ICED & READY FOR PLAY

Zoldan announces Phantoms 09-10 season

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Alex Zoldan, Youngstown Phantoms President announces the team's 2009-2010 season during a July 23, 2009 news conference at the Covelli Center in Youngstown, OH.

Bruce Zoldan Phantoms USHL

Video

Bruce Zoldan, owner of the Youngstown Phantoms talks about the team's 2009-2010 season and the USHL during a July 23, 2009 news conference at the Covelli Center in Youngstown OH.

Phantoms begin USHL era

By JOHN KOVACH

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Fans will be attracted to the new Youngstown Phantoms hockey games at the Covelli Centre because of the high quality of play on the ice and the built-in entertainment features throughout the games for the entire family.

That was the optimistic outlook presented by Eric Ryan, executive director of the Covelli Centre; Alex Zoldan, president of the Phantoms, and coach Bob Mainhardt, during a press conference Thursday morning at the Covelli Centre Community Room for the official announcement of the newest United States Hockey League team.

“This is a great day for Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. We have been looking for a long-time solution for hockey at the Covelli Centre, and we believe that we have found it with the Youngstown Phantoms,” said Ryan, who became convinced of the team’s high probability of success while watching a USHL game in Lincoln, Neb., between the Lincoln Stars and Waterloo Black Hawks.

“To be honest with you it was quite amazing. There were 5,000 people screaming. The level of play was simply amazing,” he said.

The Phantoms will be among 14 teams in the USHL, which is America’s only Tier1 league, and will be part of the seven-team East Division along with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders, Chicago Steel, Green Bay Gamblers, Indiana Ice, US National Team and Waterloo Black Hawks.

The West Division is comprised of the Des Moines Buccaneers, Fargo Force, Lincoln Stars, Omaha Lancers, Sioux City Musketeers, Sioux Falls Stampede and Tri-City Storm.

Ryan believes the Youngstown Phantoms, which replace the Mahoning Valley Phantoms of the North American Hockey League, will succeed also because of the leadership from owner Bruce Zoldan, who also owns B.J. Alan Phantom Fireworks Co.

“We believe the team will have a long-term viability and that the level of play is superb and the ownership is fantastic. Bruce Zoldan is a successful businessman who is passionate about business and as passionate about hockey, and he wants Youngstown to succeed,” said Ryan. “You need people like Bruce to step up and bring in a team like this.”

During Ryan’s visit to Lincoln to watch the Stars-Black Hawks’ game, he said he saw the contrast of play between the USHL and NAHL immediately.

“I noticed the speed, quality and size of players. It was leaps and bounds above the Mahoning Valley Phantoms,” he said, believing fans will feel the same way.

“The league is very fan-interactive. They do a lot of things to entertain fans. Truly that’s why people come to the games, to be entertained. Once they see it, they will like it.”

Alex Zoldan also emphasized the difference fans will see in games and their family value.

“We will have entertainment in between, something for everyone. It will be a night of entertainment with outstanding hockey, plus fans will have the ability to watch kids who someday may be in the NHL. They will have the talent to go there,” said Zoldan.

He also announced that the team’s 60-game schedule has been finalized.

“Our opener will be Oct. 3 at 7:15 p.m. against the reigning Clark Cup champion Indiana Ice,” said Zoldan.

The Clark Cup is the USHL’s version of the Stanley Cup.

“We will play 30 home games [at the Covelli Centre], not including playoffs. Most of them are weekend games,” said Zoldan. “Tickets are on sale and we have some great packages. It is a great value.”

Zoldan also said the team will have a mascot — a 6-foot tall dragon — and the public will have an opportunity to vote for the mascot’s name and win a prize.

kovach@vindy.com

SEE ALSO: Mainhardt excited about prospects.