Slaney Named Phantoms Captain

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Phantoms announced today that defenseman John Slaney will captain the defending Calder Cup Champion squad. Slaney becomes the seventh captain in franchise history.

This will be Slaney's sixth season with the Phantoms and 15th in the professional ranks. He began his career with the American Hockey League's (AHL) Baltimore Skipjacks in 1991-92. He came to the Phantoms on Jan. 14, 2001 in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Since that time, he has laced up the skates in 281 regular season games for the Phantoms, compiling 68 goals and 210 points: 281(68/142/210). His 210 points are fifth all-time in the overall Phantoms scoring record books and 122 points better than any Philly AHL defenseman.

Slaney has participated in 497 total AHL regular season games, garnering an AHL career record for a defenseman, 149 goals. Thirty of those goals were scored during the 1999-2000 campaign, setting a single season record for most goals by a defenseman. The native of St. John's, Newfoundland has totaled 436 points, just 18 shy of becoming the AHL's all-time leading scorer among defensemen. In back-to-back seasons Slaney was selected as the AHL's best defenseman. He was presented with the Eddie Shore award for his contributions in 2000-01 and 2001-02.

Philadelphia Head Coach John Stevens, the first captain in Phantoms franchise history, confirmed Slaney's appointment saying, "John is a proven leader and he has been at the core of our team's leadership." He continued, "I feel very strongly about the character of our veterans. Collectively they will be the key to another successful season."

Slaney has dressed for 268 National Hockey League (NHL) games, including five with the Flyers, and 812 total as a professional. He was originally selected by the Washington Capitals in the first round, (9th overall), of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.