Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Phantoms Trio Make College Commitments

Press Release

The Youngstown Phantoms announced that three players – Taylor Holstrom, Brett Gensler, and Andrej Sustr – have made their college hockey plans to play at NCAA Division I programs.

Taylor Holstrom will attend Mercyhurst College following his USHL career. The 19-year-old forward from Yorba Linda, California currently ranks second on the Phantoms in scoring with 30 points (11g, 19a) while playing in all 46 games this season. He was selected to compete in the 2010 USHL All-Star Game and collected one assist during the contest. Holstrom is in his second USHL season after recording 19 points (8g, 11a) in 55 games for the Omaha Lancers in 2008-09. He played his 100th career game in the League on Friday.

Three other current USHL players are committed to attend Mercyhurst College; Dan O'Donoghue (Des Moines Buccaneers), Ryan Misiak (Sioux Falls Stampede), and Nate Jensen (Tri-City Storm). Mercyhurst College is located in Erie, Pennsylvania and is a member of the Atlantic Hockey Association. Nine former USHL players are currently on the roster for the Lakers.

Brett Gensler will attend Bentley University. The 19-year-old forward is third on the Phantoms in scoring with 27 points (13g, 14a) in 45 games this season and leads the team with three game-winning goals. The native of St. Charles, Missouri is in his second USHL season after recording 20 points (10g, 10a) in 52 games for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in 2008-09.

The Bentley University Falcons are a member of the Atlantic Hockey Association. Former USHL forward Erik Peterson (Sioux Falls Stampede) is currently on the roster for the Falcons.

Andrej Sustr is committed to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The 6-6 defenseman has collected 14 points (14a) in 36 games during his first USHL season. The 19-year-old native of Plzen, Czech Republic also represented his country during the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship playing five games as the team won three games during the tournament.

Seven other current USHL players are committed to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha; Brock Montpetit (Waterloo Black Hawks), Bryce Aneloski (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Johnnie Searfoss (Fargo Force) Brian O'Rourke (Green Bay Gamblers), Nick Oddo (Omaha Lancers), Matt White (Omaha Lancers), and Patrick Borer (Sioux City Musketeers). A member of the CCHA, the University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks lead the NCAA with an impressive 20 former USHL players on the roster and are coached by Dean Blais, who was the 2008-09 USHL Coach of the Year while leading the Fargo Force. Associate Head Coach Mike Hastings is the USHL's all-time leader in coaching victories (529) after guiding the Omaha Lancers for 14 seasons (1994-2008). Assistant Coach Nick Fohr was a player for the Lincoln Stars for two seasons (1996-98)

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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