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PHANTOMS NOTEBOOK More from the Covelli Centre
Covelli contract: The Youngstown Phantoms are beginning the final season of a three-year contract the team reached with the Covelli Centre in spring 2014. Co-owner Troy Loney said the team has had talks about an extension with arena officials. He’s hoping an extension will be reached sooner rather than later. “We want to be in position where we are telling [hockey players’] families, ‘We’re here,’” Loney said. The 15-year NHL veteran and his wife, Aafke, became co-owners in March 2014. Bruce Zoldan, Phantoms Fireworks CEO, created the team in 2009 and remains an owner.
Optimistic: Although many of the Phantoms will be unfamiliar faces when the season begins, Loney cited the experience of Cam Morrison last season as a reason for hope. Morrison (34 goals, 32 assists) led the team in scoring then was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the NHL Draft in June. “I’m not sure we saw all that happening,” Loney said of last training camp. “We’re excited for what we went through last year, we’re excited for the group of players we have here.”
Veterans: Alex Esposito (11 goals, 14 assists) was seventh in scoring on last year’s team. Also returning up front are Noah LaLonde (7 goals, 13 assists), Tommy Apap (5 goals, 12 assists), Garrett Hall (4 goals, 10 assists) and Eric Esposito (2 goals, 8 assists). LaLonde joined the team after last season’s training camp ended. “This has been a little bit different. I was around for most of the season last year but I’m new to the training camp process.” LaLonde has experience playing with the other four returning veterans, especially Apap. “I also played with Garrett Hall quite a bit and I played with him the year before on an amateur team back home.” Hall and Lalonde are from Detroit. LaLonde and Apap are more likely to kill penalties than man the power play. “We penalty killed a lot,” LaLonde said.
Scoring: Hall said the veterans from last year’s camp have an advantage as well as more responsibilities. “You know what to expect,” said Hall, who is hoping to earn power-play time. “Scoring, moving the puck around, how to be creative in the offensive zone” are among the things Hall relishes.