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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Phantoms hockey players, from right, Conner MacEachern, Liam Robertson and John Larkin posed with Arron Williams at the Phantoms meet and greet event March 19 at the Boardman library.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Librarian Karen Saunders assisted children as they battled Phantoms player Conner MacEachern in floor hockey March 19 at the Boardman library.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Phantoms hockey player Aiden Galligher read "I'm Cool" to children gathered at the Boardman library March 19.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Liam Robertson, a Phantoms hockey player, assisted Ethan McNutt with making his craft at the Boardman library Phantoms meet and greet event March 19.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Four Phantoms hockey players read to children March 19 at the meet and greet event at the Boardman library.
By JESSICA HARKER
Four members of the Phantoms hockey team attended a meet and greet event at the Boardman library on March 19.
Number 92 - Liam Robertson, 27 - John Larkin, 2 - Aiden Galligher and 91 - Connor MacEachern visited the library, meeting with and reading to children and their families.
“Anytime we have a kids event we always want to invite the library, because we really want to promote reading to the children who attend our games,” said Phantoms Community Relations coordinator Arielle McNutt.
Phantoms players read a number of books to the children gathered at the event, including “I’m Cool” by Kate McMullan and “Goodnight Hockey” by Michael Dahl.
After the reading, children faced off against Phantoms players at a version of floor hockey, before creating a hockey themed craft to end the event.
The library also offered snacks and refreshments to children in attendance.
“We have received a lot of support over the years through this relationship with the Phantoms,” said Development Director Deborah Liptak who organized the event.
This annual meet and greet has been going on for 10 years according to McNutt, who explained the event is to help promote the Phantoms upcoming game.
“We really want to continue to promote reading in the area, and get children interested in reading at a young age,” McNutt said.
Each child who attended the event received a free ticket to the game.
The Phantoms also offer a discounted $9 ticket to any community member who shows their library card.
“We have an on going relationship that is truly great,” Liptak said. “We are very grateful for the Phantoms.”