Decision on Phantoms at Covelli Centre to come Friday

YOUNGSTOWN

A decision on another season for the Youngstown Phantoms junior hockey team to play its home games at the Covelli Centre will come Friday.

Eric Ryan, head of JAC Management Group, which runs the day-to-day operations at the city-owned Covelli Centre, said his decision on the Phantoms will be made Friday after Youngstown finalizes a five-year contract extension with his company.

City council on Wednesday voted 7-0 for the new deal.

The city’s board of control will vote today on the contract.

After that vote, the contract will be official, and Ryan said he would be prepared to make a quick decision on the hockey team.

There is a provision in the team’s contract allowing the city to renew a fifth season at no cost or ask the Phantoms to pay a $75,000 fee.

For more on the deal, read Thursday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.