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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Add Size and Experience in Phase II

May 6, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OH- The Anderson Cup champion Youngstown Phantoms wrapped up the 2015 USHL Draft by selecting 20 players in Phase II on Tuesday. The Phantoms added some size and experience on day two, as nine of the selections are six-feet tall or taller, and four have previous junior hockey experience. Additionally, six Phase II selections hold NCAA commitments.

Round 2: Patrick Shea, F, Marshfield, MA

The 5'11" 185lb center is coming off of solid year for Kimball Union Prep, amassing 39 points (19g, 20a) in 33 games played. He is not alone in the Phantoms' system, as his brother, Neil, was Youngstown's ninth round selection in Phase I of this year's draft. He already has plans for college, as he is committed to the University of Maine; the same school where former Phantoms Cam Brown, Daniel Renouf, and Sean Romeo currently play. Additionally, former Phantoms Stu Higgins and Ryan Lomberg also played college hockey there, and Phantoms assistant coach John Ronan is a former captain. He has strong bloodlines in hockey, as his father, Neil Sr., played at Boston College, and is now a scout for the Colorado Avalanche.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "Shea is a two-way forward that can play a complete game all over the ice and is a strong scoring threat. He has a very high hockey IQ, and is a player you hate to play against, and want on your team during playoff time. He goes to the dirty areas and drives the net for goals, hits hard, and is a hard, physical presence."

Round 3: Laine McKay, F, Thunder Bay, ONT

Standing at 6'2", and weighing in at 193lbs, McKay accounted for 22 goals and 26 assists in 51 games with the Hamilton Red Wings of the OJHL. Hailed by many as one of the top Ontario-based prospects, McKay has a commitment to Merrimack College, where former Phantom Alfred Larsson currently plays, and former head coach Curtis Carr resides.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "He made a big change leaving home this year to join Hamilton as a high school age player. He can play center or wing, and gives us a big bodied forward that can play in all situations and roles."

Round 4: Cameron Morrison, F, Aurora, ONT

The Phantoms added more size with this selection, adding the 6'3" center/wing from the OJHL's Aurora Tigers. His 53 points (31g, 22a) ranked fourth on the team and sixth in the League this season as only a high school junior, and he was recently named OJHL Rookie of the Year, becoming the second youngest player to claim that honor. He was also named to the OJHL's All-Prospects First Team- the youngest member on the team. He already holds a commitment to the University of Notre Dame.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "Morrison is the top goal scorer I saw this season while scouting. He has the ability to be a standout top-six scoring line winger, and has outstanding size, sense, and goal scoring ability. In my opinion, he has the chance to be a top-three round NHL Draft selection in the 2016 draft."

Round 4: Garrett Hall, F, Troy, MI

Hall spent last season playing for the Honeybaked U18 team out of Detroit, under former Phantom bench boss Bob Mainhardt. He accounted for 14 goals and 10 assists last season, leading the team and ranking seventh in the league in overall scoring.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "He was our top-rated forward from the U18 AAA level in Michigan this season. He's a big bodied power forward (6'3", 196lbs) that can dominate the game when he wants to."

Round 6: Brandon Estes, D, Richardson, TX

Estes is the first of six defensemen selected by the Phantoms in Phase II. At 5'10", 157, Estes suited up for Dallas Stars Elite U18 AAA team last season, ranking eighth in the league in defenseman scoring.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "He was one of the top U18 AAA defenseman from the Tier One Elite League this season. He is extremely skilled and a quality puck mover on the backend."

Round 8: Austin Beaulieu, F, Coral Springs, FL

The 5'9", 170lb junior-experienced, scoring line winger was second in scoring for the Wichita Falls Wildcats of the NAHL, totaling 22 goals and 33 assists, in his first year of junior hockey. He was named to the NAHL's All-Rookie Second team, and South Division All-Rookie Team, after his breakout season. He holds a commitment to the University of Alabama-Huntsville

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "He has dynamic skill, along with great power play and offensive ability, and is a very intelligent puck manager and distributor. He really exploded on the scene this year after a few good years in AAA hockey."

Round 9: Jason Tackett, F, West Chester, IN

Tackett suited up for Pembroke and Kemptville of the OJHL last season, totaling 21 goals and 45 assists in 56 games played. He moved away from home to play for the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets AAA program, and was on the same team as former Phantoms Kiefer Sherwood, and Connor McDonald. He has already secured a commitment to Ferris State University, which is where former Phantom Ryan Lowney currently plays.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "He was one of the top available Americans playing junior hockey in Canada last season, and can play center or wing on any line and in any way you need him. He provides junior-experienced veteran presence, as well."

Round 10: Andrew Petrillo, D, Pompton Plains, NJ

One of the top rated available 1998-born defensemen, Petrillo accounted for six goals and 17 assists in 28 games for the Delbarton School; the same school that produced former Phantoms Mike Ambrosia, Tommy Davis, and Josh Melnick.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "He's a mobile defender who can skate and move the puck effectively. He has a bite to his game, and is a top-pair defender for Delbarton, who is a yearly New Jersey High School championship contender."

Round 11: Connor O'Brien, G, Pinellas Park, FL

O'Brien is the first of two goaltenders selected in Phase II of the draft for the Phantoms. He was recently invited to the elite level Warren Strelow Goaltending Camp run by USA Hockey in Ann Arbor, MI, occurring this month, and spent most of the season on the NHL Central Scouting Draft List for the upcoming 2015 NHL Draft in June. He finished the season with a 3.32 GAA and .921 SV % as the number one goalie on his club.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "Connor is one of the top incoming USHL goalies from prep school hockey out of the New England Region. He is a butterfly goalie with good fundamentals, and was one of only six goaltenders invited to the USA NTDP Tryout Camp out of the 1997 birth class three years ago."

Round 12: Jack Dugan, F, Rochester, NY

A power forward who played for McQuaid Jesuit out of Rochester, NY last season, Dugan won a state title, was named a First Team All-Star and the Player of the Year, and broke the team's single season scoring record formerly held by ex-NHL'er Marty Reasoner.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "We felt he was one of the top available power forward options for us in the draft, and is someone that will turn heads with his combination of scoring touch and physical play that may have been under the radar for some."

Round 13: Chase Gresock, F, Powell, OH

The 5'11" forward led the Columbus Jr. Blue Jackets U16 AAA team in scoring last season, and finished second in both overall and goal scoring in the Tier One Elite U16 League. He finished right behind Phantoms Affiliate-Lister Grant Cruickshank in both categories.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "One of the top 1998 born prospects available at the forward position for us down the line. He's a top young Columbus, OH, area player and prospect hopefully in the line of the Sherwood brothers (Kiefer and Kole) with us."

Round 14: Sean Petrie, D, Morristown, NJ

The second Delbarton product selected by the Phantoms in Phase II, Petrie accounted for five goals and four assists in 28 games last season. He served as team captain this season, as well.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "Serving as a captain and leader for his club, Sean is a strong, tough, defensive defenseman who played in all situations on the club's top defensive pairing."

Round 15: Luke Lynch, F, Pittsburgh, PA

Lynch is the second NAHL product selected by the Phantoms. He played last season with the Johnstown Tomahawks, and accounted for 15 goals and seven assists in 56 games played. His older brother, Zac, plays NCAA hockey at Robert Morris.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "Luke is a very strong, tough, and thick power forward. He was very valuable in Johnstown as a utility player who could play center or wing and on any line."

Round 16: Erik Nilsson, D, Grand Rapids, MI

Nilsson skated in 63 games with the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies last season, accounting for seven goals and six assists. He was one of the top available Michigan-based 1999-born defensemen.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "He is a very involved and aggressive defenseman. He's an elite skater and contributes all over the ice. He loves to hit hard, and resembles former Phantom Eric Sweetman now at St. Lawrence."

Round 17: Jacob Golden, D, Toronto, ONT

Golden is a high-level 1999 born defense prospect from north of the border. He accounted for seven goals and 20 assists for the Mississauga Rebels Minor Midget AAA program, and has secured a commitment to Harvard University, where former Phantoms player and assistant coach Rob Rassey is currently an assistant.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "He's another effective and intelligent puck moving defenseman for us down the line. Jacob is a quick skater, and loves to get involved offensively."

Round 18: Robert Proner, D, Oakville, ONT

Standing at 6'1" and weighing in at 218lbs, Proner is a defensive presence that will provide some toughness and physicality down the road for the Phantoms.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "He is a big bodied defender and one of the top available 1999 defensemen in Ontario. Robert is very strong, tough, and physical, and will not back down. He blocks shots and plays the right way in his own end while also contributing offense, and will develop into an impact top four defenseman for us in time."

Round 19: Joe Dragonjac, G, Beaver Falls, PA

One of the top 1999 born goaltending prospects in the USA, Dragonjac posted a 2.70 GAA and .904 SV % this season for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite AAA organization. He is already familiar with the Phantoms to a degree, as he trains with Phantoms' Goaltending Coach, Shane Clifford, in Pittsburgh.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "We hope over the next one to two seasons he develops into a top USHL goaltending prospect in the vein of other elite Pittsburgh area goaltenders over the last few years like Rob Madore, John Gibson, Matt Skoff, Greg Lewis, Jake Hildebrand, and current Phantom Colin DeAugustine (all trained by Shane Clifford). Like previous draft pick Conor O'Brien, .was recently invited to the elite level Warren Strelow Goaltending Camp run by USA Hockey in Ann Arbor, Michigan occurring this month."

Round 20: Ben Neuman, F, Toronto, ONT

The third player selected this year out of Don Mills in the draft, Neuman posted a scoring line of 38-40-78 line in 62 games for Don Mills this season. He was also teammates with Phantoms tender Jacob Tortora, and Phase I selection Brad Cocca.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "He is an elite level scoring line forward that has the ability to be an impact top six forward down the road. Possessing a high hockey IQ, he plays with pace and awareness and strong desire to score and a threat to every time he is on the ice."

Round 21: Luke Stevens, F, Daxbury, MA

Son of former Pittsburgh Penguin Kevin Stevens, Luke accounted for 11 goals and 18 assists in 23 games for the Noble and Greenough School this past season. He also suited up alongside Phantoms Affiliate players Ryan Shea, Pat Kramer, and Luke McInnis, and helping his team advance to the U18 Midget Nationals in Buffalo this season. He also holds an NCAA commitment to Yale University.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "Stevens is a giant pro-style winger with strong hockey sense, who is ranked 149 amongst North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting's final rankings for the upcoming NHL Draft. He has also had the opportunity to play with a number of future Phantoms currently on our affiliate list over the past few seasons"

Round 22: Nicholas Grima, D, Toronto, ONT

The 5'11", 192lb defenseman spent last season with the Toronto Titans Minor Midget AAA program, where accounted for three goals and five assists in 30 games played. He was also a force in the Titans' Minor Midget Tournament, scoring a goal and adding three assists. He also saw a four-game stint with the St, Michael's Buzzers of the OJHL.

Assistant General Manager Jason Koehler Says: "He is another one of the top available 1999-born, Ontario based defensemen. He has good size and physical play from the back end, and is a two way defenseman that can play in all situations for us down the road. He also possesses strong skating ability, and makes the simple play with the puck, which we appreciate and value."

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