed jerseys that can be secured during the post-game skate and auction. There will also be a Children’s Health Teddy Bear Toss, where stuffed animals are thrown onto the ice and donated to nearby hospitals. 

Christmas/Seinfeld Night vs. Cincinnati - December 22
The Americans will be sporting their Ugly Christmas jerseys, so you should, too! Plus, you can see the post-game winter wonderland complete with Santa and a live reindeer. Oh, and if you’re a fan of Seinfeld, Festivus will be celebrated in its full glory. 

Star Wars Night vs. Idaho - February 2
One of the biggest nights of the year is the annual Star Wars Night, presented by Access Counseling Group. The Americans will sport a Star Wars-themed jersey that you can secure in the post-game skate and auction. Throughout the night and on the concourse, fans will run into all of their favorite characters from Star Wars. 

Harry Potter Night vs. Reading - February 16
Harry Potter Night doubles as the first alumni game, as fan favorites from the past 10 seasons will once again pull on an Americans sweater and face off.  There will also be a game of Quidditch on ice for all the fans of the wizarding world. 

Pucks and Paws vs. Rapid City - March 3
At Pucks and Paws, presented by Allen Veterinary Hospital, fans are welcome to bring their dogs into the Allen Event Center to help them cheer on the Americans. During the intermission, wiener dogs will take the ice to race across it.

Police vs. Fire vs. Utah - March 23
The Allen Fire and Police departments are bringing their rivalry to the ice this March. During the game, the Americans will be wearing a specialty jersey supporting all first responders. On the concourse, fans can check out vehicles from both departments on display.

Don’t miss the opportunity to support great causes and watch some epic games on the ice. Purchase your tickets today and GO RED.

Article sponsored by the Allen Americans Hockey Club