4 Phantoms get Prospects invite

Connor, Birdsall, Pearson, Myllari will play in game for NHL scouts in Iowa

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown Phantoms goaltender Chris Birdsall received a late Christmas present this week. He and teammates Kyle Connor, Chase Pearson and Kris Myllari have been selected to play in the 2015 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 13 in Dubuque, Iowa.

“This is a great opportunity for Kris, Kyle, Chase and Chris to showcase themselves in front of every NHL team,” Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen said.

Birdsall, whose record is 6-2-5, received a B rating in November’s NHL Central Scouting rankings, making him the third-highest rated goaltender in the USHL. Players who receive B ratings are second- or third-round candidates for the 2015 NHL Draft.

“It’s a great honor to be selected for the game,” said Birdsall, who was traded to the Phantoms last spring from the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders. “I can’t wait to play against the top guys in the league for this year’s draft.

“It will be a great experience.”

Connor is projected to be a first-round selection. Last week, he captained the Team USA squad that won the gold medal in the World Junior A Challenge in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.

“I’m really excited to represent the Phantoms at such a great event,” said Connor whose 27 points tie him for seventh in USHL scoring. “I’m also happy for my teammates who made it,”

Pearson, who has four goals and nine assists, participated in September’s CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game. He was given a C rating (fourth through seventh rounds).

“I’m extremely excited to have the chance to play with, and against, the top players in the USHL,” Pearson said.

Myllari, a defenseman, has one goal and three assists.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be selected,” Myllari said.

The Phantoms’ four participants is second-most in the USHL. Cedar Rapids has six players represented.

This weekend, the Phantoms will make a three-game roadtrip, beginning Friday in Chicago against the Steel. They’ll move on to Des Moines, Iowa, for games Saturday and Sunday against the Buccaneers.