The Youngstown Phantoms have acquired former Chicago Steel forward Danny Mattson in a trade that was completed last night. The Phantoms exchanged their sixth round pick with conditions to become a fourth round selection to acquire the Bemidji State University commit.

Mattson is a native of Minneapolis, MN and in 23 games with the Steel he has tallied five goals and seven assists for a total of 12 points. Mattson is in his second year in the USHL and his career has been split between the Omaha Lancers and Chicago.

“We traded for Danny because of his age and experience in the league,” said Phantom head coach Curtis Carr. “He is a twenty-year old in the league and we feel that since he is getting ready to go to college a playoff run will be the perfect thing to motivate him. He also gives us some veteran experience with his time spent in the USHL.”

Mattson brings experience to the Phantoms locker room but he also brings a knack for scoring to the Youngstown line-up. The Phantoms top line of Jiri Sekac, Cody Strang and Ty Loney has put up consistent numbers all season. For the Phantoms other forward lines, Mattson has the opportunity to come in and give the Phantoms scoring depth beyond that first line.

“He is a half a point a game producer,” said Carr. “With a lot of our close games he could be a guy that plays a role in any outcome. We do not expect him to come in as ‘the guy’ but he can help our top six by adding a little firepower.”

During his senior year of high school Mattson established a new career points record of 213 points at Holy Angels and during that season he produced 76 points (25g,51a) for the Stars. He was also a finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award, given to the top high school player in the state of Minnesota.

“We feel that we have not had someone step up on our second line and dominate the way we would like,” said Carr. “It is nothing against our players but Danny comes in proving he can put up consistent offensive numbers.”

Mattson will make his debut with the Phantoms this Saturday when he and his new teammates take on the visiting Dubuque Fighting Saints. Mattson is traveling from Chicago and the winter weather that hit that region has slowed the forwards move here to Youngstown.