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Nine Phantoms are heading to Philadelphia as part
of the Flyers "Black Aces" playoff squad.
All of the players being recalled from Adirondack
are eligible to play in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs
and will get the experience of being part of Philadelphia's
post-season run. They will practice with the team
at their practice facility in Voorhees, NJ and will
be available should the need arise with the Flyers.
Game one of the Flyers opening round playoff series
is Thursday night vs. the Buffalo Sabres. Congratulations
to the following Phantoms:
G Johan Backlund
D Matt Walker
D Erik Gustafsson
D Kevin Marshall
C Ben Holmstrom
LW Zac Rinaldo
LW Michael Ryan
RW Mike Testwuide
LW Eric Wellwood
Johan Backlund: 29 year old goalie from Sweden
who just completed his second season of AHL hockey
with the Phantoms. Backlund was 10-19-3, 3.28, .890
this year. He was the team MVP for the Phantoms
in 2009-10 going 21-17-2, 2.79, .906.
Matt Walker: 31 year old defenseman with 310 games
of NHL experience with St. Louis, Tampa Bay and
Philadelphia. Walker played in 11 games this year
with the Phantoms recording two assists. Walker
battled his way through a pair of hip surgeries
this season. His last game with the Phantoms was
February 19 vs. Charlotte. Beaverlodge, Alta. was
a 3rd round pick of the St. Louis Blues in 1998.
Walker played in just four games with the Flyers
this year.
Erik Gustafsson: 22 year old rookie represented
the Phantoms and Eastern Conference at the AHL All-Star
Game in Hershey on January 31. Was named to the
AHL All-Rookie Team. Led the Phantoms in assists
with 44 and was second to Denis Hamel in points
with 49. The Northern Michigan University product
from Sweden made his NHL debut with the Flyers on
February 26 at Ottawa. He played in three NHL games
this year total with the last two coming on a different
call-up for games on March 17 and 19 at Atlanta
and Dallas.
Kevin Marshall: Was the Flyers second round pick
(#41 overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft out of
Lewiston, ME in the QMJHL. The 22 year old from
Boucherville, Quebec completed his second season
with the Phantoms playing in 78 out of the team's
80 games and scoring three goals and 11 assists
with 120 penalty minutes.
Ben Holmstrom: Was named Adirondack Phantoms MVP
for 2010-11 for his gritty play on all ends of the
ice. Led the Phantoms in games played with 79. Had
his "ironman" streak of playing in every
Phantoms ended on April 4, 2011 due to call-up the
Flyers. Scored 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points.
Colorado Springs, Colo. native played in two NHL
games this year making his NHL debut on March 3
vs. Toronto and then returning on April 5 for a
game at Ottawa which featured his first NHL fight.
The U-Mass Lowell product just celebrated his 24th
birthday in the team's last victory of the season;
a 2-1 triumph at Binghamton on Saturday, April 9.
Zac Rinaldo: Completed his first season of professional
hockey playing in 60 games scoring three goals and
six assists. The 20 year old from Hamilton, Ont.
finished second in the AHL in penalty minutes with
331. Was tied for the league lead in majors with
33. Had previously led the OHL in penalty minutes
in 2008-09 and 2009-10 playing for Mississauga,
London and Barrie. Flyers 6th round pick in 2008
NHL Entry Draft.
Michael Ryan: 30 year old from Boston, Mass. led
the Phantoms in goals with 25. Played five games
with Springfield scoring one goal before signing
with Phantoms and making Adirondack debut November
24. 83 NHL games with Carolina and Buffalo with
seven career goals. 107 career AHL goals. Starred
with Albany River Rats in 2008-09 scoring 25 goals
in only 40 games. Scored two hat tricks with Phantoms;
January 28 at Syracuse and April 6 vs. Albany in
the clinching victory for the Time Warner Cable
Cup in the team's final home game. Younger brother,
Billy Ryan, played 15 games with the Philadelphia
Phantoms in 2008-09.
Mike Testwuide: Led all Phantoms rookies with 18
goals. Scored 15 of those goals in the team's last
34 games (since January 28) after scoring only three
goals in his first 42 games. Recorded Adirondack's
first ever hat trick at the Glens Falls Civic Center
on April 1, 2011 in a 9-5 thrashing of the Albany
Devils. Vail, Colorado native out of Colorado College
where he scored 21 goals and 31 points in 36 games
in his senior season 2009-10. Older brother J.P.
Testwuide also played for the Phantoms.
Eric Wellwood: 21 year old rookie scored 16 goals
in 73 games with the Phantoms. Flyers 6th round
pick in 2009. Scored one assist in three NHL games
in his first call-up to Flyers in November. Made
NHL debut November 1 vs. Carolina. Won back to back
Memorial Cup championships with Windsor Spitfired
in 2009 and 2010. Scored 31 goals and 37 assists
in 65 games with Windsor in 2009-10. Younger brother
of San Jose Sharks forward Kyle Wellwood who has
played 373 career NHL games, mostly with Vancouver
and Toronto.
Phantoms Season Tickets for 2011-12 are on sale
now! Full season ticket holders get an Adirondack
Phantoms stadium blanket while supplies last and
also will be in the Phantoms mug club for $1 sodas
and coffees in Heritage Hall all season long. Call
518-480-3355 or log on at phantomshockey.com
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