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Phantoms Forward JJ Piccinich Commits to Boston University

September 6, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL) Youngstown Phantoms

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms and head coach Anthony Noreen take great pride in announcing that forward JJ Piccinich has committed to play collegiate hockey at Boston University beginning in Fall 2014. Piccinich, 16, is entering his first season with the Phantoms after signing a United States Hockey League tender in April.

Piccinich (pronounced pik-nik) becomes 11th player on the Phantoms' current roster, and first this season, to commit to play NCAA Division I hockey.

"We're very proud of JJ," Noreen said. "He's yet to play his first game in our jersey but we spent a year scouting him and obviously got to know him quite well. We're extremely fortunate that he chose our program and we're excited to work with him for the next few years before he moves on to Boston."

Piccinich, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound winger from Paramus, N.J., played last season with the Under-16 North Jersey Avalanche AAA team of the Atlantic Youth Hockey League. In 22 games last season, he netted 23 goals and added 19 assists for 42 points. His 23 goals and 42 points we both tops in the entire AYHL.

He said Boston's staff, led by head coach Jack Parker, who ranks No. 3 on the all-time NCAA wins list with an 853, and team's rich history played a big role in his commitment.

"I'm just happy to be a Terrier. The coaching staff is great and it's such a great program with excellence throughout it. It was an easy decision," Piccinich said. "I'm really looking forward to focusing the next two years with the Phantoms and using this commitment [as motivation] to help me."

The Terriers are five-time national champions, with their most recent title coming in 2009. Last season Boston finished second in Hockey East with a 17-9-1 record (23-15-1 overall) last season, and advanced to the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.

Former Phantoms goaltender Matthew O'Connor, the franchise's all-time leader in wins, is a freshman on Boston's roster this season.

Opening Weekend is Friday and Saturday Sept. 28-29 at the Covelli Centre. The Phantoms take on the Omaha Lancers Friday night and the Des Moines Buccaneers on Saturday night. Puck drop is set for 7:15 p.m. both nights.

Season tickets for the 2012-13 season are on sale now starting at the low price of just $7 a game. Benefits include invitations to exclusive season ticket holder events, discounts at the Phantoms Team Shop, playoff priority and much more. Call 330.747.PUCK (7825) for more information or to reserve seats today. For all the latest news, visit www.YoungstownPhantoms.com, follow the Phantoms on Twitter ( @YtownPhantoms ) and "˜like' them on Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/YoungstownPhantoms ).

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United States Hockey League Stories from September 6, 2012


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