Post Info TOPIC: 10-7-14: Wootton Continues Working Hard to Keep Phantom Spirit Alive
Phantom Press Release

Date:
10-7-14: Wootton Continues Working Hard to Keep Phantom Spirit Alive
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The tradition and commitment of Phantom Hockey continues to shine bright across the now color-changing landscape of Western Michigan, well after 12 years since the team first began playing hockey. That tradition and commitment never wavered last season, after the team completed the summer 2014 season with a 0-10 record, however, none of that seems to be bothering the now surging Phantoms a season later.

Under the now 12-year leadership from netminder Kevin Wootton, the Phantoms made slight changes to their roster this season, but continue to press on with the same passion, pride and power that have been persistent with the club since it was founded back in 2002. That same passion and commitment that Wootton displayed then, is still alive now and in fact even more powerful. "It is humbling to know that a team that was created from a bunch of pick-up players at the then FunSpot in Muskegon back in 2002, has continued and grown into one of the best groups and longest running recreational hockey franchises in the state," said Wootton. "Our sweaters have not changed, our focus on having fun as a team has not changed and despite a slight bump in the road last season, our team continues to play competitive hockey against teams that feature very skilled talent and hockey knowledge," added Wootton.

For the Muskegon native, another thing that has not changed is the amount of work and behind-the-scenes efforts that Wootton continues to put into keeping the Phantom spirit alive. This season, a considerable amount of communication and planning went into the schedule making process, much more than past seasons with Walker Ice & Fitness as a result of several events that the Phantoms had to work around this Fall/Winter/Spring season. West Michigan Gong Show, an inline franchise out of Grand Rapids that includes several active Phantom ice hockey players, is involved in five separate tournaments running the span of the Phantom's Ice Hockey season that created the need to plan and compare schedules to ensure everyone involved received as much game-time as possible on both teams. Additionally, Wootton has been working with the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings since late summer to schedule two separate road-trips to the NHL cities for group events at the United Center and Joe Louis arena for the Phantoms. As if undertaking those two projects wasn't work enough, the Phantom netminder has also been working with the Grand Rapids Griffins to schedule two separate charity games involving the Phantoms at Van Andel Arena. The special events and road trips are of course in addition to the Phantom's regular season at Walker Ice & Fitness and Wootton's other two teams that play at Walker Ice & Fitness and Lakeshore Sports Center. "Anytime a person is put in charge of organizing an event it can be frustrating, having such a large number of events like I currently do make it even worse, however, the steady lines of communication and the great excitement that these events bring to each member of the Phantoms is rewarding enough to keep my drive going forward," Wootton said.

The Phantoms are currently in the team's 12th-Year or 38th-Season of hockey. Following the team's initial three games this season, the Phantom team has played in a total of 624 games since being founded back in 2002. Wootton continues to utter the same support and thank-you's to the players as he has done since the early days. "There is no way any team, whether recreational or professional, is able to remain intact this long without a solid cast and solid support staff," Wootton said. "There are players that come and go, but to see our new players enter this team with the understanding, commitment and pride as if they have been apart of it for years, not just shows how honored they are to play on this team, but also how positive our team is viewed from the outside by players and team we play against-- they may not like to play against us but they see just how organized and committed all of us are to this team," Wootton added. From the team leaders, to the offensemen, through the blue-liners and to the goaltender, the Phantoms have continued to display a great group of individuals and continue to have fun on the ice. "With the leadership from Captain Trent Kik and Assistant Captain Matt Myers, to the respect, commitment and honor each member who has worn the Phantom Sweater over the years has displayed, it is very easy for myself to continue the Phantom spirit and keep this great drive going," Wootton said.



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