USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Remove Interim Tag, Commit To Coach Carr

Published on April 1, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Curtis Carr has been named Head Coach and General Manager of the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL), Team President Alex Zoldan announced Thursday. The solidifying of Carr's position comes just six weeks after he was appointed to direct the club on an interim basis.

"Curt has earned this opportunity with his hard work over the past several years," Zoldan said. "I believe in his ability to coach and so does this organization. More importantly, I also believe Curt will be a leader in these young men's lives, helping them become not only better hockey players but also better people."

Carr was promoted from his previous position of Associate Coach/Director of Player Development on Feb. 16, replacing former Head Coach/General Manager Bob Mainhardt, whom he worked under for parts of four seasons. The first three seasons of Carr's tenure in Youngstown came with the North American Hockey League's Mahoning Valley Phantoms, who posted a 142-61-11 record during that span.

"I'm honored and excited to get the opportunity to lead this team," Carr said. "I'm very fortunate to get this chance and I owe a lot of people who helped me develop along the way, most notably Bob [Mainhardt]. He taught me so much during my first years here and I couldn't have gotten to this point without him."

The Phantoms (19-35-4, 42 points) have shown marked improvement since Carr took over behind the bench, especially in the last eight games, when they have earned at least a standings point in five of them. Youngstown went 3-4-2 in the month of March, capped by a resounding 9-3 win Wednesday in Chicago which completed a five-game season sweep over the Steel.

"I'm looking forward to making this a winning organization in the USHL," Carr said. "I want to repay Alex and [team owner] Bruce Zoldan for their loyalty by presenting a team the Mahoning Valley can be proud of."

While there are still two games left in the Phantoms' inaugural campaign at the Tier I level, the time will soon come for Carr, Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Personnel Jason Koehler, and Assistant Coach Brad Patterson to begin focusing on building for next season.

"I'm pleased with the team's play over the past few weeks," said Carr. "We have a lot of pieces to the puzzle, and now with the draft coming up, we have a lot of work to do to complete that puzzle for next year."

The Phantoms return home for a two-game weekend series with Cedar Rapids at Covelli Centre that will conclude their first USHL season. Friday night is Bargain Beer Night ($1 brews) as the Phantoms help ring in baseball season with hardball-themed games and prizes all night long! Fan Appreciation Night is Saturday, with great giveaways, jersey auctions and much more on tap as the Phantoms honor their loyal supporters in the season's final contest. Both games are slated to begin at 7:15 p.m.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2010


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