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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Acquire Three Players in Dispersal Draft

April 25, 2019 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


The Youngstown Phantoms acquired the USHL playing rights to three players through the 2019 Central Illinois Flying Aces Dispersal Draft on Monday morning.

The Phantoms acquired forwards Bradley Marek, Robbie Griffin, and Tomas Vochazka.

The Dispersal Draft was held due to the Central Illinois Flying Aces not returning to the USHL for the 2019-2020 season. All age eligible returning USHL players and Affiliate players for the Flying Aces were available to be selected by USHL clubs.

"We are extremely happy with how today's draft went", said Phantoms' General Manager Jason Koehler. "You never like to see teams fold or have what happened today, but sometimes it does and we all have to move on, especially the student-athletes. We feel today we added two great pieces that we can be excited about for our team next season."

The Phantoms' first selection was 6'2 225 lbs. forward Bradley Marek. Marek completed his second season with the Flying Aces and put up 11 goals and 18 points in 62 games this past season in the USHL. The Big Rapids, Michigan native is a 2000 birth year and is committed to Michigan State University. "Bradley's got two years of junior experience under his belt in the NAHL and USHL and has the versatility to play a power forward role as a centreman or wing for us which is great for our staff and team flexibility, he'll be a perfect Phantom," said Koehler.

6'0 175 lbs. 2001 born forward Robbie Griffin was the next pick for the Phantoms. Griffin played the last two seasons in the NCDC league with the Boston Jr. Bruins and won the NCDC Championship last month. In 50 games Griffin put up 8 goals and 42 points. "Robbie is a player we've tracked for the past three seasons even before he was originally drafted in the USHL" said Koehler. "Griffin is a high skill forward and playmaker who's been very successful in two seasons of junior hockey already and has been a winner." Griffin is committed to Northeastern University and hails from Burlington, Massachusetts.

With their final pick, the Phantoms selected 6'0 180 lbs. 1999 born forward Tomas Vochazka from the Czech Republic. Vochazka played for the Flying Aces this season and also for the NAHL's Chippewa Steel. "Tomas will not be joining our club as he will be playing professional hockey in Europe next season. We retain his rights if there were to be a change in his plans, but at this stage we do not see that happening. We understood this when we made the selection so there were no surprises here," said Koehler.

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