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Phantoms’ Hall gets the call for Team USA
Chagrin Falls native picked for Team USA
By Dan Hiner
youngstown
Youngstown Phantoms forward Curtis Hall has played hockey since he was 5 years old. And during his time in Youngstown, he has made a name for himself with the Phantoms.
Hall is leaving for Truto, Nova Scotia, today to join the Team USA roster for the 2017 World Junior A Challenge.
The tournament runs from Dec. 10-16, but Hall is meeting with the team for early practices.
Other teams competing are Canada East, Canada West, Czech Republic, Russia and Switzerland.
“I’m just really excited and really honored to be selected for the team,” Hall said. “I can’t wait to get over there, to Nova Scotia. I leave on Tuesday [today], and I’m so excited.”
Team USA won the title in six of the previous 11 tournaments.
The Phantoms forward grew up in Chagrin Falls and is attending Ursuline High School.
“It’s a big honor for me,” Hall said. “I’m really proud, I put a lot of hard work in and I’m ready to go over there and help Team USA win a gold.”
Hall has scored 10 goals and seven assists through the first 18 games of the 2017-18 season. His 17 points are tied with Matthew Barry for the team lead.
He has improved since his rookie year with the Phantoms. In 2016-17, he had 14 assists and seven goals.
“He’s always been a dominant player at whatever level he’s at,” Phantoms head coach Brad Patterson said. “To jump into a league like this at 16 years old is extremely, extremely hard. Curtis went through his growing pains at the start of last year. By the end of the year he was one of our best players and that’s continued on to this year. He hasn’t rested on that, he’s driven and he shows up every day.
“He competes and works hard off the ice, but I think fundamentally, his habits away from the puck have gotten better. And that’s fueled his success.”
Patterson said the selection was something Hall “deserved” because he’s put in work in practice and during workouts. He said Hall has worked to get better and has played well this season.
The Phantoms have won five straight games and are the top team in the USHL’s Eastern Conference. Hall will miss four games while playing in the tournament, two against Sioux Falls and two against Cedar Rapids. Hall said it will be a different experience since he’ll be away from the team during the season.
“I’m really excited to go but at the same time it stinks,” Hall said. “The team’s on a roll right now, hopefully they’ll keep it going.”
Patterson told Hall to continue his style of play when he arrives in Nova Scotia.
“It’s gonna be a great experience, and no matter what the outcome is, I’ll look [back] at it the rest of my life,” Hall said.