Transactions: LaBarbera Returned to Phantoms, Ouellette Returned to Reading

Phantoms Back in Action at PPL Center This Friday

January 28, 2016

Lehigh Valley, PA – The Philadelphia Flyers, parent club of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, have returned on loan goaltender Jason LaBarbera to Lehigh Valley. In a separate transaction, goaltender Martin Ouellette has been returned on loan to the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

JustSports PhotographyA 36-year-old netminder from Burnaby, British Columbia, LaBarbera was recalled on emergency conditions yesterday and served as Michal Neuvirth’s back up in Philadelphia’s 4-3 overtime win against the Washington Capitals last evening. LaBarbera has registered a 5-9-0 record in 15 games with Lehigh Valley this season to go along with a 2.80 goals-against average and .906 save percentage. A 16-year pro, he’s been particularly sharp of late having posted a 4-2 mark over his last seven games while compiling a 1.65 goals-against average coupled with a .947 save percentage.

A 24-year-old goaltender from Saint-Hippolyte, Quebec, Ouellette is in the midst of his second professional campaign and has posted an 8-7-2 overall record in 18 appearances with the Royals to go along with a 2.00 goals-against average and .916 save percentage this season.

In 10 career games with Lehigh Valley, the 6’1″, 184-pound netminder has registered a 3-4 mark with a 3.50 goals-against average and .876 save percentage.

The Phantoms are back in action at PPL Center tomorrow, Friday, January 29, as Lehigh Valley welcomes the rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to town for a 7:05 p.m. clash. Tomorrow’s game is another “20 Years of Phantoms” Night with the third of four commemorative poster giveaways free to the first 3,000 fans in attendance. Be sure to secure your tickets now at pplcenter.com, by calling 610-347-TIXX [8499] or in-person at the Mealey’s Furniture Box Office at PPL Center [701 Hamilton Street].

RISE UP! Reserve your season tickets and groups now for the 2015-2016 season of Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey. For more information on how to reserve your seat at PPL Center to the hottest ticket in town, call the Phantoms front office today at 610-224-GOAL (4625)!

Upcoming Home Games:

Friday, January 29, 2016, WB/Scranton Penguins vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7:05 p.m. | TIX
(“20 Years of Phantoms” Night. Commemorative Poster Giveaway 3 of 4.)

Wednesday, February 10, 2016, Binghamton Senators vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7:05 p.m. | TIX
(Career Fair.)

In the midst of their 20th season of operation, the Phantoms are coming off their Inaugural Season as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms playing at the brand-new PPL Center. Established in 1996, the Phantoms spent their first 13 seasons at the Spectrum in Philadelphia before re-locating to Glens Falls, New York in 2009 where the team spent the next five seasons as the Adirondack Phantoms. A new era of Phantoms hockey began in the fall of 2014 when the Lehigh Valley Phantoms began play at the state-of-the-art PPL Center. Through 19 incredibly successful campaigns, the Phantoms have captured two Calder Cup Championships (1998, 2005), two Conference Championships (1998, 2005), two Regular Season Titles (1996-97, 1997-98) and four Division Championships (1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 2003-04).