Ty Loney is the latest ex-Phantom to go pro

June 11, 2015 at 12:07a.m.

Ty Loney played a season-and-a-half with the Youngstown Phantoms from 2010-11. Four of his junior hockey teammates have blossomed into professionals. Loney makes it one for the thumb.

Loney, 23, has signed with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League, the top affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“It’s really exciting,” Loney said Wednesday. “It’s awesome that the Penguins were interested.”

Two of Loney’s teammates from the Phantoms’ first season (2009-10) are in the NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning Andrej Sustr (undrafted) and forward Jiri Sekac (undrafted) of the Anaheim Ducks.

Defenseman Scott Mayfield, a second-round draft selection who also played with Loney for two seasons at the University of Denver, just completed his second full season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders.

Goaltender Matt O’Connor (second and third Phantoms seasons, undrafted) helped Boston University advance to the NCAA Championship game in April. He recently signed as a free agent with the Ottawa Senators.

“Some of us are late bloomers, it’s just really strange how that works out,” Loney said of the first two Phantoms teams who have produced five pros even though Youngstown failed to make the USHL playoffs both times.

Loney has been surrounded by athletic talent all his life. Loney’s dad, Troy, won the Stanley Cup twice with the Penguins then was the first captain of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in 1993.

Loney, who grew up in Valencia, Pa., attended Pine-Richland High School, as did Neil Walker (Pittsburgh Pirates), Brandon Saad (Chicago Blackhawks) and Meghan Klingenberg (USA women’s soccer team).

“As a kid, you have one team that has a special place in your heart, and for me that was the Penguins,” Loney said. “As a hockey player I wanted the best opportunity for me to develop my game, and luckily enough the opportunity was there with the Penguins organization.

“Growing up near Pittsburgh and watching my dad play there, it’s really special for me.”

Loney said he had offers from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Norfolk.

“My decision was made based on opportunity and development,” Loney said.

Loney’s four-year career at the University of Denver ended in March in the NCAA Tournament. As a Pioneer, Loney scored 39 goals and 50 assists in 152 games while leading Denver to two consecutive National Collegiate Hockey Conference titles as well as four straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

When the Pioneers were eliminated, Loney accepted the offer for professional tryout with the Admirals in April,

“I played five games, scoring four points in five games,” Loney said.

In his professional debut, he scored a goal and two assists.

Next up for Loney will be the Penguins’ tryout camp in July at CONSOL Energy Center.

“I’m so thankful for all the help I’ve had to get to this point, from my family and friends to all my coaches through the years,” he said.