USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantom Philes: Meet The Phantoms (parts I And Ii)

Published on August 17, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (August 17, 2009) - This is the first installment of the Phantom Philes, a weekly update from Youngstown's very own stop on the road to the National Hockey League.

The first day 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 I: Goaltenders

Matt Mahalak (muh-HALL-ick)

Height/Weight: 6-2/185

Date of Birth: 1/22/1993

Hometown: Monroe, Michigan

Previous Team: Culver (Ind.) Military Academy Prep

How Acquired: First-round selection in the USHL Futures Draft

The Scoop: The youngest Phantom, Mahalak was snatched up with the first overall pick in May's Futures Draft, in which each team picked five players born in 1993. The young man from southeastern Michigan boasts good size and off-the-charts technique and maturity. Will challenge for No. 1 goaltending spot. Older brother R.J. plays wing for the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth (Mich.) Whalers.

Coach Mainhardt Says: "Matt is a tremendous young talent who will develop quickly due to his maturity."

Jordan Tibbett

Ht/Wt: 6-1/180

DoB: 1/6/1990

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Previous: Mahoning Valley Phantoms (NAHL)

Acquired: Signed to USHL Tender

Scoop: The fiercely competitive Tibbett signed a tender agreement with the Phantoms in May, exempting him from the USHL Entry Draft and placing him directly on the 25-man roster. The Indianapolis native played the last two seasons with the NAHL's Phantoms, where he was arguably the top goalie in the league. This extremely quick and athletic 20-year-old, who played a combined 22 USHL games in 2006-07 with Omaha and Des Moines, will get a chance to excel at the Tier I level.

Coach Says: "With his on-ice experience and comfort in the Youngstown area, look for him to play an important role right away."

Part II: Defensemen

Jean-Laurence Beauchemin (BOH-shuh-min)

Ht/Wt: 6-4/187

DoB: 2/19/1991

Hometown: St. Augustin, Quebec, Canada

Previous: Russell Stover AAA (Kansas City, Mo.)

Acquired: Ninth-round selection in USHL Entry Draft

Scoop: One of two foreign imports permitted per USHL team, Quebec's own Beauchemin forced the Phantoms' hand by turning in an exceptional performance at June's tryout camp. Has legitimate potential to be a top-four D-man in the league. Plays with an edge and has the look of a pro.

Coach Says: "(Jean) will be an NHL prospect as he matures. It's kind of scary how good he could be."

J.D. Carrabino

Ht/Wt: 6-6/230

DoB: 2/17/1991

Hometown: New Canaan, Connecticut

Previous: Millbrook (N.Y.) Prep

Acquired: Second-round selection in USHL Entry Draft

Scoop: Tied with fellow blueliner Andrej Sustr for the team lead in height, Carrabino carries a serious athletic pedigree to Youngstown courtesy of his father Joe, who starred for Harvard University's basketball team in the mid 1980s. Has a lot of raw talent, including a howitzer of a shot and above average strength and checking ability.

Coach Says: "If J.D.'s work ethic matches his big-time potential, he'll attract attention both from scouts and the opposition."

David Donnellan

Ht/Wt: 6-0/185

DoB: 2/23/1990

Hometown: Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Previous: Tri-City Storm (USHL)

Acquired: Selected in USHL Expansion Draft

Scoop: A solid defensive defenseman with good character and attitude, Donnellan was Sioux Falls' first-round pick in the 2008 USHL Entry Draft. Always competes and demonstrates leadership abilities. One of the leading candidates for the Phantoms' captaincy. Only USHL-experienced D-man on roster.

Coach Says: "David will be used in key situations and will be counted on to lead by example."

Luke Eibler (EYE-blur)

Ht/Wt: 6-3/175

DoB: 3/21/1991

Hometown: Pinckney, Michigan

Previous: Victory Honda AAA (Plymouth, Mich.)

Acquired: Via trade from Indiana Ice (USHL)

Scoop: Part of the June trade that also brought D Scott Mayfield to Youngstown from the defending league champs, Eibler was the premier defenseman at the U18 AAA level in the state of Michigan last year. Enjoys the physical aspects of the sport and will hurt opponents with his crushing hits. Plays hard, rugged and mean.

Coach Says: "Luke can do a little bit of everything and do it well. Overall a very solid presence on the blue line."

Scott Mayfield

Ht/Wt: 6-3/175

DoB: 10/14/1992

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Previous: St. Louis Amateur Blues AAA

Acquired: Via trade from Indiana Ice (USHL)

Scoop: Committed to the University of Denver for the 2011-12 academic year, Mayfield burst onto the national scene this spring with dynamite showing at Midget Major Nationals. Big, rangy, tough and still growing and getting better. Pro-caliber player with very high ceiling and projected for selection in a soon-to-come NHL Entry Draft. Recently competed for Team USA in the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament in Slovakia.

Coach Says: "Scott's our youngest defenseman, but you will see him improve every single day."

Ben Paulides (paul-EE-dis)

Ht/Wt: 6-2/210

DoB: 8/26/1991

Hometown: Los Gatos, California

Previous: San Jose Jr. Sharks AAA

Acquired: Fourth-round selection in USHL Entry Draft

Scoop: Paulides played with current Phantoms teammate Dan Senkbeil in San Jose and was considered one of the best AAA defensemen in the country. Possesses good offensive instincts and competes hard every day. Trains well off the ice and is extremely fit. Wants to be a professional and will work to get there.

Coach Says: "Ben plays a rugged style and doesn't try to do too much. He makes good decisions and has a mature game."

Dan Senkbeil (SENK-bile)

Ht/Wt: 6-4/185

DoB: 9/7/1991

Hometown: Fremont, California

Previous: San Jose Jr. Sharks AAA

Acquired: First-round selection in USHL Entry Draft

Scoop: Senkbeil was the fifth overall pick in May's draft and was considered by some personnel experts to have been worthy of a selection in the following month's NHL Entry Draft. Has size, skill and puck rushing ability with more development to come. Was one of the biggest sleepers in US amateur hockey because he played on the West Coast. Chances for Division I college hockey and/or the NHL are very promising.

Coach Says: "Dan is a well-rounded NHL prospect and another big, rangy defenseman on our side this season."

Andrej Sustr (ON-dray SOOS-tur)

Ht/Wt: 6-6/195

DoB: 11/29/1990

Hometown: Plzen, Czech Republic

Previous: Kenai River (Alaska) Black Bears (NAHL)

Acquired: Signed as a free agent

Scoop: One of the biggest surprises at Phantoms tryout camp, Sustr got better with each day. A poised player, he plays a smart, steady game with a dose of grittiness tossed in. Still has two seasons of eligibility left, so he has an opportunity to move up the depth chart. Uses large wingspan to his advantage and isn't afraid to muck it up in the corners. One of two foreign imports on the Phantoms.

Coach Says: "There's no doubt that Andrej is an NHL prospect. He'll challenge for more ice time as the season goes along."

The Phantoms' forwards will be covered Tuesday in Part III of this week's Phantom Philes. Special thanks to Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Personnel Jason Koehler who contributed greatly to this piece.

Check out the Youngstown Phantoms Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from August 17, 2009


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