Saad Goals Help USA Rout Finns
December 30, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
NANAIMO, BC, CANADA (Tuesday, December 30th, 2008) - Mahoning Valley Phantoms forward Brandon Saad scored twice for Team USA as the Americans romped over Team Finland 12-1 on day one of the World Under-17 Challenge in Vancouver.
Saad-one of only two players outside of the U.S. National Team Development Program selected to play for Team USA at the tournament-also added an assist on a Nick Shore goal to capture the tournament's scoring lead at the end of the first day with three points.
Mahoning Valley Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt says that Saad's inclusion on the national team is the latest in a long line of international accomplishments by the Phantoms.
"We've shown a great track record of getting our players as much exposure, nationally and internationally, as possible," says Mainhardt. "This is our team's fourth straight year of having a player represent us on Team USA at an international event, an accomplishment that no other team in the country can claim.
"Brandon is one of the very talented guys on our team and we are very proud of his play at the World Under-17 Challenge."
After taking Tuesday off, Saad and Team USA return to action on Wednesday night when they tangle with Team Canada-Quebec at 10:00 PM eastern time.
The Americans have won the silver medal at the last two World Under-17 Challenges, and have high hopes of capturing their first gold medal at the event since 2002.
Phantoms All-Stars Named
When Mahoning Valley entered last week's holiday break in first place in the NAHL's North Division, it was known that they would send six players to play for the North's all-star team at the second-annual Top Prospects Tournament; now it is known who those six Phantoms will be.
The Phantoms' representatives will be goalie Jordan Tibbett, forward Johnny Meo, forward Jordy Trottier, forward Brandon Saad, defenseman Carl Nielsen and defenseman Cullen Lundholm.
Mainhardt breaks down each the six Phantoms' selection to the Top Prospects Tournament:
"Cullen Lundholm has come in as a guy we traded for this offseason and really rounded out our defensive corps. He's been very important to our success.
"Carl Nielsen is a guy who is a returning veteran leader for us. You can always see how much he contributes from a physical standpoint; I believe he's one of the best defensemen in the league, both offensively and defensively.
"Jordan Tibbett has stepped in and he's been absolutely huge for our success early on this season. I think he's been the best goalie in our league; he's proven that night-in and night-out by not only giving us a chance to win every night but also being a good leader and helping our team to mature as we've gone through the year.
"Jordy Trottier, yet another veteran offseason acquisition, is a guy we knew right away was a heck of a competitor and could score big goals and be a clutch performer. He's been all of that and more so far and been a big key to our success.
"Brandon Saad is the young gun who has all the potential and talent in the world, and we all already know how much fun he is for everyone to watch.
"And Johnny Meo has been our heart and soul for three years now. I couldn't think of a guy that's more deserving [of an all-star nomination]. He's poured his heart out there on the ice for the past three seasons, so it's great to see him get that reward and get that recognition."
Phantoms forward Stefan Salituro was selected as a first alternate for the North Division side.
Mainhardt will be the head coach for the North; he will be assisted by Traverse City Head Coach Anthony Palumbo.
The Top Propsects Tournament runs January 18-20 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, MI. The three-day, round robin tournament pits all-star teams from all four NAHL divisions against eachother and against Team USA's Under-17 and Under-18 teams in front of fans and scouts from across the country.
Over 20 players who participated in the 2008 Top Prospects Tournament went on to secure NCAA Division I scholarships.
The Phantoms return to action Friday night as they open the New Year with a 7:05 PM face-off in Traverse City, MI, against the second-place North Stars in the first of a three-game series in northwest Michigan.
The game will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will begin at 6:45 PM.
Phantoms season tickets and individual tickets are now on sale at the Phantom Box Office at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company - Phantom Fireworks, located in Youngstown, Ohio.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2008
- U.S. Blanks Kazakhstan, 12-0, in World Juniors - U.S. National Team
- Five Outlaws Selected for Top Prospects Tournament - North Iowa Outlaws
- Saad Goals Help USA Rout Finns - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Happy New Year from the Wildcats - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- North Stars Sending Six-Pack to All-Star Event - Traverse City North Stars
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.
