Phantoms' Fillinger commits to Ferris State
April 9, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
BOARDMAN, Ohio - Mahoning Valley Phantoms right wing and Ursuline senior Mike Fillinger has accepted a scholarship to play college hockey at Ferris State University.
"I have seven family members who attended Ferris State," Fillinger said. "My mom went there on a tennis scholarship and my dad graduated there as well. I'm excited to follow in their footsteps and play for a great university."
Fillinger will know by next month whether or not he will play at Ferris State this fall or in 2008, returning to the Phantoms next season.
"They have been looking at me for some time," Fillinger said. "After a recent game in Alpena, (Ferris State) Coach (Bob) Daniels wanted to arrange a visit for me. After my visit, they made me an offer."
He is the son of Ferris State alum Michael and Michelle Fillinger of Grand Ledge, Mich. During the season, Fillinger lives with Phantoms host family Rita Gontaruk of Youngstown.
"It's definitely the right fit for Mike and we couldn't be happier for him," Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said.
Fillinger becomes the second Phantom this season, the third overall, to head to Ferris State. He joins center Derek Graham, who will play in Big Rapids in 2008, and former Phantom and current Bulldogs' sophomore defenseman Evan Case.
"Mike has really become a more complete player," Mainhardt said. "He reads the play well at both ends of the ice."
In 52 regular season games this season, Fillinger recorded 44 points on 24 goals and 20 assists. Five of his goals were shorthanded, tying him for third in the North American Hockey League with teammates Dustin Cloutier and Nathan Longpre.
Currently, the Phantoms lead the Marquette (Mich.) Rangers 2-0 in their North Division best-of-five semifinal playoff series. Fillinger scored and added an assist in the Phantoms' 6-2 game two win last Friday.
Game three is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. tonight from the Berry Events Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette.
Mainhardt said that Fillinger's skating ability sets him apart from others.
"Mike has learned how to use his speed much more effectively and put himself in situations that only his speed can place him in," Mainhardt said.
"I'm gradually seeing the ice better as I move with the puck," Fillinger said. "At the same time, I still need to improve my puck handling skills and my speed with the puck."
The Phantoms right wing says a national championship is on his mind first and foremost.
"A lot of the players got together Saturday to watch Michigan State win the national championship," Fillinger said. "We watched them celebrate and thought how great it would be to win one ourselves."
Ferris State is located in Big Rapids, Mich. and is a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The Bulldogs compete in the CCHA with the Michigan State Spartans, who defeated Boston College 3-1 on Saturday to win the NCAA Division I Championship.
The 2007 Robertson Cup national tournament will be held in Fairbanks, Alaska from May 3-6. The Phantoms seek their second consecutive trip to the championships after finishing fourth in the event last season as the host team.
Fillinger is the ninth current Phantom to commit to an NCAA program. He joins goaltender Ryan Zapolski (Mercyhurst), left wing Chris Fairbanks (Alabama-Huntsville), right wing Longpre (Robert Morris), right wing Alden Hirschfeld (Miami of Ohio), center Cloutier (Bentley), defenseman Eric Ringel (Notre Dame) right wing Matt Quigley (Northeastern) and Graham.
The Phantoms, currently in their fourth NAHL season, have seen 29 former players commit to play Division I hockey.
This season, the Phantoms (47-14-1) clinched their first-ever NAHL regular season title. Earlier this year, they won a franchise-record 19 consecutive games.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company- Phantom Fireworks, which is headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2007
- Four teams take 2-0 leads - NAHL
- Phantoms sweep Marquette - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Phantoms' Fillinger commits to Ferris State - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Jets One Win From Advancing - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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