USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms' Mahalak Earns USHL Scholar-Athlete Award

Published on April 28, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Sharp in the net and equally astute in the classroom, Youngstown Phantoms goaltender Matt Mahalak is a co-recipient of this year's United States Hockey League Scholar-Athlete Award.

Mahalak and forward Anthony Hamburg of the Omaha Lancers will share the prize this season, the USHL league office announced. Since its inception in 2007, the USHL Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes players for their success at school and on the ice.

"It's impossible to overstate the physical and emotional rigor the USHL imposes on its players - while at the same time demanding from them a like commitment to the classroom and academics," said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince.

"Matt and Anthony come from different regions of the country, play different positions on the ice, and competed in different divisions this year - but shared outstanding achievement in scholarship while being mainstays for their teams. It's one of the toughest things to do, and they did it gracefully and well. Congratulations to both of them for sharing this award."

USHL players are nominated by their coaches, teachers, and academic counselors based on their grade-point-average, coursework, and overall school participation. Previous recipients of the honor are Omaha Lancers goaltender Jeff Teglia (2008-09) and Sioux Falls Stampede forward Matt Farris (2007-08).

"Matt was a very dedicated person both on and off the ice this season," said Youngstown Phantoms Head Coach/General Manager Curtis Carr. "We are very proud of his accomplishments and we know he'll be successful in whatever endeavor he applies himself. He is a tremendously detailed and organized individual and that led him to be a top-notch performer in Youngstown - at the rink and in the classroom."

Mahalak completed his first USHL season in 2009-10 after being the first overall selection in the 2009 USHL Futures Draft last May. He posted nine victories and earned points in 12 of 31 appearances for the Phantoms. The goaltender won in his USHL debut, making 25 saves in the 5-4 victory at Des Moines Oct. 10, part of a stretch of four triumphs in his first seven league starts. He turned aside a season high 44 saves in a 3-2 loss to Cedar Rapids Jan. 23, one day after celebrating his 17th birthday.

Off the ice, Mahalak has maintained a 4.00 grade point average while finishing up his final semester at Ursuline High School in Youngstown. He is a full year ahead in his coursework, and will earn a high school diploma this spring. Prior to playing in the USHL, the Monroe, Mich., native attended the prestigious Culver Military Academy in Indiana for two years.

"I owe a lot to [Culver] for teaching me the time management skills and work ethic I needed to keep up with my classes during the season," said Mahalak, whose older sister also attended Culver. "It's not easy to switch schools but if you communicate with your teachers and put in the hard work, you can balance the academic and athletic sides."

Mahalak's father Ralph, speaking also on behalf of his wife Joan, had this to say about their son's experience in Youngstown: "We are proud and excited the USHL has recognized Matt for his athletic and academic achievements. The entire Phantoms organization created a nice atmosphere for Matt to develop on and off the ice and we appreciate the Zoldan family's support of Tier I junior hockey."

"We are all excited that coach Carr has been given an opportunity to improve the team next season. Curt and [Assistant GM/Director of Player Personnel] Jason Koehler handled the challenges of an expansion franchise in a professional manner, plus Matt really enjoyed learning from [Goaltending Coach] Shane Clifford."

The Phantoms are already chest-deep in preparations for the 2010-2011 hockey season. The league's Expansion Draft, Futures Draft and Entry Draft - set for May 17, 18 and 19, respectively - will greatly shape Youngstown's roster as it heads for its sophomore effort in the USHL.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 28, 2010


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