Phantom goaltender earns scholarship to Boston University

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown Phantoms goaltender Matthew O’Connor, has accepted a scholarship to Boston University for the 2011-12 season.

The 6-foot-5, 18-year-old goaltender will play for the 2009 NCAA national champion Terriers with plans to study economics and business.

The Ontario native, who carried a 3.8 GPA during his senior year at Upper Canada College and posted a 1930 combined SAT super score, will vie for playing time with returning Phantoms goaltender Jordan Tibbett.

“It has been a great summer for me,” O’Connor said. “I have always aspired to play hockey at the highest level possible and I am grateful to have the opportunity to play here in Youngstown and Boston University in the future. These are two great organizations.”

O’Connor recorded a .904 save percentage with Toronto’s Upper Canada Patriots during the 2009-10 season. He posted a shutout and 53 saves in the Central Canadian Hockey League College Showcase. He was selected to the league All-Star Team and landed on the NHL Central Scouting’s “Players to Watch” list.

“He’s a very motivated young man and his grades are off the charts,” said Curtis Carr, Phantoms head coach and general manager. “We’ve found that, usually, the better they are in the classroom, the quicker they will learn our systems.

“Good students are usually more dedicated, on and off the ice, and that’s what we look for,” Carr said.