Philadelphia Phantoms 2008-09 Season Preview

Published on October 9, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Phantoms will drop the puck on their 13th American Hockey League season tomorrow night, October 10, when they host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7:05 PM at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Friday will be the 42nd and final Opening Night for hockey in the Spectrum's terrific history. Over the summer, Comcast-Spectacor announced that the Wachovia Spectrum will close after the Phantoms conclude their 2008-09 season. The Spectrum opened on September 30, 1967 with the Quaker City Jazz Festival. After nearly 30 seasons of Philadelphia Flyers hockey and Philadelphia 76ers basketball, the Spectrum gave way to the Wachovia Center in 1996, and the building became the home of the Phantoms. The team became the American Hockey League affiliate of the Flyers and has since won two Calder Cup championships, in 1998 and in 2005.

With plans to demolish the Spectrum established, the Phantoms are poised for a memorable final season of hockey in the Spectrum. Again this season, the Phantoms are an extremely affordable destination for a family of four. Tickets for kids 14 and under are just $10 all season long. The Family Value Pack returns for this season, through which fans can get four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas starting at just $49. That deal is available by calling the Phantoms at 215-465-4522. Also, single game tickets are currently on sale for the entire season. That includes the final regular season game at the Spectrum on Sunday, April 12. Of course, season tickets and game plans are still available, which allow fans to catch as much as the entire final season at the Spectrum for a discounted price, as well as access to several exclusive events and other bonuses and perks.

Also returning this season is fans can listen Phantoms games for free throughout the 2008-09 season through a new partnership with NeuLion, Inc. Fans can also watch the games for a small fee through "AHL Live" at www.ahllive.com. The online video streaming will allow fans to see all Phantoms games, home and away, during the campaign.

The 2008-09 schedule is available in several formats at the Phantoms website, www.phantomshockey.com. A printable version is attached to this release. A full promotional schedule is also available at the website.

2008-09 PHANTOMS BY THE NUMBERS

New Players for 08-09: 11

Returning Players from 07-08: 21

Flyers Draft Picks: 15

Average Age: 23 years old

MEET THE 2008-09 PHILADELPHIA PHANTOMS OPENING ROSTER

SKATERS

2 CHRIS ZARB - D

6-4, 210 lbs - Age 23 (1/11/85)

2007-08 Team: Ferris State (CCHA)

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the fifth round (144th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft... Joins the Phantoms after a three-year career at Ferris State University, where he totaled 2 goals and 27 assists for 29 points in 79 career games.

3 OKSARS BARTULIS - D

6-1, 196 lbs - Age 21 (1/21/87)

2007-08 Team: PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the third round (91st overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft... Missed the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs due to injury... Recorded 1 goal and 20 assists for 21 points in 57 games during his first professional season with the Phantoms.

4 TIM RAMHOLT - D

6-1, 195 lbs - Age 23 (11/2/84)

2007-08 Team: Quad City Flames (AHL), Calgary Flames (NHL)

Notes: Acquired from Calgary in exchange for Kyle Greentree on June 30, 2008...Made his NHL debut for Calgary last November 29th in a 4-1 loss to Anaheim...In 77 games for AHL Quad City last season, scored four goals and added 20 assists for a total of 24 points.

5 MICHAEL RATCHUK - D

5-11, 177 lbs - Age 23 (2/20/88)

2007-08 Team: Michigan State University (CCHA), PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft...joined the Phantoms late last season after completing his junior season at Michigan State, and set up Ryan Potulny's game-winning goal in the five-overtime Game 5 of the East Division Semifinals vs. Albany... Won the 2007 NCAA National Championship with Michigan State.

7 NATE GUENIN - D

6-2, 210 lbs - Age 25 (12/10/82)

2007-08 Team: PHANTOMS, Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)

Notes: Selected by the New York Rangers in the fourth round (127th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft...Signed as a free agent by the Flyers on August 16, 2006...In 77 games last season, scored 4 goals and notched 13 assists for 17 points to go along with 146 PIM.

8 JASON DeSANTIS - D

5-11, 185 lbs - Age 22 (3/9/86)

2007-08 Team: Ohio State University (CCHA), PHANTOMS

Notes: Signed as free agent on March 20, 2007...Joined the Phantoms late last season after a four-year career at Ohio State where he totaled 12 goals and 44 assists for 56 points in144 games.

9 NATE RADUNS - C

6-3, 205 lbs - Age 24 (5/17/84)

2007-08 Team: Worcester Sharks (AHL)

Notes: Signed as a free agent on July 1, 2008...Joins the Phantoms after his first professional season where he totaled 27 points, 12 of them goals, while playing for Worcester of the AHL.

10 DAVID LALIBERTE - RW

6-1, 207 lbs - Age 22 (3/17/86)

2007-08 Team: Wheeling Nailers (ECHL), PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft...Split last season between Philadelphia and ECHL Wheeling, appearing in 27 games for each team...Collected 3 goals and 6 assists with the Phantoms.

11 JONATHAN MATSUMOTO - C

6-0, 195 lbs - Age 22 (10/13/86)

2007-08 Team: PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the third round (79th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft...Finished 2007-08 with 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points in 77 games...Tied for the team lead in power-play goals during the regular season with 11.

12 GARRETT KLOTZ - LW

6-5, 235 lbs - Age 19 (11/27/88)

2007-08 Team: Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the third round (66th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft... Totaled 4 points with 92 PIM in 52 games for Saskatoon last season.

14 ANDREAS NODL - RW

6-1, 196 lbs - Age 21 (2/28/87)

2007-08 Team: St. Cloud State (NCAA), PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the second round (39th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft...Joined the Phantoms late last season after a two-year career with St. Cloud State where he co-led the nation in scoring by first year players during his freshman year....

15 MATT CLACKSON - RW

6-0, 205 lbs - Age 22 (4/29/85)

2007-08 Team: Western Michigan (CCHA), PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the seventh round (215th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft...Made professional debut on April 12 vs. Hershey compiling 14 PIM...Tallied 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 points during his three-year career at Western Michigan.

16 PATRICK MAROON - LW

6-4, 225 lbs - Age 20 (4/23/88)

2007-08 Team: London Knights (OHL), PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the sixth round (161st overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...Joined the Phantoms late last season and made his debut on April 13 vs. Albany... Posted 90 points last season on 35 goals and 55 assists for London of the OHL.

19 CLAUDE GIROUX - RW

5-11, 179 lbs - Age 20 (1/12/88)

2007-08 Team: Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft... Appeared in two games for the Flyers, making his NHL debut on February 19, 2008 at Ottawa...Tallied 106 points during the regular season, and an astounding 51 more during the playoffs for Gatineau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season.

20 JOSH BEAULIEU - D

6-1, 188 lbs - Age 21 (1/10/87)

2007-08 Team: PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the fifth round (152nd overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft... Scored game-winning goal in two consecutive games, first in a 4-2 win at Albany on Jan. 5 and then in a 6-2 win vs. Bridgeport on Jan. 6...Finished last season with 3 goals and 3 assists for six points in 50 games.

22 FREDERIK CABANA - C

6-0, 200 lbs - Age 21 (5/16/86)

2007-08 Team: PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the sixth round (171st overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft...Scored 6 goals and added 7 assists for 16 points in 48 games in 2007-08.

23 NED LUKACEVIC - RW

6-0, 205 lbs - Age 22 (2/11/86)

2007-08 Team: Reading Royals (ECHL)

Notes: Acquired from Los Angeles along with Patrik Hersley in exchange for Denis Gauthier on June 30, 2008... Appeared in 61 games for ECHL Reading Royals, scoring 17 goals and adding 19 assists.

24 ROB BELLAMY - RW

6-0, 205 lbs - Age 23 (5/30/85)

2007-08 Team: University of Maine (NCAA), PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the 3rd round (92nd overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft... Joined the Phantoms late last year after a four-year career at University of Maine, where he was a co-captain as a senior... totaled 15 goals, 33 assists, for 48 points in 137 career games.

25 DANNY SYVRET - D

5-11, 203 lbs - Age 23 (6/13/85)

2007-08 Team: Springfield Falcons (AHL), Hershey Bears (AHL)

Notes: Acquired from Edmonton in exchange for Ryan Potulny on June 6, 2008...Began the 2007-2008 season at AHL Springfield, appearing in 36 games before being loaned to Hershey where he totaled two goals, and 18 assists for 20 points in 27 games.

26 SEAN CURRY - RW

6-5, 227 lbs - Age 26 (4/29/82)

2007-08 Team: Providence Bruins (AHL)

Notes: Signed as a free agent on July 1, 2008...Played the last three seasons in the Boston organization... named RBK/AHL Player of the Week on December 16, 2007.

27 DARROLL POWE - C

5-11, 210 lbs - Age 23 (6/22/85)

2007-08 Team: PHANTOMS

Notes: Signed to an ATO on March 20, 2007...Led the Phantoms with four shorthanded goals during the regular season...Scored first career playoff goal in Game 2 of the Eastern Division Semi-Finals vs. Albany...Totaled 9 goals, 14 assists for 23 points in 76 games last season.

28 BOYD KANE - LW

6-2, 220 lbs - Age 30 (4/18/78)

2007-08 Team: PHANTOMS

Notes: Signed as a free agent on July 13, 2006...Captained Phantoms 2005 Calder Cup team...enters his second consecutive and fourth overall season as the team captain... In 07-08, totaled 18 goals, 26 assists for 44 points in 57 games.

32 PATRIK HERSLEY - D

6-3, 205 lbs - Age 22 (6/23/86)

2007-08 Team: Manchester Monarchs (AHL), Reading Royals (ECHL)

Notes: Acquired along with Ned Lukacevic from Los Angeles in exchange for Denis Gauthier on June 30, 2008...Posted one goal and eight assists for 9 points in 42 games with Manchester last season...Recorded three goals and 15 assists for 18 points in 20 games with Reading.

37 JONATHON KALINSKI - LW

6-1, 180 lbs - Age 21 (5/25/87)

2007-08 Team: Minnesota State U.-Mankato, PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the sixth round (152nd overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...Joins the Phantoms after a three-year career at Minnesota State U.-Mankato where he totaled 29 goals and 27 assists for 56 points in 106 career games.

38 JEFF SZWEZ - RW

6-3, 210 lbs - Age 27 (6/16/81)

2007-08 Team: Syracuse Crunch (AHL), Blues (FNL)

Notes: Signed to a PTO on October 7, 2008...Posted 4 goals and six assists for 10 points last season with Syracuse...After being released from his AHL contract, he went on to play ten games in Finland where he registered 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points...

GOALTENDERS

29 MICHAEL TESLAK - G

6-2, 170 lbs - Age 22 (12/2/85)

2007-08 Team: Michigan Tech (NCAA), PHANTOMS

Notes: Signed with the Flyers on March 19, 2008... Finished his career ranked third at Michigan Tech in career goals against average (2.66) and third in save percentage (.910)...

33 SCOTT MUNROE - G

6-2, 212 lbs - Age 23 (1/20/85)

2007-08 Team: PHANTOMS

Notes: Signed as a free agent on Sept 15, 2006...Recorded shutouts in Games 2 & 7 of the Eastern Division Semifinals last season against Albany...Finished the 07-08 season with an 18-8-2 record with a 2.29 GAA and .918 save percentage.

34 JEREMY DUCHESNE - G

6-0, 217 lbs - Age 21 (10/17/86)

2007-08 Team: Dayton Bombers (ECHL), PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the fourth round (119th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft...In his AHL debut he totaled 19 saves on 22 shots in a 5-3 win vs. Binghamton...With Dayton last season he posted a record of 13-13-5 with 2.90 GAA and .904 save percentage in 29 appearances.

34 JEREMY DUCHESNE - G

6-0, 217 lbs - Age 21 (10/17/86)

2007-08 Team: Dayton Bombers (ECHL), PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the fourth round (119th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft...In his AHL debut he totaled 19 saves on 22 shots in a 5-3 win vs. Binghamton...With Dayton last season he posted a record of 13-13-5 with 2.90 GAA and .904 save percentage in 29 appearances.

35 JEAN-SEBASTIEN AUBIN - G

5-11, 180 lbs - Age 31 (7/17/77)

2007-08 Teams: Los Angeles (NHL), Manchester (AHL), Portland (NHL)

Notes: Signed by the Flyers as a free agent on September 18, 2008... has 218 games of NHL experience... Selected by Pittsburgh in the third-round (76th overall) in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.

BEGINNING 2008-09 SEASON WITH FLYERS

17 STEVE DOWNIE - RW

5-10, 200 lbs - Age 21 (4/113/87)

2007-08 Team: Flyers, PHANTOMS

Notes: Selected by the Flyers in the first round (29th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft...Scored his first NHL goal in a 3-2 win at Toronto ... With the Flyers he totaled 6 goals, 6 assists for 12 points in 32 games...He also added 5 goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 21 games with the Phantoms last season.

18 JARED ROSS - C

5-9, 170 lbs - Age 26 (9/8/82)

2007-08 Team: PHANTOMS

Notes: Acquired from Chicago (AHL) on Feb. 28, 2007...Led the Phantoms in scoring last season with 23 goals and 39 assists for 62 points in 67 games...Also led the team with 5 goals during the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs.

77 RYAN PARENT - D

6-2, 205 lbs - Age 21 (3/17/87)

2007-08 Team: Flyers, PHANTOMS

Notes: Acquired from Nashville with Scottie Upshall and first and third round picks in 2007 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Peter Forsberg...Recalled by the Flyers on Feb. 13 and remained with the team for the rest of the season...Recorded an assist versus Pittsburgh for his first career NHL playoff point...starts season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

COACHES

JOHN PADDOCK - HEAD COACH

2007-08 Team: Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Notes: Joins the Phantoms from Ottawa, where he compiled a 36-23-6 record in 07-08...The only coach to lead three different franchises to Calder Cup Championships (Maine in 1984, Hershey in 1988 and Hartford in 2000)...AHL career record of 542-392-93 ranks third all-time in AHL coaching victories.

KJELL SAMUELSSON - ASSOCIATE COACH

2007-08 Team: PHANTOMS

Notes: Entering his ninth season as a member of the Philadelphia Phantoms coaching staff...Joined the Phantoms as an assistant coach on July 8, 2000...Began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Trenton Titans of the East Coast Hockey League in 1999-2000...Enjoyed a 14-year playing career (1985-99) as an NHL defenseman...Spent nine years (1986-92, 1995-98) with the Flyers, while also playing for the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning.

NEIL LITTLE - GOALTENDING COACH

2007-08 Team: PHANTOMS

Notes: Beginning his third season as an assistant coach, serving as the Phantoms goaltending coach...As an original member of the Phantoms, he played for the franchise in eight of its first nine years...Holds the distinction of being the only Phantoms player to play for both Calder Cup championship teams.

The best way for fans to secure a ticket for the final game on April 12, 2009 is to purchase either a game plan package or season tickets. Packages are available now in convenient blocks of 6, 10, 16, 20 and 40 games. Receiving an impressive list of exclusive benefits, discount prices and the same seat for each game begins at just $60!

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from October 9, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central