Press Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Phantoms have acquired second-year forward Jonathan Liau from the Omaha Lancers in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2013 USHL Entry Draft, Head Coach and General Manager Anthony Noreen announced today. Liau, 20, has seven goals, eight assists and 15 points through 34 games this season. He is committed to Princeton University for fall 2012.
“[Liau] is a fast winger with some solid stick skills,” Director of Player Personnel Jason Koehler said. “Since we lost [Stephen] Collins (lower body injury), we thought it would be a diligent move. He helps us out – provides some more forward depth – and brings some added experience as a second-year guy in this league.”
New Phantom Jonathan Liau
Liau (pronounced LEE-oww) is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed winger from La Cañada Flintridge, Calif. Heregistered 11 goals and nine assists in 59 games for the Lancers last season, and his four game-winning goals were the second most on the team.
Koehler said that Liau’s speed is his biggest asset and that he can excel in variety different roles in Phantoms’ lineup because of it.
“He has the speed and skills to play at the level of our top line, but also has the flexibility to play throughout our lineup and contribute,” Koehler said. “And he is a Princeton commit like [Phantoms captain Mike] Ambrosia. He’s got his head on right and should be a good fit with our locker room as we push for the playoffs.”
In a separate transaction, the Phantoms dealt forward Zach Tatrn to the Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League for future considerations. Tatrn registered two goals and an assist over 16 games this season.
“This was a tough decision,” Noreen said. “Zach is a great player and an even better young man, who did everything the right way. We wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
Liau is expected to make his debut for the Phantoms this weekend.
(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)
Monday, February 6, 2012
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