Stolarz Returned to Phantoms, Knapp Returned to Reading

February 25, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Lehigh Valley Phantoms News Release

Lehigh Valley, PA - The Philadelphia Flyers, parent club of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, have returned on loan goaltender Anthony Stolarz to the Phantoms. Meanwhile, Lehigh Valley has returned on loan goaltender Connor Knapp to the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

A 21-year-old netminder from Jackson, New Jersey, Stolarz is in the midst of his first professional season and has compiled a 7-11-3 overall record with Lehigh Valley to go along with a 3.17 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. He made his professional debut on October 18th at the Adirondack Flames and earned his first professional win on November 21st with a 36-save shutout of the Worcester Sharks.

A second-round selection (45th overall) by the Flyers in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Stolarz returns after his second NHL call up. He received his first NHL call up on February 9th and served as Ray Emery's back up for games in Montreal, Columbus and Buffalo earlier this month. The 6'6", 220-pound goaltender spent the last two seasons with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) where he compiled a 38-8-4 overall mark, 2.43 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in 55 appearances.

Meanwhile, a 24-year-old goaltender from York, New York, Knapp has produced a 17-8-1 record to go along with a 2.71 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 28 games with Reading this year. This was the third recall to Lehigh Valley this season for the 6'5", 221-pound netminder who spent parts of last season with five different teams (Buffalo Sabres of the NHL, Rochester Americans of the AHL, Greenville Road Warriors, Florida Everblades and Alaska Aces of the ECHL). Knapp was originally a sixth-round selection (164th overall) by Buffalo in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

The Phantoms conclude their four-game home stand this Saturday, February 28th when Lehigh Valley welcomes the rival Binghamton Senators back to PPL Center. Saturday's contest is the ninth of 10 total meetings during the 2014-2015 regular season between the Phantoms and Senators and fourth head-to-head collision between the East Division foes this month.

A limited number of tickets for Saturday's highly-anticipated rivalry showdown are available now at the Mealey's Furniture Box Office at PPL Center (701 Hamilton), by calling 610-347-TIXX (8499) or online at pplcenter.com.

Check it out! Reserve your season tickets now for the 2015-2016 season of Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey. For more information on how to reserve your seat at PPL Center to the hottest ticket in town call the Phantoms front office today at 610-224-GOAL (4625)!

Upcoming Home Games:

Saturday, February 28, 2015 Binghamton Senators vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7:05 PM

(Little League Night!)

Friday, March 6, 2015 Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7:05 PM

(FREE Shirt Giveaway! All fans in attendance will receive a FREE Military Appreciation Phantoms shirt.)

Saturday, March 7, 2015 Portland Pirates vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7:05 PM

(Legends Night! John Slaney, 2005 Calder Cup champion, AHL Hall of Famer and the highest scoring defenseman in Phantoms history, will be at the game. FREE Collector's Edition Poster for all fans.)

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American Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2015

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• Amerks Hold off Late Comeback from Crunch for 4-3 Win - Rochester Americans
• IceCaps Dodge Pirates in Shootout - St. John's IceCaps
• Coyotes Recall Samuelsson, Assign Martinook to Portland - Portland Pirates
• Social Media Night March 4 vs. Binghamton - Norfolk Admirals
• Stolarz Returned to Phantoms, Knapp Returned to Reading - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
• Canadiens Re-Assign Dalton Thrower to Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
• Marlies Score Four to Beat Checkers - Toronto Marlies
• Minnesota Returns Keranen - Iowa Wild
• Sabres Assign McCabe to Rochester - Rochester Americans
• Checkers Come up Empty in Toronto - Charlotte Checkers
• Joe Cannata Recalled from Ontario Reign - Utica Comets
• Sound Tigers Trade Stretch to Oklahoma City - Bridgeport Islanders
• Barons Acquire CJ Stretch - Oklahoma City Barons
• Columbus Blue Jackets Recall Goaltender Oscar Dansk, Assign Anton Forsberg to Springfield - Springfield Falcons
• Lightning Reassign Andrei Vasilevskiy to Syracuse - Syracuse Crunch
• Syracuse Crunch Weekly - Syracuse Crunch
• Rangers Reassign Oscar Lindberg to Hartford - Hartford Wolf Pack
• Stars End Road Trip with a Point in 3-2 Overtime Loss - Texas Stars
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