Phantoms pick up six in draft

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Phantoms selected six players on Tuesday as part of the United States Hockey League’s Futures Draft.

The players, all born in 1994, received praise from Phantoms’ assistant general manager and director of player personnel, Jason Koehler.

“On a scale of one to 10, it was about a 12,” he said of the dradt.

The Phantoms’ top pick was defenseman Tim Davison of Notre Dame Academy, located in De Pere, Wis. Davison (5-foot-9) is considered the top defenseman in Wisconsin.

“Tim really came on strong as of late and had a great combine last weekend that improved his stock,” Koehler said.

Youngstown then selected center Ryan Fitzgerald of Malden (Mass.) Catholic. He has already committed to Boston College for the 2013-14 season.

“This is a very intelligent player with good hockey sense who makes everyone around him better,” Koehler said.

Youngstown’s remaining picks were Austin Cangelosi, a center from Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts; defenseman Matthe Grzelcyk of Belmont Hill School in Massachusetts; goalie Dalton Izyk of Oswego, N.Y., and left wing Alec Coleman of Moon Township, Pa.

Cangelosi has also committed to Boston College, while Grzelcyk has committed to Boston University.

Coleman scored 44 points in 38 games with the Pittsburgh Hornets U-16 team.

On Monday the Phantoms lost forward Nick Czinder in the USHL expansion draft. Czinder was chosen by the Muskegon (Mich.) Lumberjacks.

The USHL’s week of selection will conclude today with the Entry Draft, which all players born in 1990 or later are eligible.