Friday, April 22, 2011

Andrew Sinelli Commits to the University of Michigan

Press Release

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Phantoms and Head Coach Curtis Carr take great pride in announcing the commitment of forward Andrew Sinelli to the University of Michigan for the fall of 2011. Sinelli becomes the sixteenth Phantom to secure a college commitment from the 2010-11 roster. He will study in the School of Kinesiology at Michigan.

Sinelli, a Dexter, Mich. native, was acquired by the Phantoms via a trade with the Dubuque Fighting Saints on November 1. In 38 games played with the Phantoms, Sinelli tallied five goals and three assists for eight points. The winning tradition at Michigan is what drew the Phantoms forward to go play for Big Blue.

Andrew Sinelli will play at the University of Michigan this coming fall.
Phantoms, Sinelli tallied five goals and three assists for eight points. The winning tradition at Michigan is what drew the Phantoms forward to go play for Big Blue.

“The first thing you see when you walk into Yost Arena is all of their banners,” said Sinelli. “It is a winning program with a great tradition and I am very excited to be playing in Ann Arbor. I love to win and I hate losing more than anything. I want to win and that was one of the main reasons I chose Michigan.”

Two of Sinelli’s three goals with the Phantoms came on the penalty kill. The Phantoms forward saw significant time killing off penalties for the Phantoms and his two shorthanded goals put him in a four-way tie for the team lead. His penalty killing prowess will come in handy as battles for a roster spot as an incoming freshman.

“I am a high energy forward,” said Sinelli. “I like to play physical and I am not afraid to block some shots. I will have to compete for my playing time and my work in Youngstown on the penalty kill will allow me to succeed on the college level.”

According to Head Coach Curtis Carr the Phantoms are not only losing one of their forwards but they are losing a true leader in the locker room and on the ice.

“This is a bittersweet moment for the Phantoms,” said Carr. “We traded for Andrew because he is a great character player who was a great leader in the locker room. We were hoping to have him back and be one of the captains on our team. His dream has been to play at Michigan and now he has the chance to do that.”

Sinelli is yet another example of what the USHL strives for when developing players. Sinelli started his career last season with the Sioux City Musketeers before moving to the Fighting Saints at the start of this season. Sinelli finished with 95 games played, 12 goals, 14 assists, 26 points and 123 penalty minutes in two USHL seasons.

“You have to come ready to play every night,” said Sinelli. “With the two expansion teams added to the league this season, it makes the USHL that much deeper. Every team is so competitive and with us missing the playoffs by just two points it really shows how important every game is.”

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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