By Al Cohen
Philadelphia Phantoms Correspondent

The Phantoms will face a league-high 19 different teams during the 2004-05 season, including 52 of their 80 games against fellow East Division foes. Philadelphia will take on the rival Hershey Bears the most (12 games), followed by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Norfolk (10 games apiece), Bridgeport (8 games) and Albany and Binghamton (6 games apiece).

Two games are scheduled against each of the seven teams in the Atlantic Division, along with non-conference match-ups vs. Hamilton, Syracuse, Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, Milwaukee and Toronto. Teams not on the Phantoms schedule for the second year in a row include Cleveland, Manitoba, Rochester, St. John's, Chicago, Houston, San Antonio and Utah.

The entire 2004-05 schedule is expected to be announced later this month.

FLYERS SIGN FIRST-EVER PHILADELPHIA NATIVE
Forward Tony Voce became the first Philadelphia native to join the Flyers organization when he signed a contract on July 13. Originally from Northeast Philadelphia, Voce began his high school career at Archbishop Ryan before attending Lawrence (Mass.) Academy for three years. The 23-year-old moved on to Boston College University, where he compiled 167 points (90G, 77A) in 159 career games from 2000-04.

As a senior in 2003-04, the 5-8 Voce was named team MVP for the second time in his career after leading the Eagles in points (47), goals (29), power-play goals (12) and shots (178). He also ranked second in the nation in goals and received All-Hockey East First Team and AHCA First Team All-American honors.

Last summer, defenseman James Laux (Cherry Hill) became the first person from South Jersey to sign with the organization. Defenseman Mark Eaton, who played with the Phantoms from 1998-2000, was from Wilmington, Del.

MELOCHE ALSO SIGNS
Right wing Eric Meloche, who helped the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins reach the 2004 Calder Cup Finals, also signed with the Flyers on July 14. The 28-year-old appeared in 56 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season, totaling 42 points (16G, 26A) and 49 PIM. He also registered three goals and seven assists over 25 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

A seventh-round selection in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins, Meloche starred at Ohio State University from 1996-2000 before splitting the last four seasons between Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh.

DESCHENES & ABEL TO READ AT BELLMAWR LIBRARY
Forwards Nick Deschenes and B.J. Abel will be reading to children and answering questions this Thursday, July 15 at 3:00 p.m. at the Anthony P. Infanti Bellmawr Branch Library (35 E. Browning Road in Bellmawr, N.J.). Deschenes, the Phantoms' AHL Man of the Year last season for his outstanding contributions to the community and charitable organizations, and Abel were each rookies in 2003-04.

DAFFIN NAMED MARKETING DIRECTOR; BLOOM & HANSEN PROMOTED
Kristen Daffin was named the Phantoms' director of marketing on July 13. Originally from Crofton, Md., Daffin joins the Phantoms from the Bowie Baysox baseball team, where she served as assistant director of marketing. She earned a degree in sport management from Shepherd University in 2001, and worked in sales and community relations with the Baysox prior to moving into the marketing department.

The Phantoms also promoted Ned Bloom to assistant director of sales and Erik Hansen to senior account executive. Bloom joined the Phantoms in August 2002 as an account executive and was most recently the group & themed sales manager. Hansen was hired as an account executive in September 2002.

PHANTOMS RECEIVE OVER 350 COLORING CONTEST ENTRIES
The Phantoms are currently sorting through the 355 entries for the team's 2004-05 season ticket book coloring contest. Children 14 and under were asked to submit a drawing or painting of a Phantoms game, favorite player, mascot Phlex or any memorable Phantoms experience. Forty submissions will be chosen, with a different winner featured on season tickets for each of the Phantoms' 40 home games next year.

In addition to having their drawings or paintings printed in the season ticket books, each of the 40 winners and their families will receive tickets to the Phantoms game that his/her artwork is used. In addition, the winner's artwork will be displayed on the concourse that night, and the winner will have the opportunity to ride the Zamboni during an intermission at the game.

Winners will be notified within the next few weeks.

PHANTOMS ICE HOCKEY CAMPS APPROACHING
The 2004 Phantoms Ice Hockey Camps are fast approaching! The week-long camps are geared toward House and Travel hockey players, and provide a meaningful learning experience in a fun and positive atmosphere. Instructors include Phantoms players and coaches.

The dates of the camps are Aug. 2-6 at the Polonia Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Northeast Philadelphia, and Aug. 16-20 at the Sovereign Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J. Log on to www.phantomshockey.com to see a camp brochure.

2004-05 SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS NOW BEING ACCEPTED
The Phantoms are currently accepting season ticket and game plan deposits for the 2004-05 season. Log on to www.phantomshockey.com or call 215-465-4522 for more information.