Stephen Collins Commits to UConn

Press Release

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Phantoms and head coach Anthony Noreen are proud to announce that forward Stephen Collins has committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Connecticut this fall. Collins, 20, becomes the 18th player on the Phantoms’ 2011-2012 roster to commit to play NCAA Division-I hockey.

“We couldn’t be happier for Stephen, especially after all he went through this year,” Noreen said. “Yes, as coaches we’re here to try to win games, but really it’s about helping these guys develop – not just as players, but as men – with this goal in mind. I’m thrilled for him.”

Forward Stephen Collins
Collins, a Pittsford, N.Y. native, scored three goals and added five assists for eight points in 30 games while excelling in a two-way role for the Phantoms in 2011-2012. The three-year USHL veteran’s season came to an end prematurely when he suffered a perforated bowel after an unfortunate center-ice collision in a game against Team USA on Jan. 13.

“We were just starting to see his best hockey right before he got hurt. His loss had a big impact on our team,” Noreen said. “A lot of guys in his situation would have just gone home but Stephen came back to Youngstown, came on road trips and helped out in any way he could.

“To see him here and knowing that he’d give anything to play and still cared, I think that meant a lot to our guys. He was the epitome of a great teammate and he absolutely earned this commitment.”

The Phantoms acquired Collins on Nov. 10, 2010 in a trade with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. In 118 career USHL games with Youngstown and Cedar Rapids, he put up 18-16-34 along with 47 penalty minutes.

UConn is part of the 12-team Atlantic Hockey Association. Last season the Huskies, which have been coached by Bruce Marshall since 1988, went 16-19-4 overall and 12-12-3 in AHA conference play. They will open the 2012-2013 season against Massachusetts on Oct. 12 and will face 2012 Frozen Four Cinderella Union in their home opener on Oct. 27.

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