Alt and Cousins Join Phantoms

Published on April 9, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Adirondack Phantoms have announced the additions of two new players. Mark Alt and Nick Cousins have both joined the team for the remaining games of the regular season as they both prepare for their upcoming first full season of professional hockey.

Alt joins the team on an Amateur Try-Out contract (ATO) while Cousins is officially reassigned from his Major Juniors team to the Phantoms.

Mark Alt will wear number 4 while Nick Cousins will wear number 25. Alt is slated to make his professional debut this weekend. Cousins will wear number 25 and has already played a game this season for Adirondack this past Sunday.

Mark Alt, 21, comes to the Flyers organization from the University of Minnesota where he helped the Golden Gophers to become one of the top teams in the country the past couple of seasons. The 6'4" defenseman with a right-handed shot had zero goals and seven assists with 20 penalty minutes this past season with Minnesota.

Originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round (#53 overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, he was traded along with Brian Boucher in exchange for Luke Pither on January 13, 2013. Alt chose to forego his senior season with the Gophers in order to join the professional ranks and the Flyers' organization.

"It's a huge deal," Alt said of his first days as a professional athlete. "The decision process happened this week but once I made it I've been ecstatic ever since. Getting out here and skating with the guys now has been a really cool experience."

Alt was also a talented football player and led his high school to a state championship in Minnesota as quarterback for Cretin-Derham in 2009. His father, John Alt, played offensive-tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1984-96.

Nick Cousins, 19, was a third-round selection (#68 overall) of the Flyers in the 2011 NHL Entry draft. The speedy center played with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and finished third in the Ontario Hockey League in points (103) and second in assists (76) while also scoring 27 goals.

He had 35-53-88 in 65 games with the Greyhounds the season before and was 29-39-68 in the 2010-11 season as a 17-year-old during the season in which he caught the Flyers' attention for the draft.

Cousins played in one game late last season with Adirondack before return to the Soo Greyhounds this year. He has now rejoined the team and made his season-debut this past Sunday at Bridgeport which was his second all-time game as professional.

"It's exciting," Cousins said. "To finally be able to pursue my dream. It's awesome. It's exciting. Not only for me but for my family as well. I'm just trying to get my feet wet here and learn as much as I can. I'm looking forward to the last six games."

His experience last season in which he spent a month with the team gives him familiarity with the area and his teammates. He has also attended a couple of Flyers Prospect Camps held each July at the team's training facility in Voorhees, NJ.

Cousins was linemates and roommates in Sault Ste. Marie with another one of the newest Phantoms, Brandon Alderson. Cousins is 5'11" and shoots left-handed.

Five new players to join the Phantoms from college or Major Juniors in the closing weeks of the regular season to get some of their first tastes of professional hockey include #4 Mark Alt, #8 Brandon Alderson, #25 Nick Cousins, #32 Derek Mathers and #39 Kyle Flanagan.

Fans can watch for the newest Adirondack Phantoms skaters this weekend during three straight home games. Highlights of the weekend include Dan Miner Bobblehead Night on Saturday against the Connecticut Whale with a post-game concert. Sunday will include a World Record Attempt for longest conga line on skates following the 3:00 game against the Binghamton Senators. Call the Phantoms for tickets at 518-480-3355.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central