PREVIEW: Phantoms vs. Penguins, Preseason

ROSTERS AND GAME INFO HERE

Lehigh Valley Phantoms vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
October 1, 2024 – Preseason Game #1

TONIGHT – The Phantoms are officially BACK as they open the preseason tonight against the rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at PPL Center. Lehigh Valley swept the Penguins in the opening round of the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. The last time these teams met, Jacob Gaucher scored the winning goal in overtime to finish the series in one of the greatest moments in PPL Center history. Tonight is also the first preseason game for the entire AHL.

ROSTER – 32 players are on the roster to open the preseason including a mix of returning favorites, newcomers, and tryout players from the Reading Royals. View the Phantoms roster for tonight’s game here:

2024-25 Phantoms Training Camp Roster

MEDIA MATERIALS – Fans can browse rosters and Media Materials for both teams here:

https://www.phantomshockey.com/media-materials/

MOVING UP – Several players who had arrived for Phantoms Training Camp on Sunday have since returned to the Philadelphia Flyers to join the big club for their final preseason games. Yesterday it was Sawyer Boulton, Brendan Furry and Rhett Gardner who departed Lehigh Valley camp to play in yesterday’s game at the New York Islanders. Furry scored a goal on a redirect of an Emil Andrae shot. Tonight’s call ups include Elliot Desnoyers and Jacob Gaucher who will play for Philadelphia this evening at the Boston Bruins.

Back on the board!

Brendan Furry makes it 3-2 at 14:13 with assists from Emil Andre and Erik Johnson. #PHIvsNYI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/udebOu6sYi

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 1, 2024

RETURNING PLAYERS – Some of the returning players on the Phantoms Training Camp roster:
17 Garrett Wilson (Captain)
7 Louie Belpedio (Alternate Captain)
5 Ethan Samson
12 Ronnie Attard
14 J.R. Avon
22 Rhett Gardner
91 Elliot Desnoyers

NEWCOMERS ARRIVING – Some of the new additions:
9 Sam Sedley, 21, D, 5’11”, AHL Contract (from Owen Sound-OHL)
14 Emile Chouinard, 23, D, 6’5″, AHL Contract (from Baie-Comeau-QMJHL)
73 Massimo Rizzo, 23, F, 5’10”, CAR, 2nd Round 2019 (acquired in trade 2023)
76 Matteo Mann, 19, D, 6’5″, PHI 7th Round 2023
32 Eetu Makiniemi, 25, G, 6’5″, (Last Year, San Jose Barracuda-AHL)
80 Keith Petruzzelli, 25, G, 6’6″, (Last Year, Toronto Marlies-AHL)

IT’S IN THE BLOOD 
29 Brock Caufield – Brother of Cole Caufield of Montreal
36 Sawyer Boulton – Son of former NHL enforcer Eric Boulton
57 Mason Primeau – Son of Wayne Primeau, Nephew of former Flyer Keith Primeau
59 Tyler Gratton – Brother of Phantoms Assistant Strength Coach Chris Gratton
72 Alexis Gendron – Son of Flyers scout Martin Gendron (played 30 games NHL, 283 games AHL)

PHANTOMS SIGNEES – Some new and returning Phantoms who have been signed to AHL deals for the 2024-25 season:
9 Sam Sedley – D
10 Matt Brown – F
11 Nick Capone – F
14 Emile Chouinard – D
23 Gianfranco Cassaro – D
25 Matt Miller – F
36 Sawyer Boulton – F
39 Jacques Bouquot – F
55 Xavier Bernard – D
57 Mason Primeau – F
59 Tyler Gratton – F
31 Parker Gahagen – G
80 Keith Petruzzelli – G

STILL IN FLYERS CAMP – Philadelphia’s training camp roster is currently at 36 players. Several Phantoms players from last year’s team and some new additions with two-way contracts are still competing in camp with the Philadelphia Flyers:
Emil Andrae
Adam Ginning
Hunter McDonald
Olle Lycksell
Anthony Richard
Samu Tuomaala
Cooper Marody
Rodrigo Abols
Oscar Eklind
Cal Petersen
Alexei Kolosov

LET’S TAKE A LOOK – Five players on ECHL contracts with the Reading Royals are with the Phantoms as tryout invites. While these players are unlikely to make the Phantoms’ roster for Opening Night, head coach Ian Laperriere will gain some familiarity with these players as possible depth options in the future:
21 Logan Britt – D
24 Connor McMenamin – F
29 Brock Caufield – F
33 Vinnie Purpura – G
46 Lou-Felix Denis – F

HE LOOKS FAMILIAR – Kirk McDonald is the new head coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2024-25. The 40-year-old bench boss was previously an assistant coach and head coach of the ECHL Reading Royals for seven seasons from 2014-2022 and made regular appearances at PPL Center where he was familiar with many of the players. McDonald spent the last two seasons coaching the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL.

COMING UP – The preseason continues this Saturday night with the defending Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears invading PPL Center. Lehigh Valley concludes the preseason on Sunday, October 6 at 3:05 with a rematch exhibition tilt on the road at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

UPCOMING

Tuesday, October 1 – Home Preseason Game – Phantoms vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Saturday, October 5 – Home Game – Phantoms vs. Hershey Bears

Sunday, October 6 (3:05) – Away Preseason Game – Phantoms at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Saturday, October 12 – Opening Night! – Phantoms vs. Hartford Wolf Pack – Rally Towels

 

Phantoms Premier Memberships for the upcoming 2024-25 season are available now. Your year-long membership includes tickets to all Phantoms home games inside PPL Center as well as year-round benefits and experiences exclusive to Premier Members.

 

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