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Category: Opinion and Editorial
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In most hockey leagues the so-called puck luck starts before any games are played. I'm talking about the schedule of course. Junior hockey and the USHL are no exception. Long bus trips, back-to-back-(to-back) games; it all is part of the season. Everyone has to deal with it and that's sometimes what defines a team is how they deal with it. Other times, it's just bad timing. Playing the third game in as many nights on the road after losing a few top players can hurt you in more ways than just the standings if the team can't pull through. You also have to look at who your playing. Are you playing a lot of games against the defending champs who have most of their core players returning from last season or do you have more than your share against a group that's rebuilding with new, younger, players? So with the season opener looking, let's take a look at how the Phantoms upcoming season stacks up.

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A somewhat suprising move came out today via Vindy.com. The Phantoms have picked up Indiana Ice/Musgegon Lumberjacks veteran Alex Smith. The 6'0" 180 pound defenseman played 12 games with the Ice last season tallying 2 points, a goal and an assist and a +/- of -1, along with 19 penalty minutes. In 2011-2012 he played 42 games with the Jacks recording 15 points on 2 goals and 13 assists in 47 games, finishing a -13 with 49 PIMs. The Ice get a conditional draft pick in next seasons draft in exchange.

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I'll keep this updated as I go. These moves are totally unconfirmed and mostly will be based from Twitter inferences. So far cut:

Edit: The official lists are out! I'll probably edit the rosters later this weekend but I won't promise before opening since I'll be driving to Ann Arbor.


D #6 Jakob Chychrun 1998 Probably heading to the Toronto Jr. Canadians of the OJHL.
F #4 Mac MacSorly 1995 (Confirmed via Vindy.com)
D #28 Kale Bennet 1995 (Confirmed via Vindy.com)
F #22 Sebastian Vidmar 1995

In addition #57 D Steven Ruggiero has been relisted as an affiliate. Also, in the 1997 affiliates Ottwa Valley U16 D Riley Bruce is off the affiliate list and Langley (BCHL) F Marcus Vela is now listed.