Phantoms

Five seasons of Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey have come and gone in downtown Allentown. The 2018-19 team just missing the Calder Cup Playoff cut finishing with 39 wins and 85 points. Kristi Fulkerson looks back at the 45th anniversary season, recapping the ups and downs from opening night to their April 13th finale.

March 25, 2019, After four months of practice, the inaugural Phantoms Charities Sled Hockey Team concluded their 2018-19 season with a special practice at PPL Center. With the support of the community, local businesses, and Phantoms Charities supporters, athletes with mobility challenges were provided with all the tools necessary to enjoy the game of hockey. Members of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms were there to take part in the team's final ice session and look forward to more involvement in the future.

April 8, 2019, Phantoms forward, fan favorite, and honorary TV2 personality, Cole Bardreau, has some fun with four of the team’s rookies - Connor Bunnaman, Pascal Laberge, David Kase, and Carsen Twarynski — putting them to the test as part of the 2019 Phantoms Spelling Bee.

April 1, 2019, Following in the footsteps of his father and making his hockey dream a reality, Colin McDonald began his pro career with the Springfield Falcons in 2007. More than a decade later, the 34-year old returned to the same Massachusetts arena as captain of the 2019 AHL All-Star Classic, taking time to reflect on his decorated career. His passion for the game and dedication as a leader making the fourth-year Phantoms captain invaluable to the Flyers organization on and off the ice.

February 25,2019, It's been an eventful season for both the Flyers and Phantoms front office with head coaching changes, injuries, call-ups, and trades but one constant has been the overwhelming support for the team's youngest goaltender. Kristi Fulkerson caught up with Carter Hart to talk about his pro career start with the Phantoms and how he's handling life in the NHL.

March 4, 2019, Just before the start of a very busy month of March, three Phantoms players made time to help celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday with a visit to Alburtis Elementary School. Cole Bardreau, Alex Lyon, and Greg Carey spent an afternoon with students in grades K-5 hoping to emphasizing the importance of reading and working hard in school.

February 11, 2019, December 17th was a whirlwind day for former Phantoms head coach Scott Gordon when he learned he'd been promoted to Philadelphia, a challenge he didn't expect but tackled head on. Kristi Fulkerson has more on Gordon's approach to taking over a struggling team and how the Flyers have turned their season around.

February 4, 2019, The 2019 All-Star event continued Monday with an entirely 3-on-3 competition as the AHL's four division's competed in a round-robin tournament, eventually decided in a shootout. Kristi Fulkerson made the trip to Springfield, MA and has a recap of Day 2.

January 21, 2019, In late November, early December we sent a camera with Phantoms center Mike Vecchione as the team set off on a 3-game, 5-day road trip to Canada. The second-year pro documenting what it's like when the team leaves home, including long bus rides, pit stops, morning skates, and other hockey traditions. In this case, the team went 3-0 with wins over Laval, Belleville, and Toronto, plus Vecchione may have realized a new talent.

January 28, 2019, Representing Lehigh Valley at this year's AHL All-Star Classic, Greg Carey and Colin McDonald joined their Eastern Conference teammates to battle the Western Conference in the league's annual Skills Competition to open the annual event. Kristi Fulkerson made the trip to Springfield, MA and has a recap of Day 1.

December 17, 2018, Tis the season of giving and members of the Phantoms organization continued to find ways to give back to their community. Alex Lyon, Colin McDonald, and Greg Carey joined Kristi Fulkerson on a holiday shopping trip to Target, each adopting a child as part of Valley Youth House's holiday gift campaign, teaming up to check items off the kids' wish list. The trio later wrapped and delivered the gifts themselves.

January 7, 2019, With a wide range of experience and different paths to the pros, each Phantoms player has memorable game, goal, or accomplishment that stands out above the rest. As members of the team looked back on their careers and reminisced, Kristi Fulkerson pieced together this story to highlight their most memorable moments.

December 10, 2018, The Phantoms hosted their 5th Annual Teddy Bear Toss game on December 8th, collecting 7,148 stuffed animals for a new Lehigh Valley record. Fans sent the fur flying 4:06 into the first period when T.J. Brennan, Greg Carey, and rookie Connor Bunnaman combined to net the game's first goal. Then it was time to count, deliver, and donate the goods to Valley Youth House in Bethlehem.

The AHL All-Star Classic took place over the weekend and was hosted by the Springfield Thunderbirds. Two Lehigh Valley Phantoms Colin McDonald and Greg Carey made the trip up north to Massachusetts to participate in the All-Star Classic. Kristi Fulkerson also made the trip up north to give us a recap of all the All-Star weekend Festivities.

The Phantoms Organization makes it a point to help and give back to the Lehigh Valley Communities. The Phantoms Charities hosted their 4th Annual Building Hope For Kids Reveal on Thursday, which provided a home for a Family in Allentown.

November 19, 2018, Phantoms forward Cole Bardreau hosts the first annual edition of Phantoms Feud, pitting the USA vs. the World (Canada, in this case) in an entertaining spoof of the lovable game show. Are you ready to Feud?

November 24, 2018 Members of the Phantoms and PPL Center staffs teamed up to plan, prepare, and serve a delicious holiday meal to families of Valley Youth House.

October 29, 2018 2nd-year center Mike Vecchione is the third Phantom to take part in the Lehigh Valley's Real Men Wear Pink Campaign, raising money for Breast Cancer awareness and research. He tried his hand at bartending to help fundraise for the cause in what turned out to be an entertaining evening at 99 Bottles.

November 12, 2018 Over the course of a week, several Phantoms pros spent time at practices for their younger counterparts, supporting the growth of hockey in the area through the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Youth Organization. This is a look back at a practice featuring Anthony Stolarz, James DeHaas, Cole Bardreau, Mike Vecchione visiting the Mites squad practice session.

October 15, 2018 Phantoms players, coaches, staff, and community partners hit the links to support Phantoms Charities.

October 22, 2018 Phantoms players tell us about the highlight of their summers!

October 6, 2018 Just days before Opening Night, members of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms spread out across the area to hand-deliver season tickets to some lucky fans. Connor Bunnaman, Carter Hart, James DeHaas, and Phil Myers did the honors, each visiting 3-4 homes. Our cameras had a chance to follow the adventures of Hart and Myers.

April 3, 2017 A veteran AHL defenseman and life-long Flyers fan, T.J. Brennan signed with his favorite childhood team in the summer of 2016 joining the club's AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms. After growing up in New Jersey and playing seven seasons of professional hockey, his career had come nearly full circle with one step left to take. Kristi Fulkerson tells the story of T.J's dedicated hockey life and why making his way back to the Flyers organization is a dream come true.

March 19, 2018 After suffering a serious neck injury in college, Cole Bardreau beat the odds to return to the ice alongside his teammates. The Phantoms third-year center has continued to battle injuries in his professional career but perseveres with an attitude and energy fueled by his passion for the game. Kristi Fulkerson tells the comeback story.