The Allen Americans have made their first off-season splash by signing forward Brayden Watts for the 2024-25 season. Watts joins the Americans after spending the past four seasons with the Wichita Thunder, where he scored 60 goals and added 137 assists for 197 points in 226 games; he’s also added two assists in four career Kelly Cup Playoff Games. He served as an assistant in 2022-23 before being named the captain of the Thunder for the 2023-24 season. His best season with Wichita came during the 2022-23 season, where he put up 23 goals and 40 assists for 63 points in 50 games. He would be named to the All-Star team and was named the Wichita Thunder’s MVP for the season. The California native also played four games with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL, but he failed to find the scoresheet. Prior to going pro, the 25-year-old forward spent five seasons in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors, Vancouver Giants, and Prince Albert Raiders, putting up 68 goals and 93 assists for 161 points in 315 games.
This is a huge signing for the Americans, who have had a rough off-season up to this point, losing four forwards who decided to take the overseas route. In Watts, the Americans will get a forward who can easily play on the team’s top line. He has shown that he can produce offensively and has recorded 40+ assists in each of the past two seasons. Watts becomes just the second forward to sign with the Americans for the 2024-25 season, joining Easton Brodziniski.
