USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Among Teams Selected For USHL Atlantic Challenge

Published on June 7, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


CHICAGO - The Youngstown Phantoms have been selected to take part in the inaugural USHL Atlantic Challenge, the League announced today. The preseason event, which will be held Sept. 6-8 in New York and New Jersey, will be the largest exhibition of USHL talent outside the League's Midwest base in its 11-year history as USA Hockey's only Tier 1 junior league.

"We are very honored and excited to be among the teams chosen to take part in this year's USHL Atlantic Challenge," head coach Anthony Noreen said. "Our program has very strong roots in the region and we look forward to being able to showcase this league and at the same time, showcase these young men, not just in front of friends and family, but in front decision-makers for some of the top NCAA programs and NHL teams."

First announced in February, the USHL Atlantic Challenge will be hosted by a trio of youth and junior hockey organizations on the East Coast - the Long Island Gulls, New York Bobcats, and North Jersey Avalanche. In addition to the preseason games played by USHL teams, the event will feature an invitational tournament for some of the region's top under-14, under-16, under-18, and junior teams.

The exhibition series will also provide NCAA and NHL scouts the ability to get an early look at the 2013-14 class of USHL players, many of whom will play for NCAA Division I schools located in the region at the conclusion of their USHL careers.

"The Challenge provides a unique opportunity for players, parents, and fans on the East Coast to see and experience the USHL brand in person," said USHL President and Commissioner Skip Prince. "It takes seeing the size, speed, and skill of our players - more and more of whom are coming from the Atlantic and Northeast region - the quality of our coaches and the intensity of the game at this level to understand just how good junior hockey in America can be."

The Phantoms will be joined by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and the Muskegon Lumberjacks in representing the USHL's Eastern Conference, while the Sioux City Musketeers, the Sioux Fall Stampede and the Waterloo Black Hawks will represent the Western Conference.

A pair of returning Phantoms players - forward JJ Piccinich and defenseman Jimmy Mazza - both have ties to the event's host teams. Piccinich, a native of Paramus, N.J., led the North Jersey Avalanche U16 AAA team in scoring during the 2011-12 season, prior to signing a USHL tender with Youngstown in April 2012. He appeared in all but one game for the Phantoms last season, recording three goals, 12 assists and 15 points, and added 1-1-2 in the playoffs.

Mazza spent two seasons playing for the New York Bobcats prior to being selected by the Phantoms in the fourth round of the 2012 USHL Draft. The Kings Park, N.Y., native put up 2-8-10 and 106 penalty minutes while appearing in 58 games with the Phantoms last season.

USHL games and the invitational tournament competition will also take place at The Ice House arena in Hackensack, N.J. The four-surface facility is home to the North Jersey Avalanche.

A full schedule of games for the USHL Atlantic Challenge will be released at a later date.

Season tickets for the 2013-14 season are on sale now starting at the low price of just $8 a game. Benefits include invitations to exclusive season ticket holder events, discounts at the Phantoms Team Shop and much more. Call 330.747.PUCK (7825) for more information or to reserve seats today. For all the latest news, visit www.YoungstownPhantoms.com, follow the Phantoms on Twitter (@YtownPhantoms) and 'like' them on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/YoungstownPhantoms).

Headquartered in Chicago, the USHL celebrates its 11th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2012-13. With 19 NHL Draft picks on team rosters and more than 250 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools this season, the USHL has emerged as the world's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com or visit the League's social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Fans can also watch USHL action all season long, live or on-demand via FASTHockey.

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United States Hockey League Stories from June 7, 2013


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