The Americans won four categories in the Central Hockey League’s Best of the Best. The annual poll highlights and identifies the top three teams in 46 different categories voted on by hockey operations staffs, players and team media representatives.
 
In Allen’s first year of existence, the club took home the top spot for Best Team Logo, Best Team Uniforms, Best City and Best Host Hotel.

 
The Americans take pride in their logo that spotlights the colors of the City of Allen and Collin County (red, white and blue). The team partnered with Chase Hargrove of Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers who combined a star, shield and flying puck to design a unique, edgy logo that reflects the patriotism of Allen and the affiliation with the Dallas Stars.
 
The credit for Best Team Uniform is due to Americans Owner and President Steve Duchesne and Head Coach and General Manager Dwight Mullins. The recognition from league peers is the third time that Americans uniforms have been acknowledged this season. The Hockey News has featured Allen’s jerseys twice, once for its clean blue jerseys and once for the throwback Dallas Black Hawk sweaters the club wore in its first North Texas Vintage Game Series against Metroplex rival Texas.
 
Being named Best City is a great tribute to the City of Allen, Mayor Steve Terrell and the city staff that have been so supportive of the expansion club since its inception.
 
Allen’s official hotel is the Courtyard Marriott, adjacent to the Allen Event Center and located in The Village at Allen. The hotel opened in January and features a customer-focused design that allows guests to be more comfortable and productive and has 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.
 
CHL All-Star Justin Bowers was voted third in Best Overall Player by his peers, while blueliner Chris Kaufman was second Best Defensive Defenseman. Bruce Graham got nods in the Most Underrated Player and Best Player on Face-offs categories to finish third in each.
 
Head Equipment Manager Patrick Stevens and Head Athletic Trainer/Strength and Conditioning Coach Brent Woodside received the second most votes for Best Training and Equipment Staff. The Ice Angels were voted one of the top two cheerleading/dance teams, while the Allen Event Center was in the top three arenas for concessions. The Allen Event Center offers food from local restaurants like Bar-B-Cutie and El Grande Burrito and other places like Cici’s Pizza and Dippin’ Dots.

For a complete list of this year's results, go to www.centralhockeyleague.com