Phantoms-affiliated players pick colleges

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Two affiliate list members of the Youngstown Phantoms have made college commitments.

Goaltender Ryan Bednard will be heading to Bowling Green State University, and defenseman Ryan Shea will be going to Northeastern University.

A native of Macomb, Mich., Bednard was an undrafted, free-agent acquisition who dressed in 10 Phantoms games last season, but did not see any game action. Playing for the Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Hockey League, he has posted a 2-3-0 record, with a 3.40 goals against average, and a .871 save percentage.

Phantom Lukas Craggs and Bednard’s brother, Shane, with the USHL’s Bloomington Thunder, also are committed to Bowling Green.

Shea was drafted in May in the third round of Phase II of the USHL Draft with the 39th overall pick. A native of Milton, Mass., he is splitting time with Boston College High School and the Cape Cod Whalers U16 program. In 12 games this season with Cape Cod, he has registered a goal and seven assists.

Phantom James Winkler also committed to Northeastern.

Eight of the Phantoms’ 17 affiliate list players have committed to Division I programs.