Phantoms’ Carr optimistic after selection camp

By Tom Williams | June 16, 2011 at 12:10a.m.

Photo

Phantoms Head Coach Curtis Carr

Matt O'Connor

Dylan Margonari

Chris Bradley

BOARDMAN

The Youngstown Phantoms’ selection camp ended Wednesday with Coach Curtis Carr feeling that his roster is 98 percent set for the 2011-12 USHL season.

However, Carr will not release for the names of the 25 players who have made the team until July 1.

Those selected will be returning to the Ice Zone in August for training camp for the Phantoms’ third USHL season.

The good news for the Phantoms is that goaltender Matthew O’Connor says he’s 100 percent healthy after injuring a knee ligament in February that cost him the final quarter of the season.

“It’s great to see Matt back and on the ice,” Carr said. “He’s getting back to where he needs to be and obviously that’s a positive for us.”

O’Connor said he was feeling better when the regular season ended on April 9.

“But we were taking precautionary measures,” said O’Connor who added that he could execute the split move minus pain in mid-May. “The butterfly was a big test.”

O’Connor, who also suffered a hip flexor injury in December that caused him to sit out much of January, posted a 10-16-2 record. His record was 9-9-1 before the injuries.

“Goaltending is such a big aspect so him feeling healthy is huge,” defenseman Chris Bradley said. “We have our trust in him.”

Forward Dylan Margonari agreed.

“He’s a great goaltender,” said Margonari who’s preparing for his second full season with the Phantoms. “It’s tremendous having him back.”

Carr and his staff looked at goaltenders last Thursday and Friday before scrimmages began on Saturday. In all, 215 players participated, competing for 25 spots.

Returning Phantoms include forwards Ty Loney, Ryan Belonger and Mike Ambrosia.

Bradley warmed up for camp on June 5 by participating in the Buffalo Sabres’ combine.

“I was shocked I got the invite,” said Bradley who said training hard for it paid off this week. “I didn’t feel as gassed as I thought I was going to be.”

Last year’s Phantoms finished seventh in the USHL’s Eastern Conference and were eliminated from the playoffs during the final week of the regular season.

“Last year, we had a solid team; it was a step forward” Carr said. “We had more one-goal games than any other team in the league.

“We’re getting to where we want to go as a program.”

Happy about camp ending, Bradley already is anticipating the fall.

“I’m really excited about our team, I honestly can’t wait to get back in August and get the season going,” Bradley said. “I feel we’re really going to have a good team this year, a lot more focused than we were last year.”