#40 | Phantom since 2016 | Position: Forward
Tell us about your hockey history:
Fifth year professional (three and a half with LA; one and a half with Phila). 2015 Calder Cup Winner/MVP of Playoffs.
What’s the best part about being a LV Phantom? What could you do without?
Best: The fans/facility Worst: Winter
What’s your dream team to be a part of?
Flyers
Do you have a passion project outside of hockey?
Real Estate
What’s something you must always have with you on the road?
Music and a book
Favorite away-game destination:
St. John’s, NL, Canada
Do you have a team nickname?
Wealer/Weals
What’s your go-to snack?
Trail Mix (no raisins)
What do you do in your down time?
TV shows/Video games
What’s your favorite place to go out in the Valley?
ROAR
What’s your go-to Netflix binge?
iTunes instead of Netflix—Spartacus is the show
What’s your favorite karaoke song?
“Follow Me” by Uncle Kracker
What’s one thing about you that people would never expect?
Read up to 15 books a year
Are you a lover or a fighter (on and off the ice)?
Lover for both
Words to live by:
“Be a good person and people will be good to you.”
What’s your favorite team-bonding activity?
Night out with the guys
Do you have any pre-game rituals? What about post-game indulgences?
Visualization
How many bones, teeth, body parts have you broken, lost, injured?
Jaw bone
#43 | Phantom since 2016 | Position: Defense
Tell us about your hockey history:
Grew up near Philadelphia, playing street/roller hockey. Started ice hockey when I was 11–12 years old. Played locally until age 17, and then went to Canada for three years. Got drafted my first year away to Buffalo Sabres. Been playing professionally for eight years, now with the Phantoms, hopefully Flyers one day and for a while!
What’s the best part about being a LV Phantom? What could you do without?
The best part right now is being a part of a winning team and a good, positive environment. Also, since I am close to home, having my family and little nephew be able to come watch me play live more often. I am very lucky!
What’s your dream team to be a part of?
Stanley Cup Philadelphia Flyers team, but will start with a Phantoms Calder Cup team.
Do you have a passion project outside of hockey?
I really enjoy playing sports. [I’m] trying to expand toward other things that spark my interest besides sports, expand my horizons. My brother, father and I started a business that is teaching me a lot of new things as well.
What’s something you must always have with you on the road?
Toothbrush
Favorite away-game destination:
Every rink is unique in its own way. I try to make positive associations with them all so that I look forward to playing there, but if I had to choose, maybe Hershey.
Do you have a team nickname?
Brens/T.J.
What’s your go-to snack? I try to eat as healthy as I can, take care of my body. That being said, I’m not perfect and I do love my
ice cream. Usually some coconut butter or maybe a nice healthy shake.
What do you do in your down time?
All depends. I am an active mind so I like to keep moving. Being close to my family now, I try to see them when I can. I like to stay balanced in all aspects of my life, so on off-days, I try to do something completely different or out of my comfort zone.
What’s your favorite place to go out in the Valley?
To be honest, I still feel really new! Haven’t seen as much as I’d like just yet, but with time I’ll find all the great places around here.
What’s your go-to Netflix binge?
I try not to watch too much TV. Probably because I could sit there for days and watch show after show. I really love The Office though. I’ll toss that on when I’m in the mood and get tuned in.
What’s your favorite karaoke song?
I’ll put it this way—if you find me singing karaoke, I’m sure things aren’t looking too good for myself.
What’s one thing about you that people would never expect?
This is probably embarrassing, but whatever. I used to pee the bed until I was probably 12–13. It was a problem! Thankfully, solved though! Another cool fact is when I started hockey, I was actually a righty!
Are you a lover or a fighter (on and off the ice)?
I try not to title myself too much, but if I had to pick, probably a lover! But I’ll let you find out yourself!
Words to live by:
“Be like water, adaptable to anything, any environment, any situation,” and “If you want to run with the big dogs, you have to lift your leg high.”
What’s your favorite team-bonding activity?
Anything that gets people out of their comfort zone!
Do you have any pre-game rituals? What about post-game indulgences?
Not exactly, just routines and try to prepare for the game as best as I can by warming up well and being mentally engaged and loose at the same time.
How many bones, teeth, body parts have you broken, lost, injured?
None yet! Minor injuries, of course, but nothing major.
#9 | Phantom since 2015 | Position: Center/Wing
Tell us about your hockey history:
In high school I played for the U17 [Under-17] and U18 [Under-18] national teams. I was also lucky enough to play for the USA U20 [Under-20] world junior team. I played my college hockey at Cornell University and then signed with the Flyers after my senior year.
What’s the best part about being a LV Phantom? What could you do without?
Having the best fans and facilities in the league. I could live without the long bus rides.
What’s your dream team to be a part of?
Any NHL team
Do you have a passion project outside of hockey?
I have been lucky enough to be a part of several successful breast cancer events including Lehigh Valley’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign.
What’s something you must always have with you on the road?
iPad
Favorite away-game destination:
St. John’s, NL, Canada
Do you have a team nickname?
Bards
What’s your go-to snack?
Peanut butter and banana sandwich (before games) and cereal (before bed)
What do you do in your down time?
Anywhere I am up and moving. I have a lot of energy; love cooking, the outdoors and all sports.
What’s your favorite place to go out in the Valley?
Usually bounce around Downtown Bethlehem but still looking for somewhere to call my favorite. Would love some suggestions.
What’s your go-to Netflix binge?
Currently, I am very into Entourage.
What’s your favorite karaoke song?
“Piano Man” by Billy Joel
What’s one thing about you that people would never expect?
I am absolutely terrified of snakes.
Are you a lover or a fighter (on and off the ice)?
Fighter on the ice but lover off the ice
Words to live by:
“Never too high, never too low.”
What’s your favorite team-bonding activity?
Bowling night
Do you have any pre-game rituals? What about post-game indulgences?
I don’t really have any rituals, but I do like to treat myself with a bowl of ice cream if I play well.
How many bones, teeth, body parts have you broken, lost, injured?
The list is pretty long, but some of the highlights include a broken neck, losing front four teeth and a nice Harry Potter scar on my wrist from a skate blade.
Home
• Moved from Glen Falls, NY to Allentown in 2014
• The purple used in their uniforms was replaced with blue when they moved to the Lehigh Valley
• Top minor league affiliate for NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers since their 1996-97 season
• Were originally called the Philadelphia Phantoms
Awards
1998 & 2005: Calder Cup Champions
1998 & 2005: Conference Champions
1996-97 & 1997-98: Regular Season Titles
1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 2003-04: Division Champions
Fun
Feb. 10: T-shirt giveaway
Feb. 11: Post-game autographs
Feb. 17: meLVin’s Birthday Bash
Feb. 18: ‘90s Night
Feb. 25: Faith Night
Mar. 11: Post-game skate with the team
Eat
Tim Hortons
This celebrated Canadian chain is known for its premium-blend coffee and light fare. Fill a Phantoms’ helmet with ice cream, too.
Chickie’s & Pete’s
Famous for their signature Crabfries, which are bathed in a secret blend of spices and served with their one-of-a-kind White Creamy Cheese Sauce, this Philadelphia-made sports bar is a must on game night.
99 Bottles
The most recent addition to the arena, 99 Bottles is an American-style gastropub with coal-fired comfort food; 70 bottled and canned craft beers plus 29 bourbons, scotches and whiskeys gives you their name.
