Wednesday, September 26, 2012
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JT Stenglein, who scored 31 goals last season to lead the USHL, is back in Youngstown for his third season as a Phantom. Youngstown opens its fourth season in the USHL on Friday with a home game against Omaha.
By Tom Williams
YOUNGSTOWN
Anyone who doubts the toughness of hockey players should have been with Youngstown Phantoms forward JT Stenglein for the worst 50 minutes of his summer vacation.
On March 9, Stenglein was struck in his mouth by a stick, breaking four teeth. Temporary caps allowed him to play for six more weeks.
After the USHL season ended, the league’s top goal scorer went to the dentist for permanent caps. He endured two procedures without novocaine.
“They shaved them down to points and then put a cap over the top of them,” Stengelin said of his broken teeth. “I was actually afraid to get the novocaine shot, so I had them do it without any [painkiller].
“It was actually quite painful. It was bad. It really hurt,” Stenglein admitted. “[But] I was more afraid of the shot then the actual pain.”
Stengelin endured the pain — twice.
“It took maybe 25 minutes of the drilling to get them down and then after that they just had to put the cement on the top,” Stenglein said.
No wonder he’s eager to get back on the ice. Stenglein, who scored 31 goals last season, is one of 10 Phantoms returning for the team’s fourth season in the USHL. Their season opener will be Friday at 7:15 p.m. at the Covelli Centre against the Omaha Lancers. On Saturday night, they’ll welcome the Des Moines Buccaneers to the Covelli Centre.
Coming off their most successful season (32 wins, 21 losses, seven overtime losses, 71 points), the Phantoms return their coaching staff intact for the first time. Anthony Noreen is beginning his second season as head coach and third with the team.
His assistants are Brad Patterson, a former Youngstown SteelHound, and Rob Rassey, a former Mahoning Valley Phantom.
“The biggest difference between this training camp and last training camp is the time for preparation,” said Noreen, who became head coach in August 2011. “Last year, I think I had two weeks before the guys arrived.
“The biggest thing I’ve probably learned is just how tough this league is, how intense it is. You can’t let off the gas at any point.”
The other returning forwards are Austin Cangelosi, Sam Anas, Todd Koritzinsky, Alexander Dahl and Zach Evancho. Goalie Sean Romeo played in 16 games last season as Matt O’Connor’s backup. The veteran defensemen are Eric Sweetman, Dan Renouf and Ryan Lowney.
“They know what it’s going to be like on the ice and in practice,” said Noreen of relying on his veterans. “I think they showed a great job in training camp in showing the new guys that this is how we do it here.”
Stenglein debated leaving for college, but is back for his third season in Youngstown.
“He thought his job here in Youngstown wasn’t done yet,” Noreen said. “He wants more of a leadership role. He wants better things for this program.”
Stenglein described his first season as a Phantom as a “disappointment for me because I feel that I didn’t play up to my potential. Last year, I got it going so I know what to expect for the team to be successful.”
The major change for this USHL season is that just four of each division’s eight teams will qualify for the playoffs. Last season, six teams from each division advanced.