Phantoms hire Peruzzi as assistant coach

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Phantoms have hired Nick Peruzzi to be an assistant coach to replace Tom Upton who will be on the Mercyhurst College staff this season.

Peruzzi will join head coach Brad Patterson and assistant coach Jeff Potter on the bench.

“Nick’s experience coaching, recruiting, and building successful programs at the NAHL and AAA levels will certainly be something that we will pull from this year as well his intensity and energy,” Patterson said. “It’s always good to get some new blood in the organization and on the staff.”

Peruzzi comes to the Phantoms from the North American Hockey League, where he spent last season with the Philadelphia (Aston) Rebelsa.

“We are excited to add Nick to our staff,” Phantoms general manager Jason Koehler said. “He has a great reputation for working with and developing young players.

“I saw firsthand the impressive work he did at the AAA level building up the Oakland Grizzlies organization the last few seasons and then make a strong transition to the junior level by helping take the Aston Rebels to the next level in the NAHL,” Koehler said. “We had a ‘Peruzzi player’ last season in former forward Coale Norris and Coale raved about his time with Coach Peruzzi.”

Peruzzi, a Rochester Hills, Mich., native served as assistant coach, video coach, and recruiting coordinator during the 2016-17 season. He also served as the team skills and development instructor providing players with individual video instruction and on ice skills sessions.

“I look forward to joining the Phantoms’ staff, making our players better, and coaching in the USHL,” Peruzzi said. “I can’t wait to get started here.”