Three Phantoms set for Prospects Game

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Three Youngstown Phantoms will participate in the inaugural USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Defenseman Chris Bradley, center Austin Cangelosi and center Richard Zehnal have been selected to play in the game, which will take place on Jan. 24 at L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon, Mich.

The game is the first of its kind for the USHL and will showcase many of the top players eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The selection process for the players was completed in cooperation with USHL General Managers, NHL scouts and decision makers, and NHL Central Scouting.

“I think this is a huge opportunity for both those players and our organization,” said Anthony Noreen, the Phantoms’ head coach and general manager. “We’re proud to be able to send three players who we feel are great representatives of the Youngstown Phantoms. And for the players, they have the chance to showcase their skills in front of every team in the NHL on a big stage.”

Bradley, 18, is in his second year eligible for the NHL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound defenseman from Williamsville, N.Y., is in his second season with the Phantoms and has accumulated a goal and five assists for six points and a plus-7 rating through 21 games. He is committed to play college hockey at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute beginning next fall.

Cangelosi, 17, is in his first year with the Phantoms and his first year eligible for the NHL Draft. The speedy 5-foot-8, 185-pound center from Estero, Fla., is second on the Phantoms in scoring with 11 goals, 12 assists and a team-high plus-13 rating through 19 games. He is committed to Boston College for the fall of 2013.

Zehnal, 17, is in his first year eligible for the NHL Draft in this his third season in the USHL, but first with the Phantoms. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound center is a native Pardubice, Czech Republic. He has three goals, six assists and nine points along with a plus-3 rating while playing in all 26 games.