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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen Leaving Youngstown

June 30, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


For Immediate Release: June 30, 2015

Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen Leaving Youngstown

USHL Coach of the Year Accepts Job with Toronto Maple Leafs Affiliate in Orlando

YOUNGSTOWN, OH- The reigning USHL Coach of the Year, Anthony Noreen, will be the new Head Coach of the Orlando Solar Bears, the East Coast Hockey League affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"I'm unbelievably excited and honored, and can't wait to get started with this opportunity. Having said that, it's going to be hard to leave Youngstown. I'm very thankful to Bruce Zoldan. Bruce gave me a chance to be a young coach in this league when no one else would have, or probably should have. I'm thankful to the Loney family and how great they've been throughout this whole process. I'm obviously grateful for the entire staff and all the support they've given me over the years and the job they have done. From host families, to fans, our front office, the arena workers at both the Covelli Centre and Ice Zone, I'm just thankful for everything they've done for me." Noreen said.

"At the end of the day, I owe it to the players. At the beginning of the season, we talk about helping each other reach our goals. The guys know my job is to help them get to the next level, and they know I wanted to get to professional hockey. They afforded me the opportunity to do this, and I'm extremely thankful to them."

"Youngstown made me into the coach and the person I am right now. I enjoyed every moment of being the head coach of this franchise. I never once looked at it as coming to work. I was doing what I loved, and for that I'll always be indebted to this town and this organization," added Noreen.

"We are extremely happy for Anthony and the opportunity he has with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. Anthony has only shown integrity and professionalism as a coach on and off the ice and was a key factor in the success of the Phantoms team this year, establishing the Phantom organization as a force in the USHL. We wish him all the best and continued success in his coaching career," said Phantoms co-owners Troy and Aafke Loney.

Noreen was the first Phantoms coach in franchise history to be named League Coach of the Year. This past season was Noreen's crowning achievement, leading the organization to its best year ever, with a 40-14-6 record and the club's first-ever Anderson Cup.

"We are thrilled that Anthony has been afforded this opportunity in the ECHL. He has been such an instrumental part of our organization's growth and is well-deserving of this new position. His talents will be missed here in Youngstown, but we look forward to our seasoned hockey operations staff building off the successes from last season," said Jason Koehler, Phantoms Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel.

Under Noreen, the Phantoms set team records for both home wins (20) and road wins (20) in a season, culminating with the Phantoms' third trip to the postseason in the past four years. He also led the team to a USHL Tier-1 era record 17-game winning streak.

"Anthony has made substantial contributions to the Youngstown Phantoms and to hockey in our community, and we owe him a great debt of gratitude. He has raised the awareness and expectations for hockey in Youngstown. I took a gamble on a young, inexperienced coach. He impressed me then as a man of integrity and dedication to the sport and the players, and Anthony has certainly validated my decision. If there is ever a Youngstown Hockey Hall of Fame, Anthony Noreen should be one of the first inductees. We thank Anthony and wish him well," said Phantoms Co-owner Bruce Zoldan.

The Phantoms, who finished last place in the Eastern Conference during the 2013-14 season, saw one of the largest turnarounds in USHL history this year, with a 46-point and 23-win improvement in the standings from a season ago.

"It has been a rewarding four years coaching with Anthony. His passion for the game is contagious and it is of no surprise that he is getting an opportunity to work at the next level. I have no doubt that he will be successful on his next venture and I look forward to watching his career continue to grow," said Phantoms Assistant Coach Brad Patterson.

Noreen was with the Phantoms a total of four seasons, compiling a career coaching record of 126-99-19. The Youngstown Phantoms will be conducting a national search for a new Head Coach effective immediately.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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