It’s opening day for hockey, 2025. A new coach, a talented roster, lasers… What more could you possibly ask for? Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s game:
About The Preseason
The Phantoms went oh-for-the-preseason over 3 games. There are the usual caveats about not having the whole roster together and try-out players and such. But, there’s also the part about having a new coach. We won’t dwell on it, but it also doesn’t make me puff may chest out when thinking about the 47 games we have to play against Harrisburg and Scranton. Stay tuned.
Roster
Here’s the press release from the media department about the opening roster:
Allentown, PA – The Lehigh Valley Phantoms have officially announced their opening roster for the 2025-26 season to begin on Saturday night at PPL Center against the Belleville Senators. All teams submitted to their roster today.
The Phantoms have 27 players to begin the season including 17 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders. 16 of the players have previous experience for the Phantoms including 14 who were with Lehigh Valley for most or all of last season. Nine rookies are added to the mix along with some veteran arrivals.
Captain Garrett Wilson is the all-time games played leader in Lehigh Valley history with 287 games as he enters his sixth season with the Phantoms. Zayde Wisdom returns for a fifth season with the Phantoms while Cooper Marody is back for a fourth campaign.
Jacob Gaucher and Alexis Gendron tied for the team scoring lead with 20 goals each and both are back this season as is veteran right wing Anthony Richard who is one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the AHL over the last eight seasons. Sawyer Boulton, Oscar Eklind, Massimo Rizzo and 2024 AHL All-Star Samu Tuomaala are all ready to get going against as well. Center Tucker Robertson was acquired in September in a trade with the Seattle Kraken where he played for their AHL team in Coachella Valley.
Rookie prospects will draw a lot of attention and include forwards Denver Barkey from the London Knights of the OHL, Alex Bump from Western Michigan where he won an NCAA Championship, Big10 Champion Karsen Dorwart from Michigan State, and Devin Kaplan out of Boston University as well as Arizona State product Ty Murchison on the blueline and goaltender Carson Bjarnason of the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL.
Veteran pickups added to the team include center Lane Pederson with 311 career AHL games and 71 NHL games with Columbus, Vancouver and Arizona. And recent trade acquisition Carl Grundstrom who has 292 career NHL games with San Jose and Los Angeles.
Three key cogs on the blue line are back as well with Emil Andrae, Helge Grans and Hunter McDonald set to bolster a blueline that includes rookie Ty Murchison and recent trade arrival Artem Guryev along with newcomers Carter Berger, Emile Chouinard and Ben Meehan.
The goaltending tandem has returning backstop Aleksei Kolosov paired with rookie Carson Bjarnason.
2025-26 LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS ROSTER
3 Helge Grans – D
4 Ty Murchison – D
6 Emil Andrae – D
7 Ben Meehan – D
12 Devin Kaplan – F
13 Massimo Rizzo – F
14 Emile Chouinard – D
17 Garrett Wilson – F
19 Hunter McDonald – D
20 Cooper Marody – F
21 Alex Bump – F
22 Tucker Robertson – F
23 Karsen Dorwart – F
24 Carter Berger – D
25 Lane Pederson – F
27 Samu Tuomaala – F
35 Aleksei Kolosov – G
36 Sawyer Boulton – F
43 Oscar Eklind – F
52 Denver Barker – F
56 Jacob Gaucher – F
57 Artem Guryev – D
64 Carson Bjarnason – G
72 Alexis Gendron – F
74 Zayde Wisdom – F
90 Anthony Richard – F
91 Carl Grundstrom – F
Printable Roster: Oct11-Phantoms-Roster
Player Spotlight: #91 RW Carl Grundstrom
Born in Sweden 12/1997 he’s a lefty shooter who was originally drafted in the second round, 57th overall, by Toronto in 2016. He made his stateside debut in the AHL playoffs following the 2016-17 season, with the Toronto Marlies. In his first six AHL games, in the playoffs, he went 3/1/4. During the 2017-18 season he again played his regular season in Sweden, but came over for the AHL playoffs and helped the Marlies on their cup run that season going 8/6/14 in 20 games.
During the 2018-19 season he found his way to the LA Kings organization and made his NHL debut after splitting time with the Ontario Reign of the AHL. The 2020-21 season saw him split time with in the top Swedish league due to the pandemic. The next three season were spent with the NHL Kings before he ended up on the San Jose Sharks last season. It wasn’t a terribly successful campaign, over 56 games posting 3/6/9 with a -21 +/-.
He comes to the Flyers along with D Artem Guryev in the Ellis trade. The Flyers have said they expect Grundstrom to contribute to the NHL team this season, but he passed through waivers and will start here in Allentown.
Enter Belleville
The Belleville Senators are the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Sentors. A quick perusal of their roster reveals the presence of our past nemesis goalie Hunter Shepard. I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear from the nice folks in section 120. There are some other familiar names, but as far as former Phantoms we spy only #42 RW Hayden Hodgson on the roster.
GAME DAY!
Observing the graphic above, some special happenings to open the game tonight. meLVin usually has something special up his sleeve for the opener as well.
Parking: As far as we could tell during the preseason games the policies and prices remain about the same. Pre-purchase in the “orange” arena deck always seems like a good plan. Saving a couple bucks to park out at Community Deck or Maple Deck is also a good move if you don’t mind a short walk in the rain. In the orange deck you can back in to your spot for easy egress. The parking overlords of Allentown insist in head-in parking in the other facilities so that they can monitor your plate.
Tickets: Good seats are still available. With the price increases we’re observing, the secondary market can be a good option for as low as $22.
Promotion: Rally Towel giveaway!
Media Kit: Belleville opener
Media Kit also contains roster information–for both teams. Also, league info and standings and such. The format appear a little different this season, and as we get deeper into the season the information will be more robust.
Referees: Austin Rook (#26), Austin O’Rourke (#19)
Linesperson: John Rey (#16), Davids Rozitis (#62)
Cashless: Most stands and concessions are cashless. We were able to use cash at Burger Prime the other night.
What To Watch Tonight
- Watch for the app. We think we’re going to need to download an app and participate in this light show. It doesn’t seem like there’s going to be lasers. “Bring your own light show” should be the theme? We’re prepared to be underwhelmed. Also, how is one to take a social media image when our phones are being used as the entertainment? “Sus” as the kids say.
- Watch for the goalie. We’re thinking they give the veteran nod to Aleksei Kolosov. Also we don’t want him complaining to Russia that we’re mean and no one would talk to him and then he hates Allentown.
- Check the lines. It will be our first full look at how the lines shake out. We had a guess planned, but it’s really with little information to back it up, so we’ll wait for the official. If there’s someone scratched who probably shouldn’t be? It’s probably an injury and then the detective work begins.
- Watch for orange. The team has been leaning into the orange jerseys so far this young season–or perhaps we have to start with whites at home. Or, maybe there will be a surprise. At any rate, check the jerseys.
- Watch to see if you think the team is well-coached. Are they committing SHIT penalties? (Slashing, Hooking, Interference, Tripping)
- The new scoreboard and ribbon boards have debuted. How do they look to you? Is the team taking full advantage?
Up Next
Back at it with the Penguins affiliate tomorrow afternoon. Hockey Night will depend on how the football goes–and remember that there are different parking and restaurant things for a Sunday afternoon game. The team will spend next weekend in Cleveland, followed by a mid-week affair on Casey Plaza and a home and home with Hershey starting back here on 10/24–and then that’s it for October at home!
see you at the arena,
@Kram207