Phantoms Meyer commits to West Point
Published on March 8, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
Boardman, Ohio (Tuesday, March 7, 2006) - What he is capable of doing in a single game, Owen Meyer has done. What he has done consistently over the last two seasons, Owen Meyer has been rewarded.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms left winger has signed a letter of intent to play college hockey this fall at West Point for the Army Cadets.
"I came here (to Boardman) to get a college scholarship and the chance at a quality education," said Meyer. "My main goal was to become well-rounded. From that, you improve everything about you, both on and off the ice."
Everything that he has set out to do so far, Owen Meyer has done.
He is the third Phantom to commit to an NCAA program this season, and the second Phantom to commit to West Point. Last month, defenseman Bret Larson declared his intention to join the Cadets, who play in the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA). Larson will know next month whether he will join Meyer this fall or head to New York in 2007. On the same day as Larson's announcement, Marc Menzione committed to Bentley College.
"They're (West Point) the best place in the country to get an education; they're up there with Harvard," he added. Meyer is tethering his future studies between business and law. "Many leaders in the business world come from the Army. I know that I want to be in a leadership role. I don't want to be working in a cubicle for a living."
Athletically, West Point offers an environment that was hard for Meyer to pass up. "I took a visit to their facility and it was mind-blowing. They have a state-of-the-art facility and great people. I watched them practice; their work ethic is unbelievable and their competitiveness is something I really liked," he noted.
Meyer, whose family splits time between Littleton, Colorado and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, joined the Phantoms last season and recorded 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 51 games. Midway through this season, he eclipsed those numbers. Entering this weekend, Owen has 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 50 games; fifth on the team in scoring. But all of his 17 goals have been scored at even strength, which is tied for 16th in the North American Hockey League, and a very impressive total for a second line forward.
"He's tough to classify. Owen is a strong five-on-five player. He's created a lot; he draws a lot of penalties because of his size and skill and he can dictate the flow of the game," said Coach Bob Mainhardt. "He's developed so much as a player and a young man. We expect a lot from him in the playoffs. I couldn't be more pleased with his development."
Yet, Meyer knows he has other parts of his game that he would like to polish before entering the Division 1 spotlight.
"I used to think too much. But I worked hard on being consistent night after night. Now, I want to work on finishing my scoring chances. As you get older in hockey, they get harder to come by. The best college players only get one or two a night. I also want to get more weight in the off-season and get some added strength," said Meyer.
With his decision on college now behind him, Meyer will devote his complete focus on winning a Robertson Cup Championship. Given what he has done in a single game and what he has done for the last two seasons, he now looks to enter West Point as a champion.
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- Phantoms Meyer commits to West Point - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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