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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms' Kyle Mackey Commits to Air Force Academy

April 4, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms are proud to announce that defenseman Kyle Mackey has committed to play college hockey at the United States Air Force Academy following his USHL career.

"[Air Force] has been showing interest this whole year. I finally got out to visit this past week, and it was great," said Mackey. "The campus was great; the Colorado area is just awesome. They have a lot to offer, and they set you up for the rest of your life. It's a great opportunity, and I'm really blessed for it."

The Derby, New York native is the first player in Phantoms history to commit to Air Force, and the 17th player on the current active roster to earn a Division I NCAA hockey scholarship.

"It's a great accomplishment for Kyle," said Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Anthony Noreen. "Last year, and I think he'd be the first to admit it, was a big growing process for him as a player, but he stuck to it. He believed in us, he trusted us, he worked his way through it, came back this year, and he stepped up big time on our back end when we needed it. He fought his way into our top pair, and has really been an anchor for us on our blue line all year. I think it's something that he deserves, something that he's worked towards, and it's a huge honor for him."

Mackey was originally a second round selection (24th overall) by Youngstown in the 2012 Phase II draft. Entering the final weekend of USHL regular season play tonight, he has recorded 16 points in 49 games played this season.

"I was speechless-I didn't know what to say or what to think," said Mackey on the feeling to receive an offer and commitment to play Division I college hockey. "I've never been through this process before, obviously. It's a first for me. You can ask anyone who's committed; it's a pretty great feeling. There are no words for it."

Mackey came to the Phantoms after a season playing for his hometown Buffalo Jr. Sabres, where he notched 23 points in 40 games at the U18 level.

"Kyle is an elite skater for a defenseman," continued Noreen. "He has good hands, good vision, and a good shot. He has all the things that make an elite offensive defenseman, and at the same time, he can defend.

"He's tough, he blocks shots-I think that's the element of his game that he's stepped up this year, is his defensive side of it, especially blocking shots and defending in the corner. I think he's going to be a really good two-way college defenseman, and I think he has a chance to be a pro defenseman down the line if he keeps on the growth curve that he's been on here over the last year-and-a-half or so."

Air Force competes in the Atlantic Hockey Association, and is led by coach Frank Serratore, the father of former Phantom and current Minnesota Golden Gopher Tom Serratore.

"[Air Force coaches] have been watching me throughout the past couple of months very closely," said Mackey. "They want me to come in and be a role player-jump up in the play, be an offensive defenseman. They've been looking for a defenseman like that that can make plays and make things happen on the ice."

Mackey's commitment is for the 2014-15 season, meaning that he will play his final two games as a Youngstown Phantom this weekend.

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