Meet the team behind the Youngstown Phantoms. From the General Managersto the Training Coach, each component of the coaching staff and hockey operations team for the Youngstown Phantoms is crucial to maintaining this team atpeak performance duringeach game.
Learn about each person and their position within the team of the Youngstown Phantoms.
KEITH PRIMEAU- PRESIDENT OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS
Mr. Primeau serves as President of Hockey Operations for the Phantoms, overseeing scouting, coaching, and strategy.
Keith is a former NHL player who spent 15 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Philadelphia Flyers. Drafted 3rd overall in 1990, Keith played in two NHL All-Star games and finished his career as captain of the Philadelphia Flyers. Mr. Primeau is also the Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Black Bears' NAHL affiliate, the Maryland Black Bears.
JASON DESKINS- CO-GENERAL MANAGER/VP OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS
Jason Deskinsreturns withthe Youngstown Phantoms as Co-General Manager and Vice President of Hockey Operations.
Jason Deskinsspent previous seasons withthe Omaha Lancers of the USHL as their Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting. His responsibilities in Omaha included oversight of all scouting and evaluating efforts as well as running the teams' drafts.
Jason grew up in Warren, MI, and played much of his youth and junior hockey in the state. A former Miami Redhawk and All-CCHA member, Jason was a four-year letter-winner, three-year Captain, and was elected Miami's offensive player of the year in 1998-1999 and 2000-2001. Jason played four years of professional hockey and concluded his playing career in 2006.
After retiring, Jason decided to pursue a career in hockey as a coach, scout, and executive. He was a regional scout for the Port Huron Fighting Falcons (NAHL) and the Sarnia Sting (OHL), the Assistant GM and Head Scout for the Maryland Black Bears (NAHL), and the Assistant GM and Director of Scouting for the Omaha Lancers (USHL). He has coached at various levels of youth hockey in Michigan and is currently the head coach for the Little Caesars Midget Minor program in Detroit.
Jason resides in Michigan with his wife, Christine, and sons, Andrew and Jacob. To contact, please email Jasonat jdeskins@youngstownphantoms.com
RYAN KOSECKI- CO-GENERAL MANAGER/VP OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS
Ryan Koseckireturns tothe Youngstown Phantomsas Co-General Manager and Vice President of Hockey Operations.
Koseckiis also the Assistant General Manager with the Maryland Black Bears, the Head Coach for the Fox Motors '05 U16 AAA team, and the on-ice Hockey Director for TPH Grand Rapids. Prior to joining Black Bear Sports group, Ryan spent two seasons (2018-2020) as an assistant coach with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL, where they won the regular season Eastern Conference Championship in his first season.
He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife Megan, daughter Cooper (11), and son Harrison (9).
To contact, please email Ryanat rkosecki@youngstownphantoms.com
JEFF COX - ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
Jeff Cox returns to the Youngstown Phantoms as the Assistant General Manager. The Lynnfield, Massachusetts, native came to Youngstown after serving as Assistant GM and Director of Player Personnel from June 2018 through November 2021.
In addition to his responsibilities with the Phantoms, Cox serves as the Program Director for the Neponset Valley River Rats. He oversees the scouting, recruiting, and rosters for the organization's four Tier 1 national-bound teams. He is the head coach of the River Rats 16-U team.
Cox has coached in various summer tournaments and showcases over the past four years with Boston Hockey Club, TPH, and in the Foxboro Summer Prep League.
Cox is also employed by the New England Hockey Journal where he can be seen on print, web, and television covering amateur hockey throughout that region. He has worked in hockey media since 2012.
ROBBIE MURDEN- ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
Robbie Murden joined theYoungstown Phantoms in the 2022-2023 season as Assistant General Manager & Assistant General Manager of Junior Hockey for Black Bear Sports Group.
Prior to joining Youngstown, Robbie Murden worked with the Tri-City Storm USHL organization in scouting, drafting, and playerpersonnel capacities. He currently serves as the Hockey Directorfor Team Maryland AAA organization and has previously served as a Midget coach and Director of Player Personnel with Windy City Storm, BK Selects & South Kent Selects Academy AAA programs.
Robbie was born and raised in Georgetown, Ontario, and played his youth and junior hockey in Ontario. After a 4 year junior career, Robbie played NCAA hockey at Hamilton College where he helped lead his team to the programs first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and win in their 100+ year history while earning his BA in Economics. Since graduating in 2017, Robbie has worked full-time in the hockey industry.
Robbie currently resides in Maryland with his wife Liza.
TIM PARKOS - ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER/DIRECTOR OF SCOUTING
Tim Parkos is joining the Phantoms for another season as the Assistant General Manager and the Director of Scouting
Tim Parkos (Apple Valley, MN) has been involved in hockey over the past 20 years in Minnesota at multiple levels and facets that include youth hockey up through high school. Tim is entering his 6th season as the Head Coach at Totino-Grace High School whichcompetes in the top division in Minnesota. Tim also has been the owner of Elite 1 Training for the past 12 years which specializes in small group strength &conditioning training for hockey players. Tim also serves as the Co-Owner of Team Minnesota AAA Hockey Club.
RYAN WARD - HEAD COACH
Ryan Ward was introduced as the sixth head coach in team history on May 17, 2022.
Ward spent the last two seasons as the Director of Player Personnel for the USHL's Tri-City Storm, working with former Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen.
A native of Assonet, Massachusetts, Ward also spent time with the Soo Greyhounds (OHL), San Antonio Rampage (AHL), Toronto Marlies (AHL), Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Islanders.
Ward currently resides in Canfeildwith his wife, Jessica, and their three children.
ANDY CONTOIS - ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH
Andy Contois joined the Youngstown Phantoms during the 2021-2022 season as ourAssociate Head Coach.
Andy has spent two previous seasons with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL. As a part of the Fuel, the team qualified for the playoffs in both seasons and led the league in having its players called up to the AHL. Prior to his time in Indy, Andy spent two seasons with the Central Illinois Flying Aces of the USHL. While working for the Flying Aces Andy coached 7 players who were taken in the NHL Draft and had an additional 45 players move on to play major Division I hockey. Before his coaching career, Andy had a 10-year professional playing career, spending 3 seasons in North America in the AHL and ECHL and 7 seasons in Europe. Andy played college hockey at Northern Michigan University of the CCHA, graduating with a degree in Finance, and is a native of Marquette, MI. He currently resides in Columbiana with his wifeTaylor and his dog Sonny.
BRANDON GOTKIN - ASSISTANT COACH
Brandon Gotkinjoined the Youngstown Phantoms during the 2021 - 2022 season as their Assistant Coach. Brandon came to the Phantoms from the Maryland Black Bears of the NAHL, who are an affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group.Brandon spent three seasons with the Black Bears under the mentorship of Head Coach and GM, Clint Mylymok.
In his time in Maryland, the team made considerable strides leading up to their first NAHL Eastern Conference playoff appearance and first-round win vs the Johnstown Tomahawks. Brandon has been with Maryland since their inception and was an integral piece of their team's success on and off the ice.
BRANDON DENNIS - DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS
Brandon Dennis joined the Youngstown Phantoms during the 2022-23 season. He spent the previous three years as Business Development Manager at USA Hockey and a scout with the Chicago Steel of the USHL.
KARL LINDEN - PLAYER DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Karl Linden is joining the Phantoms for the 2023-2024 season as our player development director, of "Konquer Hockey".He spent previous seasons with the South Kent Selects and the Windy City Storm youth programs.
Karl works with our players individually, and in small groups that are specific to their position, which will compartmentalize and specialize in each player's personal development.
OKTAY ARMAGAN - SKILLS COACH
Oktay Armagan is a native of Queens, New York. Hegrew up playing roller hockey and started playing ice hockey as a first-year Midget. Heended his playing career by playing4 years ACHA D1 and D2 as asenior year captain atRider University. He has a wife, Karen, and a family of 5 kids;Michael 19, Christian 17, Sarah 13, Everett 6, Phenix 3. He currently lives in Middletown.This year is Oktay's second year with the team. He has a previous 20+ years of training NHL, NCAA, USHL, NAHL- youth hockey players?. Was a part of the2005 ECHL, KellyCup Champion team of theTrenton Titans, the2013 ECHL North DivisionChampions, Reading Royals, and the 2018 National Champion Little Caesars'. He has spent four years as a video scout for Bill Armstrong of the St. LouisBlues. Fouryears as theGame Situational Coach and one year as the AssistantCoach for the NAHL'sJamestown Rebels.
STEVEN SMITH - EQUIPMENT MANAGER
Steven is joining the Phantoms for his second yearin the USHL. A native of Mission, TX, Steven has spent time in the NAHL, NCAA DIII, CHL, and ECHL. Prior to becoming an equipment manager, he played collegiate club hockey and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Government.
Steven resides in Austintown, OH with his wife Shannon and their two dogs Luna Mae and Chase.
AMBER MARTINELLI - ATHLETIC TRAINER
Amber Martinelli is joining the Phantoms for her secondseason as our athletic trainer. She is provided through a partnership with UPMC Sports Medicine. Prior to the Phantoms, Amber spent time as the athletic trainer with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite AAA hockey organization.
Amber attended Capital University where she received her bachelor's degree in Athletic Training. She received her master's degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh. Amber is a licensed athletic trainer in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
TOMMY MALLOY - HEAD STRENGTH AND CONDITIONINGCOACH
Tommy Malloy is going into his second season with thePhantoms as the head strengthand conditioningcoach. He is provided through a partnershipwithNortheast Sports and Rehabilitation Training. Tommy attended the University of Louisville and received his bachelor'sdegree in exercise science. He received his master's in exercisephysiology with a focus onstrength and conditioning from the University of Louisville. He is a certified strength and conditioningspecialist.
