Divyne Appollon, a 21-year-old forward who has played in five leagues, is competing for a roster spot at Allen Americans training camp.
The Seat Pleasant, Maryland, native is one of several rookies trying to crack the roster as the Americans wrap camp at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center Community Rink. Camp opened Sunday, Oct. 4, and the regular season begins Saturday, Oct. 17, in Tulsa against the Oilers.
At 6-foot-3 and 249 pounds, Appollon brings size the Americans value. Head coach and general manager Steve Martinson called him "the toughest young heavyweight in the league" when the team announced his signing in August.
The numbers back up the label. In 20 games with the Amarillo Wranglers of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) during the 2024-25 season, Appollon racked up 168 penalty minutes.
He spent parts of three seasons in Amarillo before moving to the Northeast Generals.
From there, the path wound through three more leagues in a single season. He played for the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), the Quad City Storm of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) and the Pee Dee Icecats of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL).
That winding journey led to a two-game ECHL cameo with Allen in March against the South Carolina Stingrays. The brief taste stuck with him.
"It was a great experience for me. The players were so nice and helpful," Appollon told the Americans' media team on Thursday, Oct. 8, Day 5 of camp. "Coach Martinson is one of the best coaches in hockey."
Martinson's record is hard to argue with. The veteran bench boss has won four championships with the Americans and 10 titles across four leagues, according to ECHL.com. The Americans are the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Ottawa Senators.
Appollon said the jump from Single A to the ECHL is clear. He described the speed and talent as a step up from the SPHL and FPHL rosters he skated with last season.
After practice on Oct. 8, Appollon was spotted sparring in a friendly manner with teammates, showing off his fighting technique. He knows what he brings.
"I know my job. I know why I'm here," Appollon said. "I'm going to stick to my style of play and hope it's good enough to stick around."
The Americans open the 2026-27 regular season, their 18th as a professional franchise, on Oct. 17 at the BOK Center in Tulsa. The home opener is Thursday, Oct. 29, at Comerica Center in Frisco against the Idaho Steelheads, the first Americans game at that venue.
