Phantoms Preparing For Preseason

Taylor Leier has been reassigned to Lehigh Valley. Photo: Nina Weiss/Highland Park Hockey

Leier, McDonald, Morin Reassigned to Lehigh Valley

Written by: Tony Androckitis, Twitter/Facebook
Allentown - The Lehigh Valley Phantoms held a nearly two-hour practice today, likely their final strenuous workout before this weekend's pair of preseason games on Friday and Saturday against the Charlotte Checkers.

There were plenty of drills, breakouts and special teams work today at the PPL Center and the AHL roster is really starting to take shape. There were both additions and subtractions today, with more cuts and reassignments on their way before the regular season gets underway.

One thing is certain. This should be an interesting season for the Flyers' AHL affiliate, so long as they put all the pieces together that they've added over the summer.



Additions

The Philadelphia Flyers reassigned defenseman Sam Morin and forward Taylor Leier to Lehigh Valley (AHL) today and forward Colin McDonald cleared waivers. The three are expected to practice with the Phantoms on Thursday.

Subtractions

The Phantoms reassigned goaltenders Mark Dekanich and Martin Ouellette to Reading (ECHL), while also releasing defenseman Miles Liberati and forward Ryan Penny from their tryouts.

Practice Notes

• The Phantoms had a total of 15 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders on the ice today.

• Forward Cole Bardreau was not on the ice today. It was later learned that Bardreau took a puck to the mouth Tuesday and was missing some teeth. Perhaps a visit to the dentist was in the works today. Bardreau is on the road to recovering from offseason abdominal surgery, and told Highland Park Hockey over the weekend that his goal is to be ready for the regular season opener on October 15th.

• Nothing official, but the Phantoms might have their alternate captains for the 2016-17 season already. After today's practice, the team took to center ice for their usual team stretch with two players in the middle of the circle. Two veterans in forward Chris Conner and defenseman T.J. Brennan. Could they be wearing the A's in this weekend's preseason contests?