Phantoms Sign Forward Corban Knight

Corban Knight split last season between Portland (AHL) and Florida (NHL). Photo: Nina Weiss

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms continued to add to their ever-growing depth on the AHL roster today, signing forward Corban Knight to a standard American Hockey League contract for the 2016-17 season.

I wrote about the possibility of Knight joining the Phantoms at the start of free agency back in July.

Knight, who turns 26 later this month, is a natural center who spent considerable time playing the wing while in the AHL last season with the Portland Pirates where he four goals and seven assists in 33 games. He also spent 20 games in the NHL with the Panthers last season, tallying two goals and five assists.



While in the NHL, those in Florida said he was great in the face-off circle and produced like a solid 4th line center. When moved to the wing, his game sputtered and was ultimately why he was returned to the AHL. The Panthers media also raved about Knight as being a great person off the ice.

In his career, Knight brings 161 AHL games of experience (38G-54A) to the Phantoms, also adding 29 NHL games to his resume.

I wrote before free agency began that the Phantoms needed a proven scorer for their top line center position (Andy Miele), a dependable 2nd line center (Corban Knight) and a veteran defenseman that plays physical (Will O'Neill, though he's not a physical presence but instead a 50-point elite offensive defenseman). The Flyers also added LW Greg Carey (26 goals in AHL last season) to further bolster Lehigh Valley's forward core.

Here's what the Lehigh Valley Phantoms roster looks like following the addition of Knight:

Forwards (16): Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Cole Bardreau, Greg Carey, Chris Conner, Radel Fazleev, Tyrell Goulbourne, Corban Knight (AHL - 1 year), Taylor Leier, Danick Martel, Derek Mathers (AHL - 1 year), Colin McDonald, Andy Miele, Petr Straka, Kevin Sundher (AHL), Steven Swavely (AHL - 1 year) and Mark Zengerle (AHL - 1 year)

Defensemen (9): Mark Alt, T.J. Brennan, Robert Hagg, Max Lamarche (AHL - 1 year), Sam Morin, Will O'Neill, Jesper Pettersson, Travis Sanheim and Reece Willcox

Goaltenders (4): Mark Dekanich (AHL), Alex Lyon, Martin Ouellette (AHL - 1 year) and Anthony Stolarz

That doesn't include any reinforcements from Philadelphia, who appear to have an extra body or two on the current projected NHL roster.

In case you missed it, the Phantoms announced their preseason schedule earlier this week.

For all the latest news surrounding the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, be sure you're following along on Twitter (@TonyAndrock) and on Facebook.

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