Catching Up with Parker Gahagen

Phantoms Netminder Eager for More as Playoffs Loom

April 11, 2025

There’s no question that the 2024-25 season has been filled with plenty of memorable moments for Phantoms netminder Parker Gahagen, but the 31-year-old former Army captain has his sights set on continuing to perform at the top of his game with the Calder Cup Playoffs right around the corner.

For Gahagen, his time with the Phantoms has presented an opportunity to fully showcase his potential and find success at a higher level of hockey that he always believed he could reach.

“I think any player just really wants the opportunity to be able to play at that level,” Gahagen said of his journey to earning a steady roster spot with Lehigh Valley. “I’ve always believed I could be successful at the AHL level, and you know, last year was the first chance I was able to get to kind of prove that. And then this year’s kind of the same thing, not only on a personal level, but also just within the organization.”

After going from an undrafted free agent following a four-year collegiate career at Army West Point to playing professionally, the 6’3” goaltender reflected on his professional career thus far, stating, “I think everyone’s journey is a little bit different. Everyone kind of reaches their peak or whatever at different times. So, I think it’s kind of just going into every day with the approach of trying to get just a little bit better every day and just trying to kind of reach that max potential, whatever that might be.”

The Amherst, New York native spent the first six seasons of his professional career primarily in the ECHL and AHL with nine different teams before signing with the Phantoms ahead of the 2023-24 season. Since joining the organization, he has established himself as an influential presence in the locker room and beyond.

“It’s great people throughout the organization,” Gahagen added regarding his experience with Lehigh Valley. “Lappy believes in me and all the coaching staff. Especially having the same guys too, a lot of the same players. I think having those relationships helps as well just helps you to really play for one another.”

His talent on the ice has also proven his ability as a key piece for the Phantoms this season, posting 2.38, .915, and a spectacular record of 11-3-3 in 20 appearances between the pipes.

Gahagen stated, “I think I’ve just kind of approached [this season] with the attitude of just doing whatever I can to help this team win games and come out on top. It’s a lot more fun to win than to lose. So, I just try to maintain that approach and just do whatever I can on a game-to-game basis just to make that possible and give this team the best chance possible to come away with the victory.”

Even despite coming up just short in overtime against Springfield last Saturday, Gahagen undoubtedly put forth one of his best performances of the season that featured spectacular saves while backing Lehigh Valley to an extra standings point.

Speaking on the intensity of a scoreless matchup in the crease, Gahagen admitted, “You get a little bit caught off, out of position a little bit, and you just kind of have to do whatever it takes just to again try to keep the puck out of the net, keep it at zero–because it was a zero-zero game at that point. So, you’re just trying to keep your team in the best position to come back there.”

Nonetheless, his calm demeanor and positive mindset have remained unfazed as he continues to focus on strengthening the details of his game entering the final stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs.

“I think, you know, with these last four games, I think we’re trying to gain some momentum going to the playoffs here,” said Gahagen. “I thought [last weekend] we still played two pretty solid games, we just didn’t get the results. So, I think it’s just continuing to build on those. I think honestly over the last five games we’ve been playing pretty well. We didn’t get obviously the results last weekend, but I think there’s something to build off of and something we can continue to build off of these last four games going into the playoffs here.”

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