Phantoms Promote Gotkin to Associate Head Coach
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Phantoms have promoted assistant coach Brandon Gotkin to associate head coach, filling the vacancy left by the departure of Andy Contois for a coaching position at Northern Michigan University.
Gotkin has spent the past three seasons with the Phantoms and was responsible for the forwards and the penalty kill. As part of the transition to associate head coach, he will continue developing the forward group but will also oversee the Phantoms power play and offensive schemes.
Gotkin, a native of Erie, Pa., has been coaching since his 2018 graduation from Mercyhurst University. Youngstown is his second coaching stop. He previously spent three seasons with the Maryland Black Bears of the NAHL, another member of the Black Bear Sports Group family.
Under Gotkin’s watch as assistant coach, the Phantoms penalty kill has consistently been near the top of the USHL, as well as leading the USHL in shorthanded goals. While overseeing the forwards, the Phantoms have consistently improved their offensive production as well, which was evident by a 39-goal improvement since his first season with the club in 2021-2022.
“Brandon has been with us for three years now and has been nothing short of fantastic,” Phantoms GM Jason Deskins says. “He has been part of a Clark Cup Championship here and has learned what it means to be a winner.”
“I’d like to thank Mr. [Murry] Gunty and Mr. [Bruce] Zoldan [team co-owners] for trusting me with this opportunity,” Gotkin says. “Youngstown is a very special place to me and my family, so having the opportunity to advance within the organization means the world to me. Lastly, I’d like to thank our executive and management staff and Coach [Ryan] Ward for all they have done to assist in my growth as a coach, mentor, and leader. We have an unbelievable thing going on in Youngstown and I am so excited to be a part of this organization.”
The Phantoms players report back to Youngstown for the first team practice Aug. 28.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
