Phantoms to Hold 2012 Selection Camp
June 13, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
BOARDMAN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms will return to the ice this week when they hold their 2012 Selection Camp. The five-day camp, which runs from Thursday, June 14 through Monday, June 18 at the Ice Zone in Boardman, will be used to determine the Phantoms team for the upcoming 2012-2013 United States Hockey League season.
"We're very excited for the start of camp," head coach Anthony Noreen said. "Last season, we really wanted to try to establish an identity for this franchise and we're looking to build on that here. Our staff has put in a lot of work in the offseason and we're eager to see the amount of work these young men have put in. There's no doubt about it, we've got some very tough decisions ahead of us."
The first two days of the camp will be used solely to evaluate goaltenders, while the final three days will consist of intrasquad games to whittle down to the roster for the Phantoms' training camp in September. The Phantoms have invited 72 skaters - 48 forwards and 24 defensemen made up of Phantoms 'Affiliate List' players, USHL Entry Draft picks and top free agent invitees - to attend the latter portion of the camp.
Additionally, returning veteran Phantoms players will participate in the final two days of the camp as well. Among the returners are center Austin Cangelosi, who was named to the 2011-2012 USHL All-Rookie Team, and left wing JT Stenglein, who led the Phantoms with 31 goals last season. Other veteran returners include forwards Sam Anas, Alexander Dahl, Zach Evancho and Todd Koritzinsky; blue liners Ryan Lowney, Daniel Renouf and Eric Sweetman; and goaltender Sean Romeo.
"It's a very deep camp," Phantoms director of player personnel Jason Koehler said. "We'll have a lot of quality at all the positions here. The hope is that the veteran players, who have USHL experience under their belts, show it. But all the players, whether they're free agents, draft picks or affiliate players, have to come to play."
The first round of intrasquad games begins Saturday morning and will consist of four teams made up of camp invitees. Each team will play three games - one game against each other team - over the two-day evaluation. After the first round of games, the staff will select two teams comprised of the top performers from the camp as well as the returning Phantom veterans. These teams will play two final games Sunday night and Monday morning before the staff makes its final decision.
All games are open to the public and Koehler said he anticipates them to be highly competitive and entertaining.
"This is really a chance for these players to showcase themselves for the future here," he said. "There won't be any guarantees - no free spots or giveaways. With this franchise, it's a matter of you get what you earn."
Below is the schedule for the Phantoms 2012 Selection Camp games.
Saturday, June 16
10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Team 1 (Black) vs. Team 2 (Orange)
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.:Team 3 (White) vs. Team 4 (Teal)
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.: Team 1 (Black) vs. Team 4 (Teal)
8:45 p.m. - 10:45 p.m.:Team 2 (Orange) vs. Team 3 (White)
Sunday, June 17
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Team 1 (Black) vs. Team 3 (White)
1:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.: Team 2 (Orange) vs. Team 4 (Teal)
7:15 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.: Team 1 (Black) vs. Team 2 (White)
Monday, June 18
11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Team 1 (Black) vs. Team 2 (White)
**All games will be played at the Ice Zone (360 McClurg Rd., Boardman, Ohio44512).
Season tickets for the 2012-13 season are on sale now. For a limited time, season ticket plans for all 32 home games next season start at the low price of just $160, but only if fans lock in by July 31. Call the Phantoms office 330.747.PUCK (7825) for more information or to reserve seats today. For all the latest Phantoms news, visit www.YoungstownPhantoms.com.
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