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Phantoms Look to Reload in 2012 USHL Entry Draft Tomorrow

May 21, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL) Youngstown Phantoms

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms will take the next step toward building a Clark Cup contender Tuesday, May 22 when they take part in the United States Hockey League's annual entry draft. The draft is set for 5 p.m. EST and Phantoms' pick-by-pick updates will be available on USHL.com and YoungstownPhantoms.com as well as Twitter and Facebook.

The Phantoms own the ninth overall pick and eight total picks through the first nine rounds of the 2012 USHL Entry Draft. The club dealt its third-round selection to the Tri-City Storm in exchange for veteran forward Soren Jonzzon last December.

Phantoms director of player personnel Jason Koehler said that the entry draft will play integral role in shaping the identity for next season's team after the departure of veterans such as forward Mike Ambrosia and goaltender Matthew O'Connor, who moved on to the colligate level.

"We're looking at this year's entry draft to address some of the holes on our team going forward for the upcoming season," Koehler said. "We're excited about the prospects we landed in the USHL Futures Draft, but with the entry draft these are guys that we're hoping can come in and contribute immediately."

Among the players the selected in last year's USHL Entry Draft that played major roles for the Phantoms this past season were forwards Alexander Dahl (second round, 18th overall), Sam Anas (second round, 22nd overall) and Pat Conte (eighth round, 108th overall), along with defensemen Daniel Renouf (fifth round, 62nd overall) and Eric Sweetman (sixth round, 78th overall).

The 2012 USHL Entry Draft pool is made of players from the 1992 birth year and younger. The United States National Team Development Program (Team USA) does not participate in the draft as they conduct an independent player selection process, held separately but in cooperation with the USHL.

After the first nine rounds of the draft have been completed and each USHL team has 23 players on its roster, the second supplementary phase of the draft will begin. Once each team reaches 30 roster players, the draft will conclude.

Youngstown Phantoms 2012 USHL Entry Draft Picks

Round 1: 9th overall Round 4: 54th overall Round 7: 99th overall

Round 2: 24th overall Round 5: 69th overall Round 8: 114th overall

Round 3: None Round 6: 84th overall Round 9: 129th overall

Season tickets for the 2012-13 season are on sale now. For a limited time, season ticket plans for all 32 home games next season start at the low price of just $160, but only if fans lock in by July 31. Call the Phantoms office 330.747.PUCK (7825) for more information or to reserve seats today. For all the latest Phantoms news, visit www.YoungstownPhantoms.com .

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United States Hockey League Stories from May 21, 2012


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