Defenseman Ruggiero returns to Phantoms

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Phantoms will close out 2016 with with two new players on the bench.

One is a familiar face — defenseman Steven Ruggiero, who played with the Phantoms during the 2013-14 season.

Last season, Ruggiero played for the US National Team Development Program. This fall, he was playing for Providence before leaving college.

“When Ruggiero first played for Youngstown he was a high school junior and at an early age in the USHL showed that he was a character teammate,” said Jason Koehler, Phantoms General Manager. “We are excited to welcome him back to our team and organization.

“His decision to move back to the USHL from the NCAA will provide him the opportunity to play a more significant role this season, and will also give him the chance to move on to another college or university that will best enhance his hockey career,” Koehler said Thursday.

Ruggiero was a sixth-round pick (178th overall) by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2015 NHL Draft.

To make room for Ruggiero on the roster, the Phantoms traded defenseman Marcus Joseph to the Nanaimo Clippers in the British Columbia Hockey League.

“Marcus was a great teammate and player, and we wanted him to see more ice time the second half of the season before heading to Sacred Heart this fall,” Koehler said.

Also Thursday, the Phantoms acquired right wing Marshall Moise from the Madison Capitols. He fills the roster spot created when forward Brett Murray left for Penn State.

“Moise is someone we’ve watched for the past four years,” Koehler said. “He has the ability to play the role of a power forward.

“We wanted another scoring line winger and we believe Moise can do that for us moving into the second half of our season.”

Moise is committed to Ferris State University. He played in 18 games for the Capitols, recording two goals and four assists. Last season, Moise played for the Waterloo Blackhawks.

Saturday at 2:30 p.m., the Phantoms (16-9-2-1, 35 points) will play Team USA at the Covelli Centre.

The Phantoms are in second place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference after winning five of their seven games this month.