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The Youngstown Phantoms, in conjunction with Black Bear Sports Group and Phantom Fireworks, have agreed to a contract extension for their head coach, Ryan Ward.  This extension will keep Ward in Youngstown through the 2027-2028 USHL season.

 

“Ryan Ward is an elite coach, an incredible leader and an even better person,” said Murry N. Gunty, Co-owner of the Youngstown Phantoms.  “Simply put, we are lucky to have Ryan leading our club.  Ryan is going to have an extraordinary hockey coaching career.”

 

“I can think of nobody that I would rather have behind the bench leading the Youngstown Phantoms,” said team president Andrew Goldman.  “After winning a Clark Cup in his first season in Youngstown, I am thrilled that Ryan Ward was only interested in extending his term here and guiding our team for the foreseeable future.  This is a very exciting time to be a Youngstown Phantom.”

 

Ward was named as the sixth Head Coach in Phantoms’ history on May 17th of 2022, and in his short time has led the program to the first Clark Cup Championship in the organization’s history. Youngstown went 8-1 in the postseason with convincing series wins over the Cedar Rapids Roughriders, Chicago Steel, and Fargo Force.  Under Coach Ward’s leadership, the team finished second in the 2022-2023 Eastern Conference regular season standings while posting a 38-19-4-1 record for 81 points and having 6 players drafted at the 2023 National Hockey League this past summer.  

 

 “We couldn’t be more excited to keep Ryan here with the signing of this extension,” said Co-General Managers Jason Deskins and Ryan Kosecki.  “Ryan did an amazing job in so many ways, from on-ice philosophy and team building, to off-ice stewardship - he created a culture that is rarely accomplished in team sports.  His record speaks for itself, but his passion, commitment to excellence, and dedication to our program is on a level that is nothing short of extraordinary.  We cannot wait to see Ryan back behind the Phantoms bench this season and beyond.”

 

The Phantoms open the season on September 30th vs the NTDP at the Covelli Centre.  To purchase your tickets, CALL (330) 747-PUCK (7825)