Phantoms Lend a Hand at St. Patrick's Relay for Life
Published on January 26, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
HUBBARD, OH (Monday, January 26th, 2009) - Coming off a three-game weekend, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms spent their day off participating in Relay for Life activities at St. Patrick's School in Hubbard on Monday morning.
The day began with an assembly in St. Patrick's gymnasium, with guest speaker and three-time cancer survivor Kayla Hankey speaking to the students. After Kayla's speech, Phantoms players lit luminarias on the gym's stage to honor local men, women and children who fought cancer.
Defenseman John Houston, who was among the players selected to light the luminarias during the ceremony, expressed pride over being able to participate in the ceremony.
"It was very meaningful to be up there and light the luminarias while the names were read," said Houston. "The whole thing was very moving, to be able to honor the people who won their fight against cancer, the people who lost that fight and the ones who are still fighting it today."
Following the ceremony, the players split up into groups, with some visiting the different classrooms around St. Patrick's while others walked Relay for Life's traditional laps around the gymnasium with the various classes at the school.
When the Phantoms were in the classrooms, they were signing autographs on the back of the students' Relay for Life shirts.
Phantoms team captain Johnny Meo, who has been to all three Relay for Life days at St. Patrick's, said he was happy to once again be a part of such an important event.
"It's always great to help out the community, especially when we do so while representing the team," said the third-year forward. "I liked Kayla's speech along with the information Relay for Life gave out; I think they're sending a good message to these young kids to make the right choices and to really enjoy and cherish everything they do."
After walking with the students and signing autographs, the Phantoms sat down for lunch with the student body at St. Patrick's, rounding out their day in Hubbard.
St. Patrick's Pastor, Reverend Timothy O'Neill, said he was impressed with the Phantoms being so community-minded.
"[Team President] Bruce Zoldan and the Phantoms organization really do a great job getting involved in the community," said Father O'Neill. "The team does a great job getting the most out of the players not only in terms of hockey skills but also human relations and community involvement, like with the Phantoms players here today."
2009 marks the third year that St. Patrick's School has hosted a Relay for Life day; the Phantoms have been a part of all three.
The Phantoms return to action Friday night as they travel to Alpena, MI, to open up a two-game series against the Alpena IceDiggers. Friday's game is scheduled for a 7:00 PM start.
The game will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will begin at 6:45 PM.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2009
- Wins Keep Coming for Traverse City - NAHL
- RoadRunners Win On Saturday - Topeka Pilots
- RoadRunner Honored by NAHL - Topeka Pilots
- Phantoms Lend a Hand at St. Patrick's Relay for Life - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Wildcats Play Four, Plus Top Prospects Tournament - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Outlaws' Going Purple for Cancer Awareness - North Iowa Outlaws
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.
