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Phantoms hoping incoming winger will be a winner
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The Youngstown Phantoms traded forward Zach Tatrn (91) to the Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League to make room for forward Zach Evancho, formerly of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres Under-18 AAA team, who was signed Tuesday. The Phantoms also added former Omaha Lancers forward Jonathan Liau to the roster Monday for whom they traded their fi fth-round pick in the spring draft.
By Tom Williams
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown Phantoms coach Anthony Noreen hopes the team’s final move before the USHL trading deadline passed blossoms into points as spring approaches.
On Monday, the Phantoms traded their fifth-round pick in this spring’s draft for Omaha Lancers forward Jonathan Liau, a second-year USHL player who will skated for Princeton University in the fall.
Because Omaha (24-12-3, 51 points) is the first-place team in the Western Conference, Noreen admits the availability of a former top six forward from a strong team is a bit unusual.
“He played a pretty big role for them last year,” said Noreen of the 5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed winger from La Ca ±ada Flintridge, Calif.
Liau registered 11 goals and nine assists in 59 games for the Lancers last season, and his four game-winning goals were the second most on the team.
This season, he has 15 points in 34 goals (seven goals, eight assists).
“He wasn’t fitting in that role,” said Noreen, who explained that the Lancers needed a roster space after signing a highly-touted high school defenseman. ‘We thought he’d be a great fit playing our style that emphasizes transition speed. He has a ton of speed and is highly skilled.
“Sometimes, a change of scenery can give you a boost.”
Noreen hasn’t determined if Liau will be in the lineup for Friday’s game at Muskegon, Mich., against the Lumberjacks. Phantoms forward Stephen Collins has been sidelined with an injury so line juggling is a possibility.
The Phantoms (23-13-3, 49 points) are in a three-team race for second place in the Eastern Conference. They are tied with the Dubuque Fighting Saints and two points behind the Indiana Ice. The Phantoms have 21 regular-season games remaining. The Ice and Fighting Saints have an extra game to play.
Tuesday, the Phantoms signed forward Zach Evancho, 16, who has been playing for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres Under-18 AAA team. Noreen said the move was made to bolster the depth at forward for the stretch run.
The move also offsets the loss of the draft pick to Omaha. Noreen said the Phantoms considered drafting Evancho last summer and feel he would have been selected in the first few rounds this June.
“We feel he can probably help us right now,” Noreen said. “Zach is a young player with high-end offensive skills.
His biggest asset is his ability to create time and space for himself and make plays,” Noreen said.
At 5-8, 150 pounds, the left-handed winger scored 32 points in the 36 games he played for the Jr. Sabres (14 goals, 18 assists).
To clear space, the Phantoms traded forward Zach Tatrn to the Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League for future considerations. Tatrn had two goals and one assist in the 16 games he played.