Allen returns All-Star and MVP finalist for 2010-11 season
ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans are proud to announce that the club has signed All-Star forward Bruce Graham to lead its quest for a 2011 Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup title.
The forward is coming back to Allen for the 2010-11 season with one mission. “I’m returning to win a championship,” Graham said Monday.
Graham led the Americans in scoring in their inaugural regular season, netting 79 points (31g-48a=79) in 64 games. The Moncton, New Brunswick, native also led the team in plus/minus rating, going +23. He finished the season with nine game-winning goals, tied for the top spot in the CHL. Graham was also a finalist for the CHL Most Valuable Player.
The 24-year-old’s excellent play spilled over into the Americans first postseason. He averaged over one point per game, garnering nine goals and 13 assists in the 20-game playoff run that ended two wins shy of earning the Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup.
“Bruce is a huge piece of our organization. He’s an All-Star, a leader and a difference maker for our team,” Americans Head Coach and General Manager Dwight Mullins said.
Graham also noted Allen’s community helped make the decision easier. “For my personal life, Allen’s a great city. My wife and I loved everything about last year.”
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound center was a second-round draft pick of the New York Rangers in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, going fifty-first overall.
Graham joins returners Nino Musitelli and Colton Yellow Horn and newly acquired forward David Nimmo as players under contract with Allen for the 2010-11 season.
Season tickets for Allen’s second season are on sale now. Ticket prices start as low as $9 per game with free parking at the Allen Event Center. For more information, call 972-912-1000.
Photo by Amy Gutierrez.
