Get To Know: Allen Americans Goaltender Aaron Dell
Aaron Dell warming up (Photo courtesy of Chip Crail/CHL Photos Blog)
The goaltending duo of Aaron Dell and Steve Silverthorn has been great so for the Allen Americans, who currently sit in second place behind the first place Wichita Thunder. Over the summer, rookie goaltender Aaron Dell was waived by the ECHL Colorado Eagles and the Americans picked him up. Now he is enjoying a pretty successful start with the Americans after earning the goalie of the month award in November and then this week, he won the honors of being named CHL goalie of the week.
Goaltending has been the biggest reason why the Americans are in the second place and looking to win their first championship. During the nine wins he has so far, Dell has not allowed more than two goals in any one game. He is 9-3 with a 1.94 goals against average (second in the CHL) and a .933 save percentage (tied for first in the CHL). After a recent practice, I sat down with Aaron Dell to learn about the honor of being named CHL goalie of the week, why went to the Americans after spending three years with the University of North Dakota and his love of music.
Blackout Dallas: How does it feel to be named CHL goalie of the week?
Aaron Dell: It’s great to have goalie of the month right before so you get two in row. You can’t get unhappy about that.
BD: You went to University of North Dakota. How was it?
Dell: It was awesome. I was only there for three years but I enjoyed all three to the fullest.
BD: What did you major in?
Dell: Originally I was in music but I ended up switching to recreation and tourism studies.
BD: What is your nickname? What do your teammates call you?
Dell: Deller or Delsie.
BD: Most Memorable save? Do you have one?
Dell: Probably right now from the Friday night game in Denver, it was on the 5 minute power play.
BD: How old were you when you started playing hockey?
Dell: I guess about 4 years old.
BD: Why did you start playing hockey?
Dell: My dad played hockey when he was younger and I started playing when I was pretty young and stuck with it ever since I guess.
BD: Is it your dream to make it to the NHL?
Dell: Of course.
BD: Who were your hockey aspirations while growing up?
Dell: I was a big fan of Patrick Roy for a long time when I was really young and Felix Potvin usually. But recently say I try to play a bit like Carey Price.
BD: How do you describe your style of play?
Dell: I try to play a bigger than I am I think a little bit but I am mostly try to stay quick and as big as I can.
BD: This is your first season with the Americans.
Dell: Yea
BD: How do you like it so far?
Dell: It’s awesome here. I love it here. A great group of guys and it’s nice to not have minus 40 degree weather all the time like there is in North Dakota.
BD: Why did decided to go to Allen? Is there any reason why?
Dell: Well they got Ludwig and Belfour both were North Dakota Alumni’s so that has something to do with it for sure. It’s nice to come to two guys I know and be around guys like that.
BD: When you grew up in Alberta, what was your first hockey memory? Besides did you ever watch the Flames and see them win the Stanley Cup championships?
Dell: The year they won was the year that I was born so I didn’t get to see that one. When they did well was definitely watching and I think in 2004, I think it was. I remember watching that a lot.”
BD: You said that you were going to major in music. Do you have any favorite bands that you listen to?
Dell: Not really right now. I am just kind of all over the place. A little bit of everything.
BD: So you like music and that’s why you wanted to be a music teacher or something?
Dell: I play guitar and I figured I am going to be going to school, I might as well take some of that I enjoy but didn’t end up having enough time to practice as well as to play hockey while I was there so I ended up having to switch.
BD: What is your mask of?
Dell: It’s actually a scarecrow like the Batman type scarecrow but I did it kind of like a Felix Potvin style with the eyes and the mouth. It’s kind of a unique thing that I can keep using and changing the colors with.
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