Meet the Phantoms (Part III: Forwards)
Published on August 18, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
The beginning of training camp, much like the first day of school, is a time for excitement and nervousness, with fresh faces to learn and new personalities to adapt to.
For the Youngstown Phantoms, entering their first year in the Tier I United States Hockey League, the atmosphere is amplified by the novelty of their surroundings, even for experienced hockey minds like Head Coach/General Manager Bob Mainhardt.
"It's a gifted group of players, but we're still starting from scratch," Mainhardt said. "That being said, the sooner the leadership steps to the front, the better the team will be."
With the arrival of the first of many great days for hockey in Youngstown, there's no better time to focus on the 25 individuals that will represent the community on and off the ice for the next nine months.
Time to meet the Phantoms.
Part III: Forwards
Adam Berkle
Height/Weight: 6-4/180
Date of Birth: 8/1/1990
Hometown: Collegeville, Pennsylvania
Previous Team: Northwood (N.Y.) Prep
How Acquired: Signed to USHL Tender
The Scoop: One of the top prep school players in the country at Lake Placid, N.Y.'s Northwood School, Berkle projects to be a scoring line pro-style winger. Phantoms tendered him because they thought he would go early in the USHL Entry Draft. Has a high degree of technical skill and great hands around the goal. Out of the Philadelphia area, Adam boosted his stock dramatically after helping the Valley Forge AAA program to great success.
Coach Mainhardt Says: "Adam's a truly gifted player who will be on the NHL's radar after he gets his feet on the ground in this league."
Nick Czinder (SIN-dur)
Ht/Wt: 6-5/215
DoB: 6/12/1992
Hometown: West Bloomfield, Michigan
Previous: Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary's Prep
Acquired: Signed to USHL Tender
Scoop: Arguably the player with the most NHL potential on the Phantoms, Czinder puts his big body to use at the center position. Blessed with extremely soft hands, especially for a player of his size, he should garner large amounts of attention from pro scouts. Has the opportunity to excel if he can successfully make the adjustment from high school hockey to Tier I.
Coach Says: "Nick is a gigantic prototypical NHL power forward. He should be fun to watch."
Jefferson Dahl (DOLL)
Ht/Wt: 5-9/175
DoB: 9/13/1989
Hometown: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Previous: Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
Acquired: Selected in USHL Expansion Draft
Scoop: Voted Mr. Hockey for the state of Wisconsin in 2008, Dahl netted 15 goals and 26 points for a good Green Bay team last year. Although smaller in stature, Jefferson is a skilled playmaker and a responsible two-way center. Acquiring Dahl was one of the highlights of the Phantoms' expansion draft. A personable young man with a smile on his face, he has committed to the University of Wisconsin at Madison for next fall.
Coach Says: "(Jefferson) is a dynamic two-way forward. He'll provide a lot of energy and we'll look to him for some big goals."
Brian Dowd
Ht/Wt: 5-11/180
DoB: 4/16/1989
Hometown: Williamsville, New York
Previous: Niagara University (NCAA Division I - Atlantic Hockey)
Acquired: Via trade from Chicago Steel (USHL)
Scoop: After scoring seven goals and 24 points for Chicago in 2007-08, Dowd tried his hand at college hockey with the Niagara Purple Eagles last season, chipping in 16 points in 30 games. A legitimate scoring line centerman, he adds a healthy dose of energy, charisma and attitude. Will be loved by teammates and hated by opponents, a la the New York Rangers' Sean Avery. Has potential to be among the USHL scoring leaders if he stays out of penalty trouble.
Coach Says: "Brian brings much-needed experience to our forward corps. If he plays to his strengths, he can be a definite impact player."
Brett Gensler (GEN-slur)
Ht/Wt: 5-9/160
DoB: 11/22/1990
Hometown: St. Charles, Missouri
Previous: Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
Acquired: Selected in USHL Expansion Draft
Scoop: A St. Louis-area native who played for the AAA Amateur Blues (the same program as defenseman Scott Mayfield), Gensler surprised many by making Cedar Rapids last fall and putting up a 10-10-20 line in 52 games for the RoughRiders. Will likely play wing for Phantoms with 15-20 goal potential.
Coach Says: "Brett's a slick forward who can be used and trusted in all situations."
Michael Henderson
Ht/Wt: 5-10/185
DoB: 3/3/1989
Hometown: Bloomington, Indiana
Previous: South Surrey Eagles (British Columbia Hockey League)
Acquired: Third-round selection in USHL Entry Draft
Scoop: A Hoosier who played with fellow Phantom Tom Serratore for the Colorado Eagles AAA team, Henderson is another forward with USHL games under his belt. After splitting the 2007-08 season with the Lincoln Stars and the now-defunct Columbus Jr. Blue Jackets, Mike exploded in the British Columbia league with South Surrey, pouring in 31 goals to open many eyes. Possesses a rocket shot and complements that with some grit as well.
Coach Says: "Mike's a pure goal scorer who can really put the puck in the net when he gets his chances."
Stuart Higgins
Ht/Wt: 5-8/165
DoB: 5/8/1992
Hometown: Troy, Michigan
Previous: United States National Team Development Program
Acquired: Signed to USHL Tender
Scoop: Higgins was recruited to play for the NAHL's Mahoning Valley Phantoms before the USNTDP came calling, but he has ended up in the Youngstown area after all. Has also played for Compuware AAA in the Detroit area, which was loaded with prospects. Has opportunity to parlay his high energy and competitiveness into a spot on the Phantoms' top two lines. Has secured a scholarship to the University of Maine for next season.
Coach Says: "Stuart is a very talented young man who has only just begun to unlock his potential."
Taylor Holstrom (HOLE-strum)
Ht/Wt: 5-9/170
DoB: 4/4/1990
Hometown: Yorba Linda, California
Previous: Omaha Lancers (USHL)
Acquired: Selected in USHL Expansion Draft
Scoop: One of three California natives on the 25-man roster, Holstrom was a stand out for the L.A. Selects program before being drafted by Omaha last season. Showed off his skill level by netting eight goals and 11 assists, but is better known for his speed and energetic style.
Coach Says: "(Taylor) is a speedy playmaker with experience in the league that will make him valuable."
Ryan Jasinsky (jah-SIN-ski)
Ht/Wt: 6-3/215
DoB: 1/13/1990
Hometown: Midlothian, Virginia
Previous: Victoriaville Tigres (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)
Acquired: Signed as a free agent
Scoop: After being used in a limited role during the last two seasons with Victoriaville of the QMJHL, Jasinsky returns to his native country in a move rarely seen since playing in a Canadian Major Junior league makes a player ineligible for college play. But Jasinsky has his eye on the highest level, intending on developing his pro skills with the Phantoms. Plays the game with an attention-grabbing ferocity and will scare a lot of teams with his physicality. Might be talk of the USHL for his entertaining style. Has been invited to the Washington Capitals' rookie camp in early September.
Coach Says: "Ryan is a guaranteed fan favorite. He's big, tough and knows how to play the game. Let's just say he can hurt the opposition in many ways."
Andrew Lamont
Ht/Wt: 5-11/170
DoB: 10/28/1991
Hometown: West Chester, Pennsylvania
Previous: Philadelphia Jr. Flyers AAA
Acquired: Seventh-round selection in USHL Entry Draft
Scoop: Lamont, a high school senior from near Philly, has both scoring ability and a defensive conscience. May need an adjustment period to get his feet wet, but once he does he could take off at a rapid pace. Plays with an edge and will physically engage the opposition. Has potential to be an elite forward at a D-I college.
Coach Says: "Andrew is a slippery young player with a creepy set of abilities that could put a scare into other teams."
Cole Schneider (SHNIDE-er)
Ht/Wt: 6-2/180
DoB: 8/26/1990
Hometown: Williamsville, New York
Previous: Mahoning Valley Phantoms (NAHL)
Acquired: Signed as a free agent
Scoop: Schneider, who hails from the Buffalo area, is one of two Mahoning Valley players to make the USHL Phantoms. Cole is committed to the University of Connecticut for next fall, so he'll get one more chance to follow up on last year's 17-goal performance in the Tier II NAHL. Signs point to another productive year in Youngstown, then a promising career as a Huskie.
Coach Says: "As we've seen from his experience playing in Youngstown, Cole is a proven raw goal scorer."
Tom Serratore (SARE-uh-TORE-ee)
Ht/Wt: 5-11/190
DoB: 7/16/1989
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Previous: Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Acquired: Selected in USHL Expansion Draft
Scoop: The son of Air Force Academy men's hockey coach Frank Serratore, Tom is the epitome of a team player. Has a fantastic work ethic and motivation level, as evidenced by his willingness to run over anybody if that's what it takes to win. Will be a team leader and is potential captain material. Can provide energy to both scoring and checking lines. Twin brother Tim also plays hockey.
Coach Says: "Tom is all heart and soul. You need players like him. He'll be an instant favorite at the Covelli Centre."
Cody Strang
Ht/Wt: 5-8/160
DoB: 8/25/1990
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
Previous: Madison (Wisc.) Edgewood High School
Acquired: Fifth-round selection in USHL Entry Draft
Scoop: A tremendous athlete, Strang was honored as Wisconsin's Mr. Hockey 2009 this spring. Was a sleeper in the draft due to his size, but smarts and agility make him an impact centerman. Likely to develop into top scorer, both in this league and when he gets to his hometown University of Wisconsin in the fall of 2011. Played on Edgewood's state champion golf team.
Coach Says: "Another dynamic player with skill to spare. Cody sticks his nose in all the battles and wins more than his share."
Richard Young
Ht/Wt: 6-3/210
DoB: 8/26/1991
Hometown: Atco, New Jersey
Previous: Philadelphia Little Flyers (AJHL)
Acquired: Signed as a free agent
Scoop: Richard was playing center for the Little Flyers, but the Phantoms will look to fit his large frame in the depth chart as a winger. Has a projectable body and could blossom into a power forward/heavyweight enforcer role before his time in Youngstown is up. Could learn much from just watching Ryan Jasinsky.
Coach Says: "(Richard) is a big, tough young power forward who's going to get better every time you see him."
Joe Zarbo
Ht/Wt: 6-1/180
DoB: 8/10/1991
Hometown: Grand Island, New York
Previous: Tri-City Storm (USHL)
Acquired: Signed as a free agent
Scoop: Committed to Clarkson University next fall, Zarbo will complete his Tier I career with the Phantoms after spending last season in Kearney, Neb., with the Storm. The Buffalo-area native has a shooter's mentality and displayed that last year by depositing 17 goals for a last-place team. Experienced a character-building situation and should flourish in Youngstown while skating alongside playmakers. Older brother Mark played for the NAHL Phantoms from 2003-05; Joe skated with younger brother Matt in Tri-City.
Coach Says: "Look for Joe to live up to his billing and break out with us this year. He's a pure goal scorer."
Special thanks to Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Personnel Jason Koehler who contributed greatly to this piece.
United States Hockey League Stories from August 18, 2009
- Meet the Phantoms (Part III: Forwards) - Youngstown Phantoms
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