Phantoms host ACH patients, families at Covelli Centre

February 18, 2016 at 12:07a.m.

By BRIAN DZENIS

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Phantoms took a break from the day-to-day grind of hockey to give back.

On Wednesday, the United States Hockey League team hosted patients from Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley and their families. The kids went on the ice with the players to learn some skills and play a few games.

“Some of them were pretty good at hockey so I think they all had a lot of fun. It was good,” Phantoms center Tommy Apap said. “In practice, we’re always banging hard and working hard. It’s nice to do something that gives back a little bit.”

The Phantoms have been a partner with the hospital since last year. This year, the team is hosting the kids to promote their Feb. 27 contest against the Bloomington Thunder. A portion of the proceeds from the game will go to the hospital and the team is also auctioning off memorabilia.

“The players came to the hospital last week. They were able to tour the hospital and see the different kids,” saidKelsey Moreton, the development coordinator at ACH. “Now they get to bring the kids from the hospital to their turf, so to speak.”

Six families —some with multiple kids— were in attendance. All have been patients at the hospital for various reasons. Some patients have severe disabilities or illnesses and others frequent the hospital for their pediatric needs. Shelly DiFabio was at the Covelli Centre with her three daughters, 12-year-old Brianna, 10-year-old Arianna and 8-year-old Juliana. Between the three of them, they’ve had six broken bones.

“They know my name when we walk in,” Shelly said of the ACH staff. “They’re very accommodating and they’re willing to work around our schedule.”

“They’re very sweet,” added Arianna, who recently had a cast taken off just in time for the event.

The DiFabios met the Phantoms last year after a game when they bumped into the players at a local Taco Bell.

“I like the whole team,” Brianna said. “They’ve had some new players since we last met.”

On the ice, the Phantoms taught the kids how to pass so they could play monkey-in-the-middle with the team. Most of the time the players were the monkeys, but the kids got to play that role, too.

“I liked it. I think they should do it again,” Brianna said.

Moreton thought the team was an excellent host in its first time hosting the event and shares the same feelings as the kids. The players got a lot out of it, too.

“It was little team bonding,” Apap said. “We are already a close team, but stuff like this always helps. It’s a good event and it’s good for the community.”

The Phantoms return to USHL action this weekend with games Friday night and Sunday afternoon against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.