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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Jasinsky Fighting for Large Role with Phantoms

August 27, 2009 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (August 27, 2009) - The popularity of mixed martial arts has increased dramatically in recent years, and the sport of hockey is not immune to its influence.

A notable moment from this past NHL season was when the league powers-that-be officially banned the use of forearm shivers and elbow shots during on-ice fights, due to the preponderance of pro enforcers adding MMA-style tactics to their repertoires.

The Youngstown Phantoms have their own MMA aficionado on their roster, but don't expect 6-3, 215-pound Ryan Jasinsky to play a one-dimensional role a la NHL badboys Derek Boogaard and Georges Laraque. Rather, the 19-year-old from the Richmond, Va., area has come to northeast Ohio with the goal of polishing his power forward bona fides.

"Being in Youngstown is a great opportunity for me," Jasinsky said after a weekday practice at the Ice Zone in Boardman. "I'm not here to play a limited role or go out once or twice a period and drop [the gloves]. I'm going to get more ice time and I'm working on becoming a better all-around player."

Ice time was something Jasinsky received in only a limited fashion during his previous two seasons with the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, but even though his canvas space was limited he still managed to paint a clear picture of his pugilistic abilities - 96 penalty minutes in 64 games.

According to Jasinsky, that number could've been a lot higher last season if he, well, hadn't been so good at his job.

"Last year I [fought] a few guys early in the season, but [the pace] started dropping off toward the end because no one wanted to go with me after a while," he said.

His PIM totals aside, Jasinsky was dissatisfied with his compartmentalized role in Victoriaville, so he reached out to the Phantoms prior to their June tryout camp with the intent of putting his skills on display for Head Coach/General Manager Bob Mainhardt and the rest of the hockey operations staff.

Following a strong performance at the Ice Zone, the Phantoms brought Jasinsky onboard as a free agent, allowing him to play Tier I hockey just a few hundred miles from his hometown.

"The [Phantoms] coaching staff showed a lot of interest from the start," Jasinsky said. "They were very respectful and really like a family, which is something nice to come to."

From the Phantoms' standpoint, what's not to like about size, strength and a caustic attitude?

"Ryan's a big, strong, committed guy who's not afraid to get his nose dirty and do what it takes," Mainhardt said. "But we see something much more than that. We see someone who can score goals, be an offensive threat and play a role in all areas of the game. We're trying to show him we have confidence he can be that well-rounded power forward who plays with a chip on his shoulder."

None other than the NHL's Washington Capitals are also intrigued by Jasinsky's combination of talents, enough that they invited him to skate at their rookie camp early next month.

"I saw Ryan play in Victoriaville and knew that he was big and tough," said Capitals Director of Player Development Steve Richmond. "We're lacking in young toughness in our organization because those types of guys are hard to find. It's a difficult job, but what we want to find out about Ryan is his level of skill and hockey sense. We decided to bring him in and get a close look at what he can do."

Jasinsky and the rest of the camp invitees will report to the Kettler Capitals Complex in Arlington, Va., Monday, Sept. 6 for physical examinations and tests, followed by a week of drills and guidance spearheaded by the Capitals' coaching staff. The convocation will conclude Saturday, Sept. 11 with a game versus the participants at the Philadelphia Flyers' rookie gathering.

If he can impress the right people during his week in our nation's capital, Jasinsky could possibly earn the right to participate at the Caps' training camp alongside his favorite player, Washington megastar and two-time defending NHL MVP Alex Ovechkin.

But although that perk would be nice, Jasinsky's real goal is simply to make a lasting impression.

"Hopefully I show up and do really well," he said. "Then maybe I can play on one of their farm teams [the AHL's Hershey Bears and the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays] or even with the big club in the next few years."

Mainhardt, for one, doesn't doubt Jasinsky's legitimate pro prospects.

"He's got the potential [to go to the NHL]," he said. "Obviously he's willing to work hard and sacrifice the body, which is the biggest thing. If he can prove himself this year, I think the sky's the limit, but these next couple of years are really important."

Jasinsky is certainly acting like he wishes to take his development to the next level.

"I've been a guy who takes a while to get into the rhythm of a game, so the main thing I'm working on is consistency - playing every shift the same way and bringing the intensity for every game," he said. "To get to that point, I'm working on my conditioning, my hands, my [skating] and just trying to become a better all-around player."

Jasinsky's conditioning in particular has improved greatly after finding a unique workout facility near his home that's tailored to his style of play.

"I've been going to an MMA gym for about two years now," he said. "It definitely improves your fighting technique, but the cardio[vascular] workout is just incredible. [MMA fighters] hardly do any weightlifting because they use their own bodyweight in most exercises, but they're bigger than a lot of bodybuilders I know and they're much more flexible and quick."

Could the young man who lists current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar as one of his role models become the USHL's own dominant combatant?

"I'm sure there's going to be a few guys [who want to fight]," said Jasinsky, a grin creeping onto his face.

"We'll see how it goes."

The Youngstown Phantoms are a Member Club of the United States Hockey League (USHL), America's only Tier I hockey league and premier developer of National Hockey League talent with more than 100 alumni on current NHL rosters.

Visit www.youngstownphantoms.com or call the Front Office at 330.747.PUCK(7825) for more information on the Phantoms organization. The Youngstown Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company (Phantom Fireworks), located in Youngstown, Ohio.

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