Phantoms’ Collins will attend UConn

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown Phantoms forward Stephen Collins has committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Connecticut this fall.

Collins, 20, becomes the 18th player on the Phantoms’ 2011-12 roster to commit to play NCAA Division-I hockey.

“We couldn’t be happier for Stephen, especially after all he went through this year,” Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen said. “As coaches we’re here to try to win games, but really it’s about helping these guys develop — not just as players, but as men — with this goal in mind. I’m thrilled for him.”

Collins, a Pittsford, N.Y., native, scored three goals and added five assists for eight points in 30 games last season. The three-year USHL veteran’s season came to an end when he suffered a perforated bowel after an center-ice collision in a game against Team USA on Jan. 13.

“We were just starting to see his best hockey right before he got hurt. His loss had a big impact on our team,” Noreen said. “A lot of guys in his situation would have just gone home but Stephen came back to Youngstown, came on road trips and helped out in any way he could.

“To see him here and knowing that he’d give anything to play and still cared, I think that meant a lot to our guys. He was the epitome of a great teammate and he absolutely earned this commitment.”