The Phantoms have set their final roster by sending seven players to the Reading Royals of the ECHL, four days ahead of the regular season debut at PPL Center.
Forwards Andrew Johnston, Matt Hatch, Derek Mathers and Marcel Noebels, goaltenders Martin Ouellette and Connor Knapp, and defenseman Maxim Lamarche were all sent to Reading. Hatch, Knapp and Ouellette are under AHL contracts while the others are on NHL deals with Philadelphia.
The Phantoms roster stands at 22 players.
Forwards (13): Brandon Alderson, Nick Cousins, Austin Fyten, Andrew Gordon, Kevin Goumas, Brett Hextall, Scott Laughton, Taylor Leier, Darroll Powe, Jay Rosehill, Zack Stortini, Petr Straka and Chris VandeVelde.
Defensemen (7): Mark Alt, Steven Delisle, Shayne Gostisbehere, Robert Hagg, Oliver Lauridsen, Brandon Manning and Jesper Pettersson.
Goaltenders (2): Anthony Stolarz and Rob Zepp.
Of course, with the entire organization calling Eastern Pennsylvania home this season, movement between Reading, the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia should be quite easy. These rosters will take advantage of that, and it also means that carrying just 22 players on the AHL roster means lots of players will get the chance to play, regardless of where they are. Fewer players wasting away in press boxes. Definitely a good thing.
The Phantoms season begins Saturday, October 11 in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Here’s their full schedule. The Royals begin preseason ECHL play on Friday the 10th, while the regular season begins Saturday, October 18 in Wheeling, W. Va.
