Phantom goalie sees the world

Sixteen-year-old Matt Mahalak is back after playing with Team USA in Slovakia.

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — A quick trip to Europe has Youngstown Phantoms goaltender Matt Mahalak grateful for a some time at home.

“I have plenty of homework to make up,” said Mahalak, the only 16-year-old goalie in the United States Hockey League.

When he’s not tending goal for the expansion Phantoms, Mahalak is a senior at Ursuline High.

Last week, he played with the Team USA National Development 17-under team in a tournament in Trnava, Slovakia.

Two weeks ago, the native of Monroe, Mich. (about 10 miles north of Toledo), was contacted by Team USA and asked to fill in on the trip.

“One of their goalies was sick and they needed another one for a tournament in Slovakia,” Mahalak said Monday before the Phantoms’ practice at the Covelli Centre.

In order to go, Mahalak needed permission from his parents (Ralph and Joan), his school and his coach (Bob Mainhardt).

“My parents were all for it. Everyone was,” Mahalak said. “There wasn’t a hard no there.”

Mainhardt said granting permission was an easy call.

“Any opportunities [like that], there’s no doubt [you support it],” Mainhardt said. “When guys get individual honors like that, it’s a no-brainer.

“It’s an absolute honor to have him go and represent the organization in an event like that.”

Mahalak’s trip began in Fargo, N.D., where the Phantoms played Nov. 1.

“I flew to Detroit and caught up with the team,” Mahalak said. “We flew to Amsterdam then connected to Vienna [Austria].

Team USA played against Russia, Slovakia and Switzerland in the tournament. Mahalak was the winning goalie in a 7-6 victory over Slovakia.

“It was back and forth,” Mahalak said of his international experience. “The U.S. had an off-game. We were outshot and outplayed pretty much.

“Slovakia is very skilled offensively, but had weak goaltending and weak defense. We tried to hold them off offensively and when we got our chances, we capitalized.”

Mahalak said the trip was a whirlwind.

“I didn’t have a lot of time for school work,” Mahalak said. “We had two practices the first day just trying to get adjusted to the time change and rink.”

Last summer, Mahalak came close to not being a Phantom. He was one of three goalies at Team USA’s tryout camp and was the one released.

Mahalak has a 2-1-1 record with the Phantoms and a 3.96 goals-against average. He’s likely to play in one of the Phantoms’ three games this week at the Covelli Centre (Wednesday and Friday against the Green Bay Gamblers, Saturday against the Chicago Steel).

It’s a busier week than normal as the Phantoms have been averaging two games a week.

“It’s great having a home series [but] it’s kind of rough having a Wednesday night game. It takes away a night of schoolwork,” Malahak said. “But being home this weekend is going to help a lot.

“My teachers are very understanding ... about the opportunities I’ve been given. They are willing to work with me with a lot of the assignments.”

The trip was Mahalak’s second to Europe in three years. The first came as a member of the East Coast Selects operated by Gordie Howe’s grandson, Travis Howe. East Coast played in Sweden in 2006.

Mahalak said he feels he’s adjusting to the USHL.

“Things are getting better every day,” Mahalak said. “Being the only 16 year-old goalie in the league, I think I’ve been accepted very well.

“Working with Shane Clifford, the goalie coach, has been outstanding. [Veteran goaltender] Jordan Tibbett has made it so much easier.”

How long Mahalak is a Phantom remains a mystery.

Because of excellent grades, Mahalak skipped the seventh grade. He hasn’t ruled out college for next fall.

“We’re considering it for next year,” Mahalak said. “Right now, we’re looking at Harvard.

“They have a junior goaltender who could sign with a pro team after this year. If he ends up signing, they are going to be looking for a goalie for the coming year,” Mahalak said. “Definitely, leaving after this year is a possibility.

“But I have a lot of options. I could stay here another year.”

williams@vindy.com