Photo Courtesy of the Allen Americans [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8473b68b-f617-4de0-86c4-df5e4b4aa790.png] Photo Courtesy of the Allen Americans The winningest coach in Allen Americans [https://allenamericans.com/]history is coming back. The Americans announced Monday the team is bringing back Steve Martinson as their head coach and general manager. Martinson won four championships behind the bench with the Americans, leading the club to titles over the Wichita Thunder (CHL), in 2013, the Denver Cutthroats (CHL), in 2014, the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL), in 2015, and Wheeling Nailers (ECHL), in 2016. “The Allen Americans are fully committed to winning and building a dominant championship culture,” Americans owner Myles Jack said in a statement. “Under the proven leadership of Steve Martinson, we are laser-focused on restoring a tradition of excellence and bringing a winning mentality back to this organization. The standard is set; nothing less than greatness will define the future of Allen Americans hockey." Martinson has 10 championships in total: Five with the San Diego Gulls (WCHL), in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2003. He also captured one cup with the Rockford IceHogs (UHL) in 2007. Martinson was candid about the type of players he would be looking for in restoring the Americans to its prior glory. “I’m super excited to get to work rebuilding this team,“ Martinson said. The first thing I will do is tell players to watch the Florida Panthers. If that’s your style, you’ve found your place to play. Fast, skilled, and heavy. If you can’t play that way, then Allen is not for you. “Everyone knows my style and now we have an owner committed to creating the best environment for players to develop and the team to win. Myles Jack lived the importance of team culture and identity. As a player, you know when management and ownership give you all the tools you need to succeed. Wake up, kick Ass, Repeat. Let’s Go!" Martinson is just shy of 400 regular season victories as head coach of the Americans with 396. He coached the team for 10 seasons from 2012-2013 to 2021-2022, guiding them to the post-season eight times. Martinson coached last season in the Federal Prospects Hockey League, where he led the Athens Rock Lobsters to the postseason and won Coach of the Year in his only season in Georgia. Prior to coaching at the professional level, he played 14 seasons of pro hockey that included 49 games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings], Montreal Canadians [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens], and Minnesota North Stars. Fan excitement is sure to abound now that Martinson will be back behind the Americans’ bench and leading the team’s hockey operations.
