Phantoms’ Gingell commits to Michigan

October 4, 2017 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown Phantoms defenseman Jake Gingell has announced his commitment to play for the University of Michigan, following the 2017-2018 season in the United States Hockey League (USHL).

The 6-foot, 200-pound defensemen, Gingell, of Gregory, Mich., joined the Phantoms last season after playing two years with the Omaha Lancers in the USHL. Gingell has played 57 games with the Phantoms, and a total of 163 games in the USHL. With the Phantoms, he tallied one goal and nine points last season as well as carrying a team-leading +21 rating.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always dreamed of playing hockey at the University of Michigan,” Gingell said. “The education there as well as the hockey made the decision a no-brainer for me. I feel the new coaching staff there is going to put the hockey program in a position to win a National Championship and I want to be a part of that and be a piece to the puzzle.

“The coaching staff in Youngstown has helped me develop into a higher caliber player and I can say confidently that is a huge reason why I got an opportunity to play at a big time college program.”

In other news Tuesday, the Phantoms announced the acquisition of forward Tommy Parrottino and a fourth-round Phase II Draft choice from the Des Moines Buccaneers in exchange for forward Nicolas Werbik.

“This trade and announcement is exciting for us as we acquire a forward that we feel will be a great addition to our forward group. We were looking for a scoring line LW with junior experience for our team given how heavy we are with right-shot forwards, and we found one that should fit right in,” said Phantoms GM Jason Koehler.

Werbik was the Phantoms’ leading scorer last season with 18 goals and 39 points. Werbik recently attended the New York Rangers’ NHL Rookie Camp and last season was named to the USHL Top Prospects Game in Sioux Falls back in January.

YSU men’s basketball to host Wine Taste

POLAND

The Youngstown State men’s basketball program will hold its fourth annual Wine Taste on Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at The Lake Club.

Individual reservations are available for $65 per person while a table of 10 costs $550 per table. The event include unlimited pours, multiple tables of different wines pair with appetizers, meat and cheese table and party favors.

The program will also include silent and live auctions to benefit the men’s basketball program.

Please RSVP by Saturday. For more information, please call YSU director of player personnel Kevin Bruinsma at (330) 941-3004.

Pioneering NASCAR owner Yates dies at 74

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Robert Yates, a pioneering NASCAR owner and engine builder who with Dale Jarrett won the 1999 Cup title, has died at 74. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in May and will be inducted next year.

Yates had liver cancer and son Doug Yates announced the death Monday night on Twitter . “He was a leader and inspired everyone around him to do their best and to take it to a new level,” Doug Yates said in a post by Roush Yates Engines. Roush Yates also posted to its social media accounts that Yates died “surrounded by his family and loved ones.” Robert Yates Racing won 57 races and 48 poles. Yates was a noted engine builder who helped guide Bobby Allison to the 1983 Cup title, with Daytona 500 victories for Davey Allison in 1992 and Jarrett in 1996 and 2000.

“First and foremost an engine guy, Robert will be remembered as a person who helped build the sport with dedication and hard work,” said Edsel B. Ford II, a board member of Ford Motor Co. “His legacy at NASCAR will be defined by his roles as an engine builder, championship team owner, co-founder of Roush Yates Engines and ultimately by the innovation that he brought to all of these endeavors and more.”

Staff and wire reports