Phantoms’ Nenadal commits to Lake Superior State

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

After three seasons with the Youngstown Phantoms, captain Josh Nenadal has made his college decision — Lake Superior State University.

Nenadal is the 20th member from the 2014-15 team to make a college commitment.

“It’s obviously a great feeling to know that you have achieved a dream that you have had since you were a young boy,” said Nenadal, a native of Brecksville. “Youngstown sculpted me into the person that I am today, and I can’t thank the organization, the staff, and my teammates enough for making all of this possible.”

In his third season as a Phantom, the gritty Nenadal set career highs in goals (8), assists (12) and points (20). He posted a career-high five-game point streak from March 7-21, totaling three goals and two assists.

Nenadal also was an instrumental piece in the Phantoms’ USHL record 17-game winning streak, netting the game-winner in a 2-1 win over the Waterloo Black Hawks with less than a minute remaining in the third period of win No 15.

“Josh was the heart and soul of the Youngstown Phantoms’ organization for the last three seasons and we couldn’t be prouder as an organization for him and his family,” said Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen. “Josh does everything the right way on and off the ice, and is as good of a leader as I’ve ever been around.

“We’ll be forever thankful to Josh for the things he did in Youngstown, and are excited to see him continue to make everyone around him better wherever he goes in the future.”

In the four-game playoff series against the Muskegon Lumberjacks, Nenadal ranked second on the Phantoms in scoring with a pair of goals and an assist.

His two goals came in a 4-2 win in game two at the Covelli Centre, marking his first-career two-goal game.

In 150 career games played for the Phantoms, Nenadeal — who recently turned 21 — accounted for 16 goals and 26 assists.

Prior to his time in Youngstown, he skated parts of two seasons for Waterloo.

Lake Superior State University, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).