Phantoms Add Forward Zach Evancho To Roster

Press Release

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio –The Youngstown Phantoms have added forward Zach Evancho to their roster, Head Coach and General Manager Anthony Noreen announced Tuesday. Prior to joining the Phantoms, Evancho, 16, played for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres Under-18 AAA team.

“Zach is a young player with high-end offensive skills,” Noreen said. “His biggest asset is his ability to create time and space for himself and make plays. Not only does he give us a boost down the stretch [this season], but it also helps to bring him in and get him adjusted to the school, the team and the community here in Youngstown.

“He is someone who is going to big part of our organization in the future.”

Evancho, a 5-foot-8, 150-pound left-handed winger, is a native of Derby, N.Y., and put up 14 goals, 18 assists and 32 points in 36 games with the Jr. Sabres this season. He scored 11 goals to go along with 13 assists and 34 points in 35 games last season with the Buffalo Regals U-16 AAA team.

Phantoms Director of Player Personnel Jason Koehler said that they have been watching Evancho over the past two seasons and that they had him pegged as one of the top available forwards in this May’s upcoming USHL Entry Draft. He said wanted to thank the entire Buffalo Jr. Sabres organization for facilitating the move mid-season.

“The Buffalo Jr. Sabres are one of the elite development programs in the nation and I’d personally like to thank [Jr. Sabres Head Coach] Mike Mondoux [Team General Manager] Anthony Tomasula, and [Program General Manager] Robert Maxick for working for us to make this move,” Koehler said. “I’d also like to thank Zach’s parents John and Bonnie and the entire Evancho family. Without them and their support, this could not have happened.”

Evancho will enroll in Ursuline High School for the remainder of the season. He will join the Phantoms on Tuesday and wear No. 88 for the team.

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