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Phantoms open camp at The Ice Zone with new faces
By Tom Williams
BOARDMAN
There have been plenty of changes since the Youngstown Phantoms were last on the ice for June’s tryout camp at The Ice Zone.
Three hockey players — forward Chase Pearson, defenseman Ryan Shea and goaltender Ryan Bednard — were selected in the NHL Draft.
Another — forward Kole Sherwood — was not drafted but made such an impression at the Columbus Blue Jackets’ tryout camp that he signed a professional contract, making him ineligible for the USHL.
Two of the coaches — head coach Anthony Noreen and assistant coach John Ronan — have departed for new jobs.
Pearson, who was selected in the fifth round by the Detroit Red Wings, and forward Lukas Craggs weren’t shocked that Noreen became the head coach of the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears.
“I wasn’t too surprised — [he was USHL] coach of the year,” Craggs said. “He took care of us amazingly last year. We have the highest regard for him — it’s a great step in his career.”
About Noreen, Pearson said he felt “after the season [we had], he would have a lot of different offers.”
Last season, the Phantoms (40-14-6) were the USHL’s regular-season champions. They posted a league-record 17-game winning streak.
Ty Farmer, one of four defensemen returning, called Noreen’s departure “bittersweet.”
Farmer admitted he was “kind of upset” when Noreen took the Orlando job in late June.
“[But] it’s a great opportunity for him [to advance] to the next level,” Farmer said. “He’s just like everybody else, trying to get to the top.
“I’m very thankful for his time in Youngstown.”
Craggs said he felt “huge excitement” when the team announced in late July that John Wroblewski would replace Noreen.
For the past two years, Wroblewski was an assistant coach with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. Before that, he was head coach for two seasons in the ECHL.
“We’re excited for where he’s going to lead us and just can’t wait to get the season going,” Craggs said.
“It’s great,” said Pearson of Wroblewski’s experience. “He has a lot of [experience at] different levels of coaching.
“To be able to absorb some of the information he has to offer will only make our team better and help me develop my game as well.”
Craggs said one change already in place is the practice schedule. Because the high school students are all enrolled in the Austintown Fitch online program, Wroblewski has the players on the ice about three hours earlier.
And when something doesn’t go as expected, players are dropping to the ice for pushups.
“Coach Wrobo is holding everyone accountable so anything he sees he’s going to call out,” Craggs said. “The pushups are just one thing that’s going to keep you on your toes and keep your mind right.”
The key to the season will be how fast the forwards can start generating consistent offense. Last year’s top seven scorers (Kyle Connor, Max Letunov, Josh Melnick, Kiefer Sherwood, Tyler Sheehy, Ryan Lomberg and Taylor best) have moved on to college.
“It’s got to be on us, we’ve got to click together as a team,” Pearson said. “We’ll juggle some lines but I think we’ll find some lines that work.
“From what I’ve seen so far, we’ve got a lot of guys who look like they can produce offensively,” said Pearson who scored 26 points last season in 57 games. “Once the season gets rolling, I think we’ll be good.”
Kole Sherwood was expected to be one of the team’s top scorers. Instead, he’ll be playing for the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights.
“We were expecting him to get drafted, but it didn’t happen,” Craggs said. “He ended up going to the camp and obviously making a great impression.
We’re all happy for him. We’re excited to see where it takes him.”
Pearson admitted that Sherwood’s success caught him a little off-guard.
“Honestly, I didn’t see that coming but good for him,” Pearson said. “He’s a really good player and they felt he deserved a shot. I have a lot of respect for him and hopefully he does well.”
Wroblewski and Phantoms general manager Jason Koehler are leading the search for an assistant coach to replace Ronan. A hiring is expected by the end of next week.