
Grans to Flyers, Gahagen Recalled to Phantoms
November 18, 2024 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Lehigh Valley Phantoms News Release
Allentown, PA - The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled defenseman Helge Grans from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Additionally, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms have recalled goaltender Parker Gahagen from the Reading Royals of the ECHL.
Grans, 22, is a 6'4" right-handed shooting defenseman from Ljungby, Sweden. He has played in 14 games for the Phantoms this season scoring one goal with two assists for three points. Last year with Lehigh Valley, Grans played in 56 games scoring 1-7-8. Originally a Round 2 selection (#35 overall) of the Los Angeles Kings in 2020, he is in his fourth season in the American Hockey League having played 185 career games with the Ontario (Cal.) Kings and Lehigh Valley Phantoms combined scoring 11-33-44.
Grans has received time running the team's first and second power play units this season and has been valuable on the penalty kill as well.
This is the first NHL recall for Grans. If Grans plays in a game for the Flyers then he will become the 46th all-time member of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to receive a recall to Philadelphia for his NHL debut and will become the second to do so this season joining Alexei Kolosov.
Gahagen, 31, returns to the Phantoms following an eight-game stint with the Reading Royals where he went 2-5-1, 3.16, .885 so far this season. Gahagen went 2-0 in the season's opening weekend and won ECHL Player of the Week honors, the sixth time in his career receiving the award.
Last year with Lehigh Valley, the Army Captain out of Buffalo, NY performed very well in 18 games going 7-8-3, 2.59, .914 in the longest AHL stint of his career. Prior to last season, Gahagen had only played in 12 career AHL games and the most he had played in a single season was five. Gahagen was re-signed by the Phantoms for the 2024-25 season.
A fantastic moment for Gahagen and Phan Nation came in the team's regular-season finale on April 21, 2024 when the Army Captain was honored as the team's nightly Hometown Hero during the second period. While appreciating and celebrating a raucous ovation from the PPL Center crowd, Gahagen triumphantly raised his arms encouraging the fans to give him more!
Gahagen's accomplishments and tour include four years at the United States Military Academy at West Point where he starred for the hockey team. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the Army as a Second Lieutenant. While stationed at Fort Carson, CO, Gahagen was assigned to the 1st Strike Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division where he received two Army commendation medals. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 2022 at the rank of Captain but remains active in the reserves.
Gahagen has played in 30 career AHL games with Lehigh Valley, Milwaukee, Colorado, Toronto and San Jose going a combined 12-12-3, 2.87, .903. His ECHL tour has included a Kelly Cup title with the Florida Everblades in 2022 and five honors as ECHL Goaltender of the Week. The well-traveled backstop has played in 122 career ECHL games with Reading, Jacksonville, Florida, Utah and Newfoundland going 70-35-6, 2.36, .920.
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms are back in action this weekend with a pair of games at the Providence Bruins on Friday and Saturday.
Images from this story
![]() Lehigh Valley Phantoms defenseman Helge Grans |
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2024
- Henderson Silver Knights to Host Food Drive in Collaboration with Select Health this Wednesday - Henderson Silver Knights
- Game Preview: Condors v Canucks, 10:30 a.m. - Bakersfield Condors
- Moose Assign Ben Zloty to Norfolk - Manitoba Moose
- Jack Campbell Joins Grand Rapids - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Colorado Eagles Add Forward Maros Jedlicka - Colorado Eagles
- Wolf Pack Weekend Recap: November 18th, 2024 - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Amerks Bring Back Honorary Captain of the Game Program for 2024-25 Season - Rochester Americans
- Wolf Pack Recall Blake McLaughlin from Loan - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Brown Loaned to Reading - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Bojangles Game Preview: November 19 at Hartford - Charlotte Checkers
- Bojangles Game Preview: November 18 at Hartford - Charlotte Checkers
- Henderson Silver Knights to Host Hockey Fights Cancer Knight this Saturday - Henderson Silver Knights
- Checkers Extend Lease at Bojangles Coliseum - Charlotte Checkers
- Monsters Defenseman Denton Mateychuk Named Howies Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week - Cleveland Monsters
- Cleveland's Denton Mateychuk Named Howies Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Bridgeport Islanders Sign Seth Helgeson to PTO - Bridgeport Islanders
- Detroit Recalls William Lagesson from Griffins - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Belleville Sens' Week Highlighted by Historic Shootout Win in Toronto - Belleville Senators
- Bears Battle North Division Foes - Hershey Bears
- T-Birds Establish Floor Hockey Program with Springfield Public Schools - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Grans to Flyers, Gahagen Recalled to Phantoms - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Teddy Bear Toss Set for November 30 - Charlotte Checkers
- Wranglers Pick up Three Points in San Jose - Calgary Wranglers
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.
Other Recent Lehigh Valley Phantoms Stories
- Phantoms Power Play Presented by Provident Bank
- Ty Murchison Joins on ATO
- Phantoms Rocket Past Laval
- Preview: Phantoms at Rocket, Game #65
- Luchanko Debuts. Belleville Rallies Against Phantoms

