Allen, Texas- The Allen Americans announced the team has signed an agreement with the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators and American Hockey League’s Belleville Senators for the 2025-26 season.
“We’re proud to once again team up with the Allen Americans as our ECHL affiliate for the 2025-26 season,” said Belleville Senators General Manager Matt Turek. “Having a solid affiliate will be significantly beneficial to both clubs and provide a clear pathway to the NHL. We have the utmost trust in the leadership of Coach Steve Martinson and his staff, and we’re confident they’ll provide the right atmosphere for Senators players to continue to grow.”
The Americans will begin their 17th season of professional hockey this October. Over the previous 16 years of play, first in the Central Hockey League, from 2009-13, and then in ECHL since 2014-15, the Americans have made five trips to the league finals and won four championships.
This will be the third time 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 through Belleville, several key players have made stops in DFW including Goalie Leevi Merilainen, who has played a total of 14 games with the Ottawa Senators. 12 of the 14 came last year when he produced a record of 8-3-1, with a 1.99 GAA. Defenseman Donavan Sebrango, and Goalie Kevin Mandolese, have also seen action at the National Hockey League level.
Since becoming a Double A franchise in 2009-2010, the Americans have worked with the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche while in the Central Hockey League, and the Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild, Seattle Kraken, and Utah Hockey Club since joining the ECHL.
“This affiliation has so much potential for the Americans,” said Head Coach Steve Martinson. “Having many conversations with Matt Turek (Belleville Senators GM), and Sean McCauley (Manager of Hockey Operations Ottawa Senators), we know that they like the same style of play as we do in Allen. It’s great to be able to work in concert to add elite players to our roster.”