MV eyes hockey event in N. Jersey

Twelve players from last year’s team are Phantoms again.

BOARDMAN — The regular season is 10 days away for the Mahoning Valley Phantoms, but the players have been in town for three weeks preparing.

The Phantoms kick off the 2007-08 campaign with exhibition games in Wayne, N.J., at the First Jersey Hitmen Showcase Friday through Sunday.

With a few weeks of practice under their belts, the team is starting to build an identity.

“They’re looking good,” said coach Bob Mainhardt. “More than anything, I am pleased with the work ethic and the character of the group. That is always one of the big things I key in on.

“There are a lot of mistakes being made, but now is the time of year to make those mistakes,” Mainhardt said. “As long as guys are putting in the effort to correct them, then I think we are going to be in good shape.”

Injury factor

Not all is easy going for the Phantoms however, as injury and illness already have plagued some of the team’s top players. This has made it difficult for the coaching staff to keep any steady forward line combinations.

“With some of the injuries and stuff, that’s going to throw a bit of a monkey wrench into the mix, and make us switch,” Mainhardt said. “But I feel that all the players should be interchangeable parts.

“I should be able to put any three together at any time, and they should pretty much be able to get the job done,” Mainhardt said.

Heading into the beginning of the season, the Phantoms’ practice goals differ a bit from those in the middle of the season.

“More importantly than getting off to a good start necessarily with wins or losses, is getting off to a good start with our discipline and our structure,” Mainhardt said. “If anything, last year proved that to us.

“I think that’s the most important thing; instilling the right things in these guys right from the beginning,” Mainhardt said.

Exposure

The tournament will feature teams from a variety of leagues, and will be ideal for player exposure to scouts from top East Coast universities.

“There are a lot of quality college hockey programs out east,” Mainhardt said. “That’s really the main motivation here.

“Get some competition, get a little bit sharper and a little better prepared for our showcase in Minnesota, but most importantly, get these guys another opportunity in front of the eastern scouts.”

The Phantoms are returning 12 players from last year’s squad which finished runner-up in the North American Hockey League’s championship series. None play goal.

“In net, it’s going to be a bit of a question mark,” Mainhardt said. “But we’ve got some guys we are very confident in, with Jordan Tibbett and Garrett Bartus. We’re expecting both of them to challenge to be the guy.”

Team captains will be named before the team drops the puck for their first exhibition game Friday at 7:15 p.m. against the New York Apple Core of the Eastern Junior Hockey League.

The Phantoms will face off against the New Jersey Hitmen on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. and the Boston Jr. Bruins on Sunday at 10 a.m. All three games can be heard on www.mvpphantoms.com.