Phantoms’ Ronan leaves for new job
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown Phantoms assistant coach John Ronan is leaving the USHL hockey team to join the staff of the Mercyhurst Lakers, a Division I hockey program that competes in the Atlantic Hockey Association.
Ronan’s departure was announced Friday, three days before the team hits the ice for training camp for the 2015-16 season.
Ronan was an assistant on Anthony Noreen’s staff for the 2014-15 season, primarily working with the club’s forwards and power-play units.
“Since I came to Youngstown a year ago I have grown not only as a coach, but also as a man,” Ronan said. “The time I spent with Anthony Noreen, [assistant coach] Brad Patterson and [general manager] Jason Koehler helped me beyond measure, and I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to coach and learn with these men.”
When Noreen left the team in June to become head coach of the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears, Ronan interviewed for the head coaching job that went to John Wroblewski.
“We are very happy for John and this new opportunity he has in his coaching career,” Koehler said. “He was a pleasure to work with this past season, and I am confident he will have success with Mercyhurst.”
Before his stint in Youngstown, Ronan was a volunteer assistant coach at Union College when the team won the NCAA championship in 2013-14.
Prior to Union, the South Boston, Mass., native enjoyed a successful pro career that featured stops in the ECHL, Central Hockey League, Southern Professional Hockey League, International Hockey League and in the Netherlands. In 414 professional games, Ronan scored 139 goals and 152 assists.