The Youngstown Phantoms have acquired USHL defenseman Andrew Centrella, Affiliate player Braiden Clark, and a 2022 5th round Phase I pick in a deal with the Omaha Lancers. In exchange, the Phantoms sent forward Morgan Winters, defenseman Chris Hedden, and a 2022 Phase I 7th round pick to the Lancers.

 

Phantoms Co-GM, Ryan Kosecki stated “First and foremost, we would like to thank Morgan Winters and Chris Hedden for their time in Youngstown. We wish them nothing but the best of luck moving forward with the Omaha Lancers. In regards to Andrew Centrella, we are so excited to be adding him to our team in Youngstown. Andrew is a smart, competitive, and strong puck-moving defenseman who skates well.  In Braiden Clark we are getting a big, young kid, who is a smart hockey player that plays a strong 200-ft game and is a very mature player for his age. Most importantly, both kids are great people who fit the culture and style we are building in Youngstown.”

 

Centrella, a 5’9”, left-shot, 2004-birth year defenseman, spent last year as a member of the Northwood Prep School team in northern New York. He finished the year with 1 goal, 13 assists, for 14 points in 29 games played. He also had three assists in four games with Omaha last season. Prior to that he spent the previous three seasons playing for the Valley Forge Minutemen near his hometown of Philadelphia. Centrella had five assists in 12 games with Omaha this season. He is committed to Providence College.

 

Clark, a 6’0”, left-shot, 2005-birth year forward, is currently playing this season with his hometown Columbus Jr Blue Jackets, where he has six goals, 15 assists for 21 points in 20 games. He is also committed to Providence College. He is the son of former-NHL player Chris Clark who finished his career with the Blue Jackets amassing over 600 games played in the NHL. Clark played in Omaha’s first game of the season and recorded an assist against Cedar Rapids at the USHL Fall Classic, which was also his USHL debut.

 

Co-GM, Jason Deskins stated “This is a great day for our organization as we have added two elite hockey players, that will not only help us this year, but will be a huge part of our team moving forward as well. These two have not only the great work ethic and high-end skill we are looking for in our players, but most importantly we are adding two great people to our community.”

 

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