Pittsburgh Phantoms RHI
Encyclopedia
The Pittsburgh Phantoms were a professional roller hockey
team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, United States
that played in Roller Hockey International
. The team got its name from the "Steel Phantom" rollercoaster, located at Kennywood Park, a theme park located in the suburb of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
. At the time of the team's inception the Phantom was the tallest and fastest steel rollercoaster in the world. The logo was heavily inspired by the roller coaster's logo seen at the entrance to the ride.
, Howard Baldwin
. Baldwin purchased franchises in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
and Roller Hockey International
. The end result was the creation of the Pittsburgh Stingers
and the Pittsburgh Phantoms. Both teams would use the Pittsburgh Civic Arena
for home games and the most expensive ticket for adults for both new teams will cost $11, the least expensive was $9. Penguins tickets, by comparison, ranged from $30 to $47. The Phantoms were coached by the Penguins’ second all-time scorer at the time, Rick Kehoe
and another former Penguin, Warren Young
, who split time behind the bench and as a player. The Phantoms also hoped to gain credibility by using Bryan Trottier
, a six-time Stanley Cup
winner and a crucial member of the Penguins championship teams. The Phantoms also used former NHL’er Alain Lemieux
, the older brother of the Penguins' star forward Mario Lemieux
. The Phantoms also tapped into the local market and signed forward Jamie Adams, the only hockey player from local Shaler Area High School
to have his number retired, played as a left winger on the team. They also signed Marty McDonough and Andy White from Allderdice High School who played goalie and defense, respectively. Injuries, however, limited both of their roles.
and won, 10-5, at the Cumberland County Civic Center
in front of 2,467 fans. Trevor Buchanan scored the franchise’s first goal. Thirteen days later on June 18, the Phantoms would win a 10-9 shootout over the Atlanta Fire Ants before a crowd of 7,347 in their first game at the Civic Arena.
Goaltender Erin Whitten
, became the first woman to play in a professional hockey game for a Pittsburgh team. The game was also the first matchup of women proessional goaltenders. New Jersey Rockin Rollers
' goaltender Manon Rheaume
, who played a preseason game with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning
in 1992, made 24 saves to beat the Phantoms, 10-7, in their first franchise loss. A year earlier Whitten became the first female to win a professional game as Toledo Storm
beat Dayton, 6-5, on October 30, 1993.
On August 25, 1994 the Civic Arena roof opened to the theme song from 2001: A Space Odyssey
while the Phantoms played the Minnesota Arctic Blast
. It was the first time the stainless steel dome was opened for a professional hockey game.
in the first round of the playoffs before falling to the Minnesota in round two. Scott Burfoot scored the last Phantoms goal against the Arctic Blast. Solid efforts earned several players invitations to Penguins training camp at the end of that year. Unfortunately, none impressed enough to be offered contracts. During the 1994 season, the Phantoms ranked 15th in the 24 team league in attendance with an average of 3,587 fans per game, which was more than 700 per game below the league average. The team later folded a few months later.
patch on rear hem and the KOHO
patch on the front are fully embroidered patches. The jerseys did not have fightstraps and should have a hand-written number on the inside tag of the jersey. The captain and alternate captain deginations were worn on the upper left front of the jersey.
Roller hockey
Roller Hockey is a form of hockey played on a dry surface using skates with wheels. The term "Roller Hockey" is often used interchangeably to refer to two variant forms chiefly differentiated by the type of skate used. There is traditional "Roller Hockey," played with quad roller skates, and...
team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that played in Roller Hockey International
Roller Hockey International
Roller Hockey International was a professional inline hockey league that operated in North America from 1993 to 1999. It was the first major professional league for inline hockey....
. The team got its name from the "Steel Phantom" rollercoaster, located at Kennywood Park, a theme park located in the suburb of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
West Mifflin is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, located southeast of downtown Pittsburgh. The population was 20,313 at the 2010 census....
. At the time of the team's inception the Phantom was the tallest and fastest steel rollercoaster in the world. The logo was heavily inspired by the roller coaster's logo seen at the entrance to the ride.
History
The idea of the team came from the owner of the Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
, Howard Baldwin
Howard Baldwin
Howard Baldwin is an American entrepreneur and film producer. He is the CEO of Baldwin Entertainment, which has produced films such as the Academy Award-nominated Ray. Baldwin founded the New England Whalers ice hockey franchise in the WHA and has also owned part of the Minnesota North Stars and...
. Baldwin purchased franchises in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
and Roller Hockey International
Roller Hockey International
Roller Hockey International was a professional inline hockey league that operated in North America from 1993 to 1999. It was the first major professional league for inline hockey....
. The end result was the creation of the Pittsburgh Stingers
Pittsburgh Stingers
Pittsburgh Stingers were a professional indoor soccer team in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1994–1995. The two season that the Stingers played they avg. attendance was 3,091 per game....
and the Pittsburgh Phantoms. Both teams would use the Pittsburgh Civic Arena
Mellon Arena
Civic Arena is an indoor arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is currently undergoing demolition. It was the first retractable roof major sports venue in the world, covering 170,000 sq. feet and constructed with just shy of 3,000 tons of Pittsburgh steel...
for home games and the most expensive ticket for adults for both new teams will cost $11, the least expensive was $9. Penguins tickets, by comparison, ranged from $30 to $47. The Phantoms were coached by the Penguins’ second all-time scorer at the time, Rick Kehoe
Rick Kehoe
Rick Thomas Kehoe is a retired professional ice hockey player and coach, most notably for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League.- Playing career :...
and another former Penguin, Warren Young
Warren Young
Warren Howard Young is a retired Canadian Professional Hockey Left Winger who played seven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings....
, who split time behind the bench and as a player. The Phantoms also hoped to gain credibility by using Bryan Trottier
Bryan Trottier
Bryan John Trottier is a retired Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders, two with the Penguins and one as an assistant coach with the...
, a six-time Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
winner and a crucial member of the Penguins championship teams. The Phantoms also used former NHL’er Alain Lemieux
Alain Lemieux
Alain Lemieux is a retired ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques, and Pittsburgh Penguins.- Career :In 1986 he also played in Switzerland for EHC Olten...
, the older brother of the Penguins' star forward Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
. The Phantoms also tapped into the local market and signed forward Jamie Adams, the only hockey player from local Shaler Area High School
Shaler Area High School
Shaler Area High School serves ninth through twelfth graders in the Shaler Area School District as of September 13, 2008.-History:Shaler Area High School was established in 1971 from the court-ordered merger of Etna borough, Reserve Township, Millvale borough, and Shaler Township high schools...
to have his number retired, played as a left winger on the team. They also signed Marty McDonough and Andy White from Allderdice High School who played goalie and defense, respectively. Injuries, however, limited both of their roles.
Historic firsts
The Phantoms played their first game on June 5, 1994 against the New England StingersNew England Stingers
The New England Stingers were a professional roller hockey team based in Portland, Maine, United States that played in Roller Hockey International....
and won, 10-5, at the Cumberland County Civic Center
Cumberland County Civic Center
The Cumberland County Civic Center is a 6,733-seat multi-purpose arena, in Portland, Maine. Built in 1977, at a cost of $8 million, it is home to the Portland Pirates ice hockey team, various trade shows and the Maine Principals' Association high school basketball tournament...
in front of 2,467 fans. Trevor Buchanan scored the franchise’s first goal. Thirteen days later on June 18, the Phantoms would win a 10-9 shootout over the Atlanta Fire Ants before a crowd of 7,347 in their first game at the Civic Arena.
Goaltender Erin Whitten
Erin Whitten
Erin Whitten is a hockey goaltender who has played professionally with various men's teams. She has played with the Dallas Freeze of the CHL, the Toledo Storm of the ECHL, the Utica Blizzard, Muskegon Fury, and the Flint Generals of the Colonial Hockey League...
, became the first woman to play in a professional hockey game for a Pittsburgh team. The game was also the first matchup of women proessional goaltenders. New Jersey Rockin Rollers
New Jersey Rockin Rollers
The New Jersey Rockin Rollers were a professional roller hockey team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States that played in Roller Hockey International. In 1997 they were coached by legendary roller hockey guru Bob Antolos....
' goaltender Manon Rheaume
Manon Rhéaume
Manon Rhéaume is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender. An Olympic silver medalist, she achieved a number of historic firsts during her career, including becoming the first and only woman ever to play in a National Hockey League exhibition game.In 1992 Rhéaume signed a contract with the Tampa Bay...
, who played a preseason game with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
in 1992, made 24 saves to beat the Phantoms, 10-7, in their first franchise loss. A year earlier Whitten became the first female to win a professional game as Toledo Storm
Toledo Storm
The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,...
beat Dayton, 6-5, on October 30, 1993.
On August 25, 1994 the Civic Arena roof opened to the theme song from 2001: A Space Odyssey
2001: A Space Odyssey (film)
2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 epic science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick, and co-written by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, partially inspired by Clarke's short story The Sentinel...
while the Phantoms played the Minnesota Arctic Blast
Minnesota Arctic Blast
The Minnesota Arctic Blast were a professional roller hockey team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States that played in Roller Hockey International....
. It was the first time the stainless steel dome was opened for a professional hockey game.
End of the road
The team played 22 regular season games (finishing with a 13-9 record), managed a second place finish in their division and secured a spot in the post-season. The Phantoms knocked off the Chicago CheetahsChicago Cheetahs
The Chicago Cheetahs were a professional roller hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois, United States that played in Roller Hockey International. The Cheetahs joined the league in 1994. The Cheetahs were part-owned by basketball legend George Mikan...
in the first round of the playoffs before falling to the Minnesota in round two. Scott Burfoot scored the last Phantoms goal against the Arctic Blast. Solid efforts earned several players invitations to Penguins training camp at the end of that year. Unfortunately, none impressed enough to be offered contracts. During the 1994 season, the Phantoms ranked 15th in the 24 team league in attendance with an average of 3,587 fans per game, which was more than 700 per game below the league average. The team later folded a few months later.
Jerseys
The white style jersey was originally intended to be the road jersey with "PITTSBURGH" above the Phantoms's logo. However a last minute decision by equipment manager Steve Latin made the white version as the home jersey, therefore the purple jersey was made the road jersey. Each jersey consisted of mesh material and was made by CCM. The logos on the shoulders and the front of the jersey were dyed into the material. The jersey numbers and player's names consisted of heat-sealed vinyl material. The CCM Roller Hockey InternationalRoller Hockey International
Roller Hockey International was a professional inline hockey league that operated in North America from 1993 to 1999. It was the first major professional league for inline hockey....
patch on rear hem and the KOHO
Koho
Koho may mean:*Koho language, a member of the Bahnaric family*Kōhō, a Japanese era*Koho , a ice hockey equipment company*KOHO-FM, a radio station*KOHO-AM, a Japanese language radio station in Honolulu, Hawaii active from 1959-2000...
patch on the front are fully embroidered patches. The jerseys did not have fightstraps and should have a hand-written number on the inside tag of the jersey. The captain and alternate captain deginations were worn on the upper left front of the jersey.
1994 Phantoms Roster
- Jamie AdamsJamie AdamsJamie Adams is a Scottish professional association football player who currently plays for St. Johnstone.-Kilmarnock:Adams was a product of Kilmarnock's youth system, signing for the club in the summer of 2004....
- Martin Bergeron
- Trevor Buchanan
- Scott Burfoot
- Eric Brule
- Mike Cavanaugh
- Glenn ClarkGlenn ClarkGlenn Clark is the former head coach of the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League, and also a former NLL player. Clark played in the NLL from 1998-2006 for both the Rock and the Philadelphia Wings. With the Rock, Clark won five NLL Championships...
- A - Bruce Coles
- Brian CookBrian CookBrian Joshua Cook is an American professional basketball player. Cook was drafted out of the University of Illinois with the 24th pick of the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers...
- Kip Guenther
- Alain LemieuxAlain LemieuxAlain Lemieux is a retired ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques, and Pittsburgh Penguins.- Career :In 1986 he also played in Switzerland for EHC Olten...
- Marty McDonough (G)
- Kevin Meisner
- Alain Morrissette (G)
- Jim PetersJim PetersJim Peters is a New Zealand educator and politician. Born in Kawakawa, he is of Ngāti Wai and Clan McInnes descent.He went to school at Whananaki Primary and Wesley College in Auckland...
- Sylvain RodrigueSylvain RodrigueSylvain Rodrigue is a Canadian former ice hockey and roller hockey goaltender who is currently the goaltender coach for the HC Fribourg-Gottéron in Switzerland's National League A.-Roller hockey:...
- Bryan TrottierBryan TrottierBryan John Trottier is a retired Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders, two with the Penguins and one as an assistant coach with the...
- Jason SmithJason SmithJason Smith may refer to:*Jason Smith , Australian actor*Jason Smith , New Orleans Hornets power forward*Jason Smith , American football player for the St...
- Erin WhittenErin WhittenErin Whitten is a hockey goaltender who has played professionally with various men's teams. She has played with the Dallas Freeze of the CHL, the Toledo Storm of the ECHL, the Utica Blizzard, Muskegon Fury, and the Flint Generals of the Colonial Hockey League...
(G) - Andy WhiteAndy WhiteAndy White may refer to:* Andy White , Scottish studio drummer* Andy White , Irish singer/songwriter and poet...
- Jeff Whittle - C
- George Wilcox
- Brock Woods
- Warren YoungWarren YoungWarren Howard Young is a retired Canadian Professional Hockey Left Winger who played seven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings....