Phantoms Bolster Goaltending Depth With Dekanich

Veteran netminder Mark Dekanich joins Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Photo: Tori Hartman

In back-to-back days, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms made some depth moves to sure up the depth of their roster for the upcoming season.

On Tuesday, it was forward Kevin Sundher re-signing a one-year AHL contract. Wednesday, the Phantoms added another goaltender to the mix with the signing of veteran netminder Mark Dekanich to an AHL deal for the 2016-17 season.



Dekanich, 30, returned to North American pro hockey last season after a stint overseas in the KHL with Zagreb Medvescak. In 2015-16, he spent the majority of the season in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays while on an AHL deal with the Hershey Bears organization - going 20-9-4 with a 2.16 goals-against average and .925 save percentage to go along with two shutouts.

The North Vancouver, BC native was Nashville Predators' 5th round pick in 2006. Following a four-year collegiate career at Colgate University, Dekanich turned pro with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals in the 2008-09 season. Prior to heading overseas, Dekanich had back-to-back 20 plus win seasons in the AHL with Milwaukee before a year with the St. John's IceCaps and then the one and a half seasons in the KHL.

The veteran goaltender will be entering his ninth season at the pro level this fall and gives the Phantoms more depth and experience in net to go along with Anthony Stolarz, Alex Lyon and Martin Ouellette. He figures to pair with Ouellette in the ECHL with the Reading Royals, but has proven throughout his pro career he can handle an AHL-level workload and is a great insurance policy to have if and when mid-season injuries arise.