Connor, Pearson get big invite

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown Phantoms forwards Kyle Connor and Chase Pearson have been invited to play in the 2014 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game in Buffalo.

Two others with ties to the Phantoms have been invited: Team USA defenseman Steven Ruggierio (a Phantom last season) and affiliate goaltender Ryan Bednard.

The game, which will be played on Sept. 25 at the First Niagara Center, assembles the top U.S. players who are eligible for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Connor is no stranger to USA Hockey sanctioned events. He recently participated in the National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Connor also was a member of the U.S. squad that took home gold at the 2014 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s Under-18 World Championship in April.

“It’s a real honor to be selected among the top draft-eligible players,” Connor said. “I think it’s important to focus on my game and take things day-by-day, shift-by-shift, and not get too far ahead of myself.

“The draft will come later.”

Committed to the University of Michigan, Connor returns as the Phantoms’ leading scorer from last season. He produced 74 points (31 goals, 43 assists) in 56 games. He also was the USHL’s second-leading scorer.

Pearson, 17, appeared in two games with the Phantoms at the end of last season, after skating in 39 games with the Cornwall Colts of the Central Canada Hockey League where he totaled 23 points.

“It’s a big honor to be chosen for this event,” Pearson said.

Pearson was chosen by the Phantoms in the fifth round in Phase I of the 2013 USHL Draft.

“It’s going to be good to play with Kyle and the rest of those guys,” Pearson said.

“It’s going be great to break the ice and become familiar with one another before the season starts.”

Bednard is one of three goaltenders selected to participate in the All-American Prospects game. He was added to the Phantoms’ roster as a free agent midway through last season; however, he did not see any game action.

Prior to his arrival in Youngstown, he suited up for the Victory Honda 16U program of Detroit where he posted a 1.62 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage in 18 games played.

Ruggerio played 41 games for the Phantoms last season, accounting for a goal and four assists.

The 17-year-old defenseman is committed to play for Team USA’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) for the upcoming season.

“It is an honor to be represented by four players with ties to the Youngstown Phantoms program in such a prestigious event,” Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen said.

“It is a testament to the type of players and people we have, and will continue to bring here in hopes of helping them reach their ultimate goals.

I have no doubt that Kyle, Ryan, Chase, and Steven will represent our town and organization tremendously.”