First PHL event of the season draws high praise from scouts
The first North American Prospects Hockey League (PHL) event of the 2012-13 wrapped up on Sunday of this past week in Blaine, Minnesota, which was held in cooperation with the 10th annual NAHL Showcase.
The event quickly drew high praise from all the junior, NCAA and NHL coaches and scouts that attended. In total, 324 different scouts attended the five-day mega event, including 29 of the 30 NHL teams and all but two of the 59 NCAA Division I teams. Each PHL 18U team opened the season with five league games, while the 16U Division opened with four league games.
“I can’t remember a PHL event with so much buzz. There were a record number of scouts in attendance and they definitely took notice of the talent level on display in the PHL. I received numerous compliments from scouts about the overall competition and skill level of NAPHL teams,” said PHL director and commissioner Denny Scanlon. “I believe the new divisional format is a really nice addition to the league this year and if the competition at the NAHL Showcase in any indication, we are in for a very exciting 2012-13 PHL season.”
In the 18U Division, two teams remain undefeated atop their divisions, the Texas Tornado (Red Division) and the St. Louis Selects (White Division). Each team finished the NAHL Showcase with perfect 5-0-0 records. The West Michigan Hounds sit atop of the Blue Division with a 3-1-1 record. The Indiana Jr. Ice, Lansing Capitals and the Anaheim Jr. Ducks also flex their muscles at the event, all posting 4-1-0 record as they got the 2012-13 season off on the right foot. The Jr. Ice feature the top two PHL 18U scorers after the first event, which include 17-year-old forward Razmuz Waxin-Engback and 17-year-old forward Drew Doyon.
In the 16U Division, three teams sit at the top of their respective divisions with perfect 4-0-0 records. The California Titans breezed through their first four games, outscoring their opponents, 29-4. The Titans also feature the PHL’s leading scorer after the first event of the season in 16-year-old Ethan Somoza. The Omaha AAA Lancers picked up right where they left off from last season and showed they will be force in the PHL as they posted a 4-0-0 record and outscored their opponents, 27-3. In the Blue Division, it is the Pittsburgh Viper Stars who are off to a 4-0-0 start. Defending PHL Champs, the Indiana Jr. Ice are 3-1-0, as are the PHL Runner-Up from a season ago, the Texas Tornado. The San Jose Jr. Sharks, the PHL 16U regular season champion from a season ago, got off to a nice 3-0-1 start.
18U Standings & Statistics
16U Standings & Statistics
The PHL is comprised of six regular-season events leading up to its Championship Tournament Series in which the top teams at each level compete for a league championship. The next event will be held at Sharks Ice in San Jose, California from October 19-22. The PHL season concludes with its Top Prospects Tournament, which will be held in conjunction with the NAHL Robertson Cup Championship Tournament in May 2013. For more information on the PHL, visit www.naphl.com.
