AMERKS OCTOBER 2024 REPORT CARD

Individual standouts lead to straight A’s to start 2024-25 season

Nov 7, 2024

October is officially in the books for the Rochester Americans. In the opening month of the team’s 69^th season, the Amerks posted a .500 record, going 3-3-0-0, but the results within those results tell a story of a team much better than its win/loss columns suggest. We’ve seen it early on in November as momentum from October has carried over.

While the team picked up three wins last month, there were individual highlights that stood out above all else. Let’s dive in:

The end of October marked the end of Michael Leone’s first month as a head coach in the AHL. The 34^th head coach in franchise history saw his team play to a consistent identity that’s seen improvement each and every game.

“I don’t take it for granted,” said Leone when recapping his first month with the Amerks. “It’s a privilege to come to the rink every day and it’s still surreal for me. I love it here. It’s always easier when you have a great support staff and players who work really hard. I’m living the dream and I’m very thankful to be here.”

The Dearborn, Michigan, native is the second youngest active coach in the league. Leone previously served as head coach for Green Bay in the USHL over the last two seasons.

“I really respect Leo (Leone) and the career he’s had,” said Mason Jobst, whom Leone named as the 64^th captain in Amerks history ahead of starting the season. “He’s his own man and does things his own way, which I really respect. So far, so good.”

It took Amerks forward Tyson Kozak all of seven games to tie his previous career high of five goals in a season. He did that in each of the last two years in 41 and 55 games, respectively.

“We think he could be a 15-goal scorer,” said Leone earlier in October. “We believe in him. He’s the straw that stirs the drink on any line he plays on. He’s a young kid and he’s a big part of our identity as a team. I know he’s a checker and he kills penalties, but I think there’s more there offensively. I really do.”

Kozak scored in Rochester’s home opener against Belleville, then found the back of the net in each of the last three games in October. He leads Rochester with five goals this season.

“I feel pretty good,” said Kozak. “It feels pretty good to match my career highs this early into the…