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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.The children at the Boardman library lined up to get their books signed by the Youngstown Phantom players at the Boardman library on Feb. 21.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Youngstown Phantoms hockey players showed the guests at the Boardman library on Feb. 21 the different equipment they use to play.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Some of the Youngstown Phantom hockey players read books to children at the Boardman library on Feb. 21.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Players from the Youngstown Phantoms hockey team came to the Boardman library on Feb. 21 to host a special story time for children.
The children who attended had the chance to make a craft, listen to a couple stories, learn about the different hockey equipment and meet and get an autograph from the players. The player who came were Max Ellis, Evan Wisocky, Jake Gingell and Tommy Apap.
The players started out story time by introducing themselves and saying what position they played. Introductions were followed by a story about a Zamboni. When the story was finished, the children were asked if they had ever played hockey or like going to watch hockey games. Several of the children who were there said she liked going to hockey games, especially the Phantoms.
The children were then introduced to the different kinds of equipment hockey players used. There were gloves, a helmet and a stick that got passed around the room. The children also were able to look at the skates, but not touch because they were sharp.
Books about the Youngstown Phantoms were passed out to the children who then had the opportunity to get the books signed by the players.
Deborah Liptak, Development Director of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, said being able to bring in celebrity guests for story time brings a new level of excitement for the children. The Youngstown Phantoms are offering special deals for children who bring in their library card when they come to games.
The Phantoms and the PLYMC have worked together for years. Earlier in the season, the Youngstown Phantoms hosted a Library Night, where there was a story time in the concourse, a live-reading between game periods and free popcorn for the first 500 guests.
The PLYMC and Youngstown Phantoms hope to continue their partnership as a way to bring more interest to reading and hockey.