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| Steven Swavely sticks with the Phantoms organization for 2017-18. Photo: Nina Weiss/Highland Park Hockey |
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Written by: Tony Androckitis - Twitter/Facebook
According to those close to the situation, Highland Park Hockey has learned that forward Steven Swavely has re-upped with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on another American Hockey League (AHL) contract for the 2017-18 season.
It will mark the beginning of his second full season of hockey at the professional level.
Although the organization's depth at the forward position relegated Swavely to mainly ECHL duty in 2016-17 with the Reading Royals, the former Maine University standout known for his defensive game and strong play in the face-off dot really broke out offensively with the Phantoms' ECHL affiliate this past season to the tune of 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 40 games.
In fact, Swavely's improved offensive play and adjustment to the pro game in his rookie season allowed him to not only join the Phantoms down the stretch but also saw him suit up for all five of the team's first round playoff games over guys on NHL contracts.
He's certainly thought highly of by the Phantoms' coaching staff, and it will be interesting to see how Swavely fits into the Phantoms' plans heading into the fall.
Swavely's role is pretty set in that he's good on the penalty kill and also a face-off guru, which led to him being inserted into the Phantoms' lineup in the postseason. The offensive development also bodes well for his chances to play more in the AHL in 2017-18.
With Swavely's addition via a one-year AHL contract, here's who is currently penciled in on the AHL roster:
Under Contract
Forwards: Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Greg Carey, Tyrell Goulbourne, Radel Fazleev, Danick Martel, Colin McDonald, Steven Swavely (AHL) and Mikhail Vorobyov
Defensemen: T.J. Brennan, Mark Friedman, Robert Hagg, Sam Morin, Philippe Myers, Will O'Neill, Travis Sanheim and Reece Willcox
Goaltenders: None signed
Impending Free Agents
NHL RFA: goaltenders Alex Lyon and Anthony Stolarz, defenseman
NHL UFA: defenseman Mark Alt and forwards Boyd Gordon, Chris Conner and
AHL UFA: goaltenders Mark Dekanich and Martin Ouellette, defenseman Max Lamarche and forwards Corban Knight, Derek Mathers, Chris McCarthy,
You can take a look at the rest of the Atlantic Division teams and how their rosters are shaping up before free agency begins by viewing our AHL Team Lists - Atlantic Division story.
I don"t understand why we give a new contract to some Swavely who will never play for the big club, and who will only take place from one of our prospects in the Phantoms line-up! And the same time we don"t sign our own draft pick Samuel Dove-McFalls, who would have had more up-side to his game and would have also being really good at face-offs, and he would also have being much bigger and more versatile player as a hole! So we saw what Radel Fazleev"s thoughts where after first season, and that should be a warning sign for our organization! Cause he basically was talking about how the Phantoms and Gordon prefers playing AHL vets over young up going prospects, and treat our future prospects basically like garbage, if they are not first round picks! So Hexy do something! Because if we don"t change our philosophy in our organization mowing forward like Toronto did whit the Marlies, we are pissing our own pants here! First it warms, but then id get"s gold in the future! And here i thought that we are investing to the future!
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