The Allen Americans signed returning forward Lukas Sillinger for the 2026-27 season on Thursday, Aug. 27, looking for the left wing to deliver the offensive production that hip surgery kept in check last year.
Sillinger, 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, played just 28 professional games in 2025-26 after the surgery delayed his start.
He opened that season with the Florida Everblades, appearing in seven games for the club that went on to capture the 2026 Kelly Cup. Florida beat the Kansas City Mavericks four games to two in the finals, clinching the title with a 5-4 double-overtime win in Game 6.
Sillinger then joined Allen and recorded two goals and 10 assists in 21 games.
Head coach and general manager Steve Martinson said the Regina, Saskatchewan, native's college numbers at Arizona State University are the standard he expects.
"We are looking for him to put up the offense this year like he did in college," Martinson said in the team's announcement. "He will be attending Tucson Roadrunners Camp in September, which will enable him to start the season at full speed."
At Arizona State, Sillinger averaged better than a point per game in three of his four seasons. He posted 48 points in 2023-24.
The Tucson Roadrunners are the American Hockey League affiliate of the Utah Mammoth, one step below the NHL.
A strong camp could push Sillinger up the development pipeline that connects Allen's ECHL roster to the NHL's Ottawa Senators.
Martinson, who won Kelly Cup titles with Allen in 2015 and 2016, is building the roster for the Americans' 18th season of professional hockey.
The Americans open the regular season Oct. 17 at the Tulsa Oilers.
The home opener is Thursday, Oct. 29, when Allen hosts the Idaho Steelheads at Comerica Center in Frisco.
That game marks the first time the Americans will play at the venue.
A second matchup against Idaho follows Friday, Oct. 30.
