Lehigh Valley Phantoms Roster Taking Shape

Brett Hextall remains unsigned by the Phantoms. Is there room for him on the AHL roster?

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms have added another forward into the mix on an AHL contract, bringing the preliminary AHL depth chart up to 17 forwards (now 18 with addition of Jay Rosehill). Another defensemen inked to a contract by Lehigh Valley gives the blue line 11 players who will be looking to battle to make the AHL roster this fall.

Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Syracuse Crunch forward Geoff Walker, who split the 2014-15 season between the Ontario Reign and Missouri Mavericks in the ECHL, tweeted on August 2nd that he has indeed joined the Phantoms for the upcoming season.


The Phantoms made that signing official on Friday in addition to the signing of defenseman Logan Pyett to an AHL deal for the 2015-16 season. Pyett, 27, spent the last two seasons overseas in the KHL but prior to that was an offensively-minded AHL defenseman with the Grand Rapids Griffins and Connecticut Whale (now Hartford WolfPack) - tallying four straight 20-plus point seasons from 2009-10 to 2012-13.

EDIT (8/29): The Phantoms have bolstered their goaltending depth by re-signing goaltenders Connor Knapp and Martin Ouellette to standard AHL contracts.

EDIT (8/31): The Phantoms re-signed enforcer Jay Rosehill to an AHL contract for the 2015-16 season.

The Flyers top minor league affiliate has built up some solid depth this summer and looks to be much more competitive this fall. A look at the roster after the jump.
Under Contract For 2015-16

Goaltenders (4): Connor Knapp (AHL), Jason LaBarbera, Martin Ouellette (AHL) and Anthony Stolarz

Defensemen (11): Mark Alt, Davis Drewskie, Shayne Gostisbehere, Robert Hagg, Maxim Lamarche, Nick Luukko (AHL), Brandon Manning, Christian Marti, Samuel Morin, Jespser Pettersson and Logan Pyett (AHL)

Forwards (18): Brandon Alderson, Tim Brent, Cole Bardreau, Chris Conner, Nick Cousins, Tyrell Gouldbourne, Kevin Goumas (AHL), Scott Laughton, Taylor Leier, Danick Martel, Derek Mathers, Colin McDonald, Pavel Padakin (AHL), Aaron Palushaj, Chris Porter, Jay Rosehill (AHL), Petr Straka and Geoff Walker (AHL).

Some fun with line combinations. Yes, it's way too early for anything definitive but here's a look at a possible lineup this fall as it stands currently.

Taylor Leier - Scott Laughton - Chris Conner
Colin McDonald - Nick Cousins - Tim Brent
Petr Straka - Cole Bardreau - Aaron Palushaj
Chris Porter - Kevin Goumas - Pavel Padakin

Mark Alt - Brandon Manning
Robert Hagg - Christian Marti
Shayne Gostisbehere - Samuel Morin
Davis Drewiske - Logan Pyett

Jason LaBarbera - Anthony Stolarz

2015 Flyers/Phantoms Free Agents

NHL UFA

Jason Akeson - Buffalo Sabres
Andrew Gordon - Linkoping (SHL)
Andrew Johnston - unsigned
Blair Jones - Calgary Flames
Matt Konan - unsigned
Oliver Lauridsen - Frolunda (SHL)
Jay Rosehill - unsigned
Zach Stortini - Ottawa Senators 
Rob Zepp - unsigned

AHL UFA

Steven Delisle -Springfield Falcons
Brett Flemming - unsigned
Austin Fyten - Hershey Bears (AHL deal)
Kevin Goumas - re-signed with Lehigh Valley (AHL deal)
Brett Hextall - unsigned
Darroll Powe - unsigned
Martin Ouellette - unsigned

Weekly Summer Features at The Home News

As I'm sure you have seen this summer, I've been providing around-the-clock coverage of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the offseason via The Home News.

My goal is to be the go-to source for all the latest news, notes & features surrounding the team. If you have missed any, I've linked to each week's story that published in the newspaper below:

Danick Martel Making Full-Time Jump to Pro Hockey

Anthony Stolarz Working Toward Consistency in Net For 2015-16 Season 

Kevin Goumas Searching For Strong Second Season With Phantoms

Taylor Leier Loading Up For 2015-16 Season 

Cole Bardreau Working Toward Breakout Rookie Season in 2015-16

Pavel Padakin Brings Two-Way Game To Lehigh Valley

Nick Luukko Learning Pro Game in Lehigh Valley