Phantoms Selection Camp Comes to a Close
June 15, 2011 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Phantoms selection camp came to a close on June 15 after the final game was played at the Ice Zone. After evaluating 215 players and watching 15 games over the course of five days, the Phantoms coaching staff is now tasked with finding the 25 players that will start the season as members of the Youngstown Phantoms.
Over the last week, the Phantoms coaching staff has disappointed some players while others have come to camp and impressed to the point of securing a roster spot. For Phantoms Head Coach Curtis Carr, confidence is high as the Phantoms move one step closer to the start of the 2011-12 season.
"It has been a lot of sleepless nights trying to figure out which players fit our puzzle," said Carr. "I think we accomplished the goals we set for our camp and I feel that we have all the pieces that we needed in place. We were very happy with the talent that we had to pick from and I feel that we are a much better team now then at this same time last season."
For some, the final day of the selection camp was a day they have looked forward to for years as the goal of playing in the USHL was realized. For USHL rookie Alex Dahl, this is a day when he not only secures a roster spot but he also finds himself following in the footsteps of former Phantom and current University of Wisconsin Badger, Jefferson Dahl.
"I just graduated high school last week and now I'm preparing for the USHL," said Dahl. "It is very exciting to be here in Youngstown because I know a little more about what to expect because my brother played here two seasons ago. My adjustment will also be a little easier because I will be living with the same billet family that Jefferson was with."
Unfortunately, not every player that attended the Phantoms camp would have the same feeling of accomplishment that Dahl and the other selected players felt as they departed from Youngstown. Part of the selection process requires the Phantoms coaching staff to give the unwanted news to an aspiring USHL player.
"This is an exciting day because we are picking our team," said Carr, "but for me as a person, it is one of the hardest days. You know you're going to send kids home heartbroken after they came here for a week and put everything on the line. To see them be disappointed is tough but I'm very excited with what we have moving forward."
The Phantoms will announce their 25-man roster after the first of July. These 25 players will all report to Youngstown to start the season with one cut left. After the Fall Classic in September, the Phantoms coaching staff will have to make one more cut as they enter the regular season with 23 players on the roster.
Season tickets for the 2011-12 season are on sale now. Ticket plans start at the low price of just $90. Call the Phantoms office today at 330.747.7825 for more information or to make a reservation today! For a complete Phantoms schedule, visit www.youngstownphantoms.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from June 15, 2011
- Phantoms Selection Camp Comes to a Close - Youngstown Phantoms
- Former Buc Commits to DI School - Des Moines Buccaneers
- L.C. Walker Arena Partners with Global Spectrum - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Storm Gearing for Main Camp, Selecting Roster - Tri-City Storm
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