Phantoms begin search begins for new faces

June 11, 2016 at 12:09a.m.

Phantoms have more spots to fill than usual

BOARDMAn

Five days into his head coaching career, Brad Patterson could not be happier even though he faces a big challenge in restocking his hockey team.

The Youngstown Phantoms have just seven players returning for the 2016-17 season so Patterson will use this weekend’s tryout camp to find 23 new faces including two goaltenders for the initial 30-man roster.

“It’s an exciting time,” Patterson said on Friday during the Phantoms’ first full day of scrimmages at The Ice Zone. “The best thing about it is to right away jump into [tryout] camp instead of waiting one or two months to get the season under way.

“Seeing kids, processing things, making decisions — that’s what [I] want to do,” said Patterson who has been on the Youngstown hockey scene for 10 years. He played two seasons with the Youngstown SteelHounds (2006-07 and 2007-08) and joined the Phantoms coaching staff in January 2010.

Seven players — five forwards and two defensemen — are back.

Defenseman Tommy Apap said he and the six returners are “really excited” for Patterson’s promotion.

“We couldn’t be happier,” Apap said. “It’s awesome that he’s the head coach — such a good coach and such a good guy, too.

“He’s really easy to communicate with and you know he’s got your back all the time,” Apap said. “That’s something you really like out of a coach.”

Forward Noah Lalonde came to camp “super excited” because of Monday’s coaching announcement.

“Great guy on the ice and a great person you could go to off the ice,” Lalonde said. “I’m so happy for him because he’s been here so long. I think he’s ready to be the head coach.

“He knows Youngstown better than anyone.”

Patterson replaced John Wroblewski who last month joined the U.S. National Team Development Program and will coach Team USA’s 18-under squad. Wroblewski was hired last July after four-year Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen joined the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears.

“I’ve been able to work with great people,” Patterson said. “The staffs here have always been great. To be able to work alongside good hockey minds, you’re always able to incorporate that.”

Wednesday, 48 goalies tried out. Twelve were selected to play on the six teams that scrimmaged Friday. In all, 120 players are in camp.

Each team played twice on Friday and will play once today. Then two teams of 20 will be announced and play each other tonight and Sunday morning.

Thirty players will be kept for the roster that the Phantoms will submit to the USHL in early July.

“This is the first year we haven’t had a returning goalie,” Patterson said. “This is the lowest number we’ve ever returned.

“There are a lot of young skill guys that we’re bringing in and it’s our job to develop them.”

The other returning players are defenseman Ty Farmer and forwards Alex Esposito, Eric Esposito, Carter Ekberg and Garrett Hall.

Lalonde’s team won both of its 60-minute (running clock) scrimmages.

“It’s good to see everybody on the ice,” Lalonde said, noting that the veterans offer a good measuring stick to those hoping to move up to the USHL level. “I feel good — training obviously helped me prepare.

“But you can train as much as you want, you can skate as much as you want but there’s nothing like playing. It really tests your legs, it really tests your conditioning.

“The first couple of minutes were rough, but after that you get the rust off and you’re golden.”