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Phantoms hopefuls set for the final scrimmage
By TOM WILLIAMS
BOARDMAN
Photo
Dylan Margonari (12) successfully scores a goal past Jordan Young (2) during the first period of a scrimmage at the Ice Zone on Tuesday evening.
Twenty-fours hours before finalizing his first USHL roster, Youngstown Phantoms coach Curtis Carr says relaxation is a luxury.
“It’s stressful because we’re trying to put together the right pieces to the puzzle,” said Carr before Tuesday’s scrimmage at the Ice Zone. “You don’t sleep too much because you’re constantly thinking. But I really like what we have.”
Carr, who took over as Phantoms head coach in February, is running his first tryout camp for the second-year hockey franchise. He said the six-day ice gathering is an important moment for the coaching and front office staff.
“It’s exciting because we get to see some of our hard work from all season and see our draft picks start to pay off,” Carr said. “I like it.”
But the former Kent State University coach says this week has its downside.
“It’s kind of tough because you are sending some kids home disappointed,” Carr said. “That’s the negative side of it.
“We open ourselves up to anyone who would like feedback on what we are looking for and what they need to improve on,” Carr said.
The biggest difference from the 2009 tryout camp is the presence of 10 Phantoms veterans who played in Youngstown. (Another returnee, Jiri Sekac, is back home in the Czech Republic.)
“The difference this year compared to last year is we’re a lot more familiar with our veteran players,” Carr said. “Last year, we picked up our vets in the expansion draft and we were getting to know those players [at camp].
“This year, the nice part is we know those 11 returning players and where we feel they fit,” Carr said. “That makes it a little bit easier to gauge what pieces of the puzzle we’re missing.”
Forward Adam Berkle, who will serve as team captain, said there are more skills on display this June.
“I think this camp is a lot better,” said Berkle who sprained his shoulder during a Tuesday scrimmage. “Last year had more big guys and a lot more fighting. This year is mostly skill players and a lot of plays being made.”
Berkle said he’s expected to recover in three weeks.
“This is my first actual hockey injury,” Berkle said. “I wasn’t sure I was hurt so I went back on the ice to try and stretch it out a little bit in case it was a bruise. I tried to get the puck and I realized [how much it hurt] so I skated off.”
The Phantoms have seven forwards (Berkle, Sekac, Andrew Lamont, Stuart Higgins, Dylan Margonari, Cody Strang, Ty Loney), three defensemen (Scott Mayfield, Ben Paulides, Dan Senkbeil) and one goalie (Jordan Tibbett) returning.
The camp opened last Friday with a two-day goalie camp attended by 50 invitees. Carr and his staff trimmed the number to 16.
Two goalies then were placed on the eight teams that began scrimmaging on Sunday. Those teams were whittled down to three as the younger players who will be on the Phantoms’ protected list were excused.
During the camp, scouts from 10 Division I college programs and several National Hockey League teams have visited.
“The final three days are for our veterans, draft picks and kids who have made it through the invite process,” said Carr who added that assistant coaches Brad Patterson and Anthony Noreen handle the benches during the scrimmages.
Tuesday afternoon, the three teams were reduced to two. They faced off in an evening scrimmage and will meet again this morning.
Sometime this afternoon, Carr will announce his roster for the 2010-11 season.