Phantoms’ Hunter claimed by Fighting Saints

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Phantoms released forward Dalton Hunter who was claimed on USHL trade waivers by the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

The Phantoms will receive cash compensation for Hunter (Mercyhurst College).

The roster change has opened the door for forward Jagger Joshua to officially move off the USHL Injured Reserve List and onto the Phantoms’ active roster.

Hunter was in his first full season with the Phantoms after spending the last three seasons in the NAHL with the Johnstown Tomahawks.

Hunter was the Phantoms’ fifth round draft selection (73rd overall) in the Phase II Draft in May. Hunter has played just one of the Phantoms’ first six games.

Hunter played two games for the Phantoms last season in December in a loan agreement with Johnstown. He had been previously drafted by the Phantoms in 2014 as a ninth round pick (137th overall) when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U18 AAA program.

“We had a league deadline on Tuesday where we were required to trim down from five to four 20-year-old players as per league rules ,” said Jason Koehler, Phantoms general manager.

“This was not a change we looked forward to as we knew this time would come where we would have to move one of our quality players, and in this case it was Dalton due to areas of need on our team right now and in the near future,” Koehler said. “Dalton is a very good player and human being and we’re glad to see him get a new opportunity in our league – we wish him all the best.”

Joshua did not play any preseason or regular season games

“Jagger Joshua is a power forward and was one of the top forwards in U18 AAA hockey last season,” Koehler said. “Jagger now has had training camp and the first few weeks of the regular season to practice and train with us while he recovered from an injury he suffered during our camp back in June. We feel he’s ready to go and add an element maybe we haven’t yet seen from our forward group so far.”

Joshua was the Phantoms’ eighth round pick (126th overall) in the 2015 Phase II USHL Draft.