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Phantoms put rivalry on ice
Parran and Connor lead Youngstown before heading to Big Ten rivals in fall
By Tom Williams
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown Phantoms defenseman Tommy Parran and forward Kyle Connor are playing key roles in their USHL playoff chase.
Next winter, they will be part of the Big Ten’s biggest rivalry.
Last week, Parran, a second-year Phantom, announced his commitment to Ohio State. Connor, a third-year Phantom who is expected to be a first-round draft pick in June’s NHL Draft, committed to Michigan when he was a freshman in high school.
“I’m sure we’re going to have some fierce battles coming up,” Connor said. “Its a big rivalry.
“I’m happy for him — Ohio State is a good school,” added Connor, who admitted he cheered for the Buckeyes’ football team in last month’s college football playoff championship.
“You have to root for the conference,” he said.
Parran, who suffered a separated shoulder last week in practice and is out of action until at least next weekend, said, “It’s always been a dream to go there. When I was young, my parents would take me [to Columbus] with my Cleveland Barons team. We would watch [Ohio State] games.
“I’ve grown up looking at the guys who played for Ohio State as my heroes,” he said.
Parran grew up in Shaker Heights outside of Cleveland and is a graduate of St. Ignatius High School. His road to Ohio State took a detour 13 months ago when he committed to Brown University in Providence, R.I.
Then he had second thoughts.
“You go through some times where you really have to decide what’s best for you to further yourself as a person, as an athlete and academically,” Parran said.
Parran admitted that turning down Brown was essentially tossing caution to the wind. But he feels his college choice has worked out for the best because of how Ohio State stresses academics for athletes.
“There are full-time tutors available and a facility just for athletes to use for studying,” Parran said. “The resources that Ohio State gives their players both on the ice and in the classroom are unmatched.”
The switch from Providence to Columbus is a boon for his family, too.
“I got really lucky,” Parran said. “My family members are big Ohio State fans. Most people from Cleveland are.
“A lot of my friends from high school have gone to Ohio State so they are pretty excited that I’m going to be on my way to Columbus.”
Distance was a factor in his decision. Parran’s parents are Phantoms season ticket-holders and they usually bring extended family members to the Covelli Centre for games.
“It’s very manageable for [my parents] to come down and see me here,” Parran said. “I’m really blessed that my family is so present because some of the guys are so far away. I couldn’t imagine that.
“Rhode Island would have been quite a haul.”
Parran said he caught up with former Phantom Luke Stork, a Buckeyes freshman, when he made his visit.
“Luke and I talked a lot about how great he feels Ohio State is,” Parran said. “That definitely swayed my decision.”
Parran plans to major in biology. He hasn’t made up his mind on whether to minor in fish forestry and wildlife or environmental engineering.
“I’m borderline,” he said.
In the meantime, the Phantoms, thanks to a five-game winning streak, have vaulted into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff hunt. Last weekend’s victories over the Dubuque Fighting Saints (24-12-4, 52 points) were the Phantoms’ fourth and fifth straight victories.
Following a 1-0 win over the Bloomington Thunder on Thursday, the Phantoms (25-13-5, 55 points) moved into a tie for second with the Muskegon Lumberjacks (26-14-3, 55 points). The top four teams in the conference qualify for the postseason, with the top two earning home-ice advantage for the first-round series.
“We’re really coming together as a team,” Parran said. “Giving guys the opportunity to step up to a more prominent role is great for us in the long run.”
He cited the two goals Lukas Craggs scored in last Saturday’s 3-2 victory and the two power-play goals James Winkler tallied on Feb. 8 in a 5-0 win over the Madison Capitols.
“If those guys don’t step up, we don’t win,” Parran said.
This weekend, the Phantoms will be in Green Bay, Wis., to play the Gamblers on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
“It’s pretty special going on a streak like this,” Connor said. “It’s a great league, every night is a test.”
Last season, the Phantoms’ two-year playoff run ended with the thud of a last-place finish. Parran admitted it’s a lot more fun to come to the rink when every game matters.
“Last year was tough for us, we obviously struggled,” Parran said. “We’re starting to make a run for it. We couldn’t be happier.”
Parran said that when Connor congratulated him on his college commitment, they promised that they would stay in touch, especially to remind each other of whose team is doing better.
“We’re both excited for the challenge of playing against each other, for however long we’re in college,” Parran said, adding with a laugh, “He might not be there as long as me.”