On Saturday, October 10, 2026, the Phantoms made their second journey inside the City of Chicago for a Black vs. Yellow game at Blackhawks Ice Center and this time, USG Arena, Home of the Chicago Steel (USHL). Ryker Barber (Black team) and Trent Kik (Gray team) would pilot their teams to a battle that would see Team Gray rally to capture an 8-4 victory. Brett Straley and Brennan Burris, newcomers to the group, would be the referees for the contest. Following the Black vs.

Season 62 opened with a back-and-forth battle at Walker Ice & Fitness Center, and Chris Laux turned it into a memorable start for the West Michigan Phantoms. Laux struck first with 7:54 remaining in the opening period, scoring off a pass from Hunter Tuggle. Puck Norris answered when Norm Farr scored unassisted with 6:05 left. The Phantoms reclaimed the lead at 2–1 with 2:24 remaining, as Laux scored again, assisted by Tuggle and Adam Porczynski. But the first period had one m

Co-Captain Clay Potochny Returns After a Team-Best 25-Point Season GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Phantoms’ leading scorer is coming back, the leadership group remains strong and every major piece of the famous Line One is officially under contract! The West Michigan Phantoms have re-signed forward and co-captain Clay Potochny for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season. Potochny led the Phantoms with 25 points last season, scoring 12 goals and adding 13 assists while completing the campai

WALKER, Mich. — For more than a decade, the Busch Leaguers and Lakeside Locomotives stood among the most powerful and recognizable teams at Lakeshore Sports Centre. Their games were fast. Their battles were physical. Whenever the two clubs stepped onto the same sheet of ice, neither side needed an introduction. Now, familiar faces from that longtime rivalry are trading competition for chemistry. Former Busch Leaguers Riley Clark and Trevor Jensen are joining Zombies Hockey, w

Phantoms Re-Sign 171-Point Forward Hunter Tuggle for Fall/Winter 2026–27 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Line One has regained another major piece, the leadership group remains intact and the hunt for another successful Phantoms season continues! The West Michigan Phantoms have officially re-signed forward and co-captain Hunter Tuggle for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 campaign. Tuggle delivered another productive performance last season, recording seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points wit

Former Lakeside Locomotive Returns Following a 12-Goal, 20-Point Season GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The engine is roaring, the scoring line is loaded and the Line One Express has been cleared for another trip through West Michigan hockey! The West Michigan Phantoms have officially re-signed forward Trevor Zenas for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season. Zenas delivered one of the strongest offensive performances of his Phantoms career last season, scoring 12 goals and adding eight assists

Former Merrimack Warrior Returns After a Steady, Penalty-Free Inaugural Season GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — She can defend the blue line, move into the middle and contribute to the attack—and after an impressive first season in West Michigan, Natalie Nemes is coming back for more! The West Michigan Phantoms have officially re-signed two-way player Natalie Nemes for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season. Nemes recorded three assists and three points during her inaugural Phantoms campaign wh

Franchise Assists and Penalty-Minutes Leader Returns for Season 62 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The captain is coming back, another direct connection to the Phantoms’ past remains intact and one of the most accomplished players in team history is ready for another season. The West Michigan Phantoms have officially re-signed longtime captain Trent Kik for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 campaign. Kik completed last season without recording a goal, assist, point or penalty minute, leaving his

Team Architect and Goaltender Kevin Wootton Returns to the Crease for Season 62 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The signal is green, the track is clear and the longest-running train in West Michigan Phantoms Hockey is preparing to roll through another season! The West Michigan Phantoms have officially re-signed goaltender Kevin “Woot” Wootton for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 campaign. The announcement means Wootton will continue a journey that began with the Phantoms in the fall of 2002. He

Repaired, Recharged and Ready—No. 91 Resumes His 325-Point Career GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The surgery is behind him, the recovery road has been traveled and one of the Phantoms’ most accomplished veterans is ready to pull the sweater back over his shoulders! The West Michigan Phantoms have officially signed forward Andrew Erickson for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season. Erickson suffered an upper-body injury shortly before the beginning of the Summer 2026 campaign. The injury requi

Meticulous Quality Engineer and 118-Point Defenseman Returns for Season 62 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The measurements have been checked, the specifications have been reviewed and the final inspection is complete. Dan Datema’s return has officially passed quality control! The West Michigan Phantoms have signed veteran defenseman Dan Datema for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season. After taking last season away from the ice, Datema returns rested, refreshed and ready to resume a Phantoms

No. 7 Returns After a Career-Best Playmaking Season—and the Tea Is Already on Ice GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Crack open another season, put the tea on ice and prepare for another refreshing helping of No. 7! The West Michigan Phantoms have officially re-signed forward Jason Young for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 campaign. Young enjoyed an outstanding season as a playmaker, collecting three goals and 11 assists for 14 points while staying out of the penalty box completely. That performa

Gong Show Legend and 327-Point Veteran Returns for Season 62 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — From the Grandville Bulldogs to Gong Show Hockey and all the way into the upper reaches of the Phantoms’ record book, Nate Skoboda’s hockey journey is not finished yet! The West Michigan Phantoms have officially re-signed veteran forward Nate Skoboda for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season. Skoboda recorded one assist during limited action last season while finishing with zero penalty minutes. That

No. 4 Brings Steady Defense and a Perfectly Clean Career Record Back for Season 62 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The countdown is complete, the launch pad is ready and one of Muskegon’s former Rockets is returning to the West Michigan blue line! The West Michigan Phantoms have officially re-signed defenseman Sam Schaab for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season. Schaab scored one goal last season while once again avoiding the penalty box entirely. The goal increased his Phantoms career total

No. 26 Returns to Deliver More Goals, Close Shaves and Clean Work Around the Net GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The pole is spinning, the blades are sharp and the West Michigan Phantoms’ Barber Shop is officially open for another season! The Phantoms have re-signed veteran forward Ryker Barber for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 campaign. Barber continued cutting through opposing defenses last season, recording seven goals and five assists for 12 points. He accomplished it all without collect

No. 9 Returns with 125 Career Points—and West Michigan’s Most Reliable Polish Coverage GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Break out the red and white, raise the Polish flag and prepare the pierogi—the West Michigan Phantoms have officially renewed their Polish Power policy! Veteran forward Adam Porczynski has re-signed with the Phantoms for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season. Porczynski contributed one goal and two assists for three points last season while completing the campaign with zero p

Original Phantom and No. 5 Forward Returns for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 Campaign GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — He was there when the story began. He has played through every era, skated in every Phantoms home rink and watched a team become a West Michigan hockey institution. Now, one of the originals is officially coming back for another chapter! The West Michigan Phantoms have re-signed veteran forward Matt Zehr for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season. Zehr recorded one assist during limi

Two-Way Standout Chris Laux Returns as the Most Productive Player in Franchise History GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Five hundred career points. Only one player in West Michigan Phantoms history has ever reached that towering total—and he is coming back for more! The West Michigan Phantoms have officially re-signed two-way standout Chris Laux for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season. Wearing his familiar No. 15, Laux returns as the first and only member of the Phantoms’ exclusive 500-point

No. 17 Returns Healthy, Hungry and Only 11 Points Away from 100 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — He can play forward. He can patrol the blue line. He can bring energy to the locker room—and nobody delivers a more recognizable “Dude!” anywhere in West Michigan hockey. The West Michigan Phantoms have officially re-signed two-way veteran Shawn DeBoer for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season! DeBoer’s playing time was limited by injury last season, but the longtime Phantom still found the back of

Veteran Forward Brad Zehr Returns with 325 Career Points and More History Still to Write GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A familiar number is returning to the lineup, a proven veteran is coming back to the locker room, and another major piece of Phantoms history is officially in place! The West Michigan Phantoms have signed veteran forward Brad Zehr for the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season. Zehr, who will once again wear his familiar No. 21, returns with one of the most accomplished offensiv