Begley Filling Multiple Roles For Phantoms Prior to Team's Fifth Season in Lehigh Valley
Consider signing up for a subscription so we can continue to bring you exclusive first-reports, prospect features and stories from around the American Hockey League (AHL).
Quick. Easy. Support original journalism!
ALLENTOWN - Dennis Begley has been busier than usual getting ready for another season of Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey. The team's Vice President of Partnerships and Premium Seating has been manning the second net during AHL training camp practices both on Sunday and Tuesday at PPL Center.
Injuries in Philadelphia to Alex Lyon and Michal Neuvirth during the Flyers' NHL training camp, along with Carter Hart remaining in NHL camp for the time being has left head coach Scott Gordon with just one goalie under contract at camp in ECHL-journeyman Branden Komm who bounced around between four ECHL clubs last season.
Enter the infamous emergency backup goalie (EBUG), who oddly enough has a hidden talent listed in his bio on the team's website as simply "amazing Vezina-level goaltender".
"Our coaches are amazing," Begley said, adding "They do an incredibly high-energy practice and I'm not in that shape at all but I got lucky and was able to get through it. The guys are so good it's ridiculous."
Begley, who has been the EBUG for the Phantoms at camp practices on Sunday and Tuesday, was also quick to point out that assistant equipement manager Sean Mueller was the emergency backup during Monday's practice. It's been a EBUG by committee as the Phantoms prepare for a trio of preseason contests beginning Thursday night in Wilkes-Barre.
Begley isn't the unlucky guy that drew the short straw and was forced to stand in the crease. In fact, he's actually playing between the pipes most Tuesday mornings during the weekly Phantoms staff skate. It's become almost a running joke amongst the staff, Begley told Inside AHL Hockey, so that he writes a weekly recap of the scrimmage - focused solely on who tried to score on him and how he was able to make the save - and even records his own stats.
"Last year I had 111 wins and 52 losses, 20 shutouts, a 2.25 goals-against average," Begley said, as if he had them memorized.
The Phantoms' staff played against staff members from the Charlotte Checkers and Toronto Marlies during each respective playoff series, and according to Begley the Phantoms' staff won both games.
If nothing else, the practice against the pros might further help Begley's record and goalie stats with the staff skates this upcoming season.
"I'm not sure there will be any carry over, but we'll see."
