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Youngstown Phantoms

The Phantoms Philes: A Day In The Life

August 24, 2009 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (August 24, 2009) - These are the Phantoms Philes, an inside look at Youngstown's very own stop on the road to the National Hockey League.

Thursday, August 20, 9:45 a.m.

Ryan Jasinsky is flat on his face.

Even though training camps for any sport are often casually referred to as "boot camps," players seldom get this close to seeing life through the eyes of a military recruit forced to crawl through the muck.

Here at the Ice Zone in Boardman, Ohio, the 19-year-old Jasinsky and 24 others are fully immersed in preparations for the Youngstown Phantoms' first season of United States Hockey League competition.

And while the young men who will wear the Phantoms' crest aren't toiling away at Fort Bragg under the steely glare of a drill sergeant, it sure seems that way as they ready themselves for the second drill of the first practice on this, the fourth consecutive day of twin on-ice workouts.

"You will start face down," projects Head Coach Bob Mainhardt as he describes what he will be looking for during this one-on-one battle drill in the offensive zone.

It's an exercise sure to be performed countless times at hockey practices across the continent, but the prone starting position adds urgency as the two skaters pitted against each other race to see who can pull himself off the slick surface the quickest.

Mainhardt's whistle sounds, beginning the skirmish between Jasinsky and fellow yellow-shirted forward Richard Young. Even though their like-colored jerseys signify they belong on the same line, the two 200-plus pounders sprint like bitter adversaries to the front of the goal, bidding for a loose puck.

Young gets off his chest and to the biscuit first, but Jasinsky lowers his shoulder and hammers his rival hard enough that both combatants careen into goaltender Jordan Tibbett, who was expecting to face rubber but instead gets Young's right shoulder crashing into his mask. Phantoms standing in line offer appreciative cheers and stick taps to the fallen trio.

The puck is forgotten but the mission is accomplished.

10:13 a.m.

Curtis Carr is a coaching machine.

6-6 Czech defenseman Andrej Sustr was on his way to the bench after fending off an offensive rush during a drill called the "Phantoms 3-on-3" when Assistant Coach Carr glided his way.

"Don't point your stick to direct your teammates," says Carr, miming Sustr's error with his own twig. "Use your hand instead so you can keep your stick on the ice."

Sustr appears to grasp the brief lesson and continues on to the back of the line. Even though English is just one of several languages he's learned after years of hockey-related travel, the towering Sustr readily communicates with his North American teammates.

Moments later, Carr, who doubles as Director of Player Development, flags down Californian blueliner Ben Paulides after he appeared confused while trying to defend a backdoor play. The talk this time is of relying on a teammate to cover a certain area so Paulides can properly carry out his duties.

Call it the Faceoff Circle of Trust.

12:01 p.m.

Richard Young seems upset.

The former Philadelphia Little Flyer is partnered with Michigan-native goalie Matt Mahalak in a quickness drill as part of the Phantoms' off-ice workout conducted by the House of Speed at the YMCA in downtown Youngstown.

Young has the easy job - holding his stick with both hands at shoulder height and dropping it whenever he pleases. Mahalak must hover his hands above the stick palms down and, when Young releases it, reach down and grab it before gravity runs its course.

"That's my stick!" Young yelps every time his Reebok bounces off the basketball court they stand on.

Sounds angry enough, but judging by his bemused expression, Young is thoroughly enjoying himself as the collision of hardwood and carbon-fiber composite echoes off the brick walls. Even as Mahalak starts to time it correctly, Young appears almost disappointed whenever his goalie makes the grab.

'Tis better to give crap than receive.

12:39 p.m.

J.D. Carrabino is refueling.

Following a strenuous round of plyometrics (jump training) orchestrated by House of Speed instructors Josh Pearce and Jeff Hevner, the Phantoms disperse to their vehicles for a return trip to the Ice Zone and lunch. Twice a week during the regular season, the players will be put through a similar high-intensity routine, designed to increase explosiveness and flexibility.

Carrabino, the Connecticut-born defenseman, is one of many Phantoms who mixes and consumes a post-workout protein drink to aid in muscle recovery. However, it's fairly certain Carrabino is the only player who tosses in a scoop of powdered vegetable matter for good measure.

"It tastes awful, but I'm used to it by now," says the 6-6, 230-pounder as he chokes down another gulp of the gruel-like concoction.

It ain't easy being green.

1:59 p.m.

Jean-Laurence Beauchemin has a request.

Dissatisfied with how his complexion appears on his freshly-taken headshot, the French-Canadian defenseman makes an offer to the photographer.

"Do you have Photoshop?" he asks. "I'll give you $10 to darken my face a bit."

Some people will do anything for a tan.

2:50 p.m.

Adam Berkle has to be in pain.

The entire front side of his torso is blood red in the wake of his delivering a virtuoso performance in the impromptu Phantoms Belly-Smacker Competition at the YMCA outdoor pool in Boardman.

With local children of all ages looking on, each player takes a turn trying to earn a high score from a judging panel consisting of coaches Mainhardt and Carr, Director of Player Personnel Jason Koehler, Trainer Brian Patterson and Equipment Manager Bernie McDowell.

Forward Mike Henderson of Bloomington, Ind., had grabbed the high score - 9 out of 10 - with a self-sacrificing dive just before Berkle strode to the diving board. The 6-4 Pennsylvanian's unique twist on the time-honored backyard maneuver involved grabbing his ankles behind his back to ensure maximum abdominal impact.

The resulting healthy smack draws "oohs" and "ahhs" from the young spectators and a standing ovation from two of the judges. Mainhardt, his eyes guarded by aviator shades, allows himself a few chuckles as Berkle happily emerges from the water knowing he may have delivered a perfect performance.

The verdict comes down: 9.5!

Evidently, there will be no 10s on this day.

4:22 p.m.

Bob Mainhardt has seen enough.

Approximately halfway through the second practice of the day, weariness has crept into the Phantoms' game. As a result, the players are getting visibly and audibly frustrated, which doesn't sit well with the man in charge.

"We've got to try to keep our positive energy," Mainhardt says. "If you make a mistake, work harder to correct it. Don't get frustrated and bang your stick on the ice, because it doesn't accomplish anything."

A few minutes pass, and Mainhardt calls his troops over to explain a new drill. Before he gets into the chalk talk, he offers up another hockey proverb.

"When you're tired and fatigued like you are now, that's when you absolutely have to stay mentally sharp, even more so than usual.

"That's how we win the third period."

6:29 p.m.

Ben Paulides is getting booed.

In the backroom of the Youngstown Sports Grill, the Phantoms dine on chicken, pasta, meatballs and salad after a taxing day of training. As the team meal winds down, some of the older players launch into discussions about conducting a form of rookie initiation.

Of course, since the Phantoms are beginning their maiden voyage in the USHL, there are technically no team veterans to handle this kind of thing. Instead, all the guys with any previous league experience function as the upper-class patricians to the first-year plebeians.

Soon after the chatter begins, Brett Gensler, a St. Louis native who spent last year with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, calls over to Paulides to check his sandal for ketchup, the apparent sign that it's his turn to subject himself to mild public embarrassment. Even though the former San Jose Junior Shark can't find any Heinz on his foot, he is given his orders: stand on your chair and sing a song.

Paulides asks for requests, but eventually settles on something simple - "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." He starts off-key and fights through a slight voice crack on the second verse, but really draws the ire of his captive audience when he bails on the final line's melody and quickly sits back down.

Good thing Simon Cowell isn't here.

7:17 p.m.

The Youngstown Phantoms are smiling.

The squad has just arrived at Camelot Lanes for a night of cosmic bowling when a member of the Phantoms Front Office hands Tibbett a poster, the result of a photo shoot from earlier in the week.

The poster features Tibbett, Jasinsky, Serratore, Henderson and Brian Dowd dressed in suits and holding bags and hockey sticks while ostensibly waiting for a bus. The tagline reads: "The Road to the NHL Goes Through Youngstown."

Naturally, the final product has drawn some attention, with most of the Phantoms gathering around to check it out while giving their teammates-turned-models some good-natured ribbing.

The moment passes as the players gradually pick up rental shoes and head over to their assigned lanes. Thoughts turn to strikes, spares and gutters as the Phantoms get to know their new brothers a little bit better.

It's just one moment of many that make up a day on the Road to the NHL.

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