Meo on the Cusp of Phantoms History
Published on February 17, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
BOARDMAN, OH (Tuesday, February 17th, 2009) - When the Mahoning Valley Phantoms host the Motor City Machine at the Chevrolet Centre on Thursday night, team captain Johnny Meo will step onto the ice for his 179th game in a Phantoms uniform and into team history as he breaks Mahoning Valley's all-time record for games played.
Meo tied the current record of 178 games, held by Brent Dexter (2005-2008), in Mahoning Valley's 6-1 win at Marquette last Saturday.
The 20-year-old native of Vernon Hills, IL, played his first game as a Phantom on September 16th, 2006, a 4-3 loss to the Bismarck Bobcats at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN.
Since then he has played in 155 regular season games and 22 playoff contests, establishing a reputation as a heart-and-soul player who gives his best effort every time he's on the ice.
In his time with the Phantoms, he's racked up 102 regular season points on 28 goals and 74 assists while adding five goals and five assists in the postseason.
Meo says that his favorite part about the upcoming record is the winning tradition the Phantoms have created during his tenure in the Valley.
"On the ice, it's been wonderful," says Meo. "We've had two very successful teams over the past two years and now we're well on our way right now to our third very successful season. The last three years have been really special to me."
In those three years the Phantoms have compiled a 113-43-9 regular season record, won one North Division championship and reached two Robertson Cup Finals.
Off the ice, Johnny has played an active role in the community for the Phantoms, from participating in the team's Hockey for Health initiative, to volunteering with the United Way and Relay for Life, to going to Boardman's Oktoberfest celebration and helping festival-goers find their cars, Meo has been front and center for the Phantoms' community involvement.
Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt says that Meo goes above and beyond the call of duty to give back to the Valley.
"Johnny works just as hard off the ice as he does on the ice," says Mainhardt, who was named NAHL Coach of the Year in Meo's rookie campaign of â06-â07, "anything we ever need a player to volunteer for, he's the first guy in line. He's done more work to be involved in the community than any other player in each of his three years here."
Back on the ice, endurance has played a big part in Meo's run to 179 games played, as he has only missed nine games since the start of the 2006-2007 campaign. There are still 13 games left in the Phantoms' regular season-plus playoffs-giving the captain a lot of room to set a more untouchable mark.
Meo says that while the games played record is special, he still has his sights set on a different page in the Phantoms' history book.
"It's really important for us to win the Robertson Cup this year," says the 2007 Ursuline High School graduate. "Especially because this is a young team and I'm a captain; I want to go out on top."
Phantoms Team President Bruce J. Zoldan says Meo's Phantoms legacy will go beyond games played and championships.
"Johnny Meo has not only established the record as the Phantom who has played the most games in our history," says Zoldan, "but also as the most positive role model for the Phantoms. He has played every game in his Phantom career with a 110% commitment.
"He will be as successful in his life after hockey as he was in his hockey life. He is the type of human being that keeps me in the hockey business."
Mainhardt says he couldn't think of a better player to hold the team's games played record.
"He's the kind of player you want to get on your team and coach for as long as I have. It's been an honor to coach him-more than any other player in my career. I would take twenty Johnny Meo's in my lineup any day."
Meo and the rest of the Phantoms are back in action on Thursday when they welcome the Motor City Machine to Youngstown's Chevrolet Centre at 7:15 PM.
The game is part of the Phantoms' pre-fight series with the Machine, leading up to Kelly Pavlik's World Middleweight Title bout with Marco Antonio Rubio on Saturday, February 21st.
Friday's series finale will be preceded by Pavlik's hydration weigh-in and a pre-fight rally for the Youngstown native's title fight at the Centre.
Thursday's game will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will begin at 7:00 PM.
Special group rate tickets are available for groups of 20 or more for $6 per ticket. The Phantoms are also offering a special Knockout Package for the Pavlik fight including the last remaining ringside seats for $550.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 17, 2009
- Meo on the Cusp of Phantoms History - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Phantoms Team With Local Media to Give Away Ringside Pavlik Tickets - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Phantoms Team With Local Media to Give Away Ringside Pavlik Tickets - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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.
