Here is an interview with John Stevens, Captain of the Phantoms. Hope you like it!Here is an interview with John Stevens, Captain of the Phantoms. Hope you like it!
Most points ever by a first- year team. Most wins as well. The longest home winning streak, ever, in the history of the AHL. The highest average attendance. In a nutshell, the 1996-1997 inaugural season of the Philadelphia Phantoms has been one of significant accomplishment and entertaining action. Unfortunately a stellar regular season is worth exactly zero when it comes to Calder Cup Playoff time.
One Phantom who definitely understands that players who rest on their regular season laurels are destined for an early reservation on the off-season golf circuit, is John Stevens. A veteran of 8 post season appearances. Stevens has scaled the summit to the Calder Cup twice in his career. As a fresh faced prospect in the Flyers Organization, he captured his first Calder Cup with the 87-88 Hershey Bears. Following a move to the Hartford Whalers franchise, the Cambellton, New Brunswick native added a second championship ring to his collection with the 90-91 Springfield Indians. "There's no question the winning the Calder Cup has been the highlight of my career. It's a great feeling to sit back in the off-season and know you are at your best level."
So what does it take ti be a Calder Cup Champion? Steven spits out three comments without hesitation: 1. Mental Perseverance 2. Commitment and 3. Discipline. "Some players have a tough time staying focused on the job at hand when the weather starts getting nice and your playing game #90 or #95 for the year." If You want to be the best, you've got to pay the price, but believe me, it's worth it.
As the Phantom's captain, Stevens realizes his duties, along with his teammates will be extended to the fullest. "I've always believed the best way to lead is by example. In the playoffs, I just come in and practice as hard as I can., play as hard as I can. The major point that I've tried to get across to the boys is that even though personal accomplishment are great, the best way for individual advancement or promotion is through overall success of the team. Basically if the team does well, then the players will do well, everybody loves a winner, and that's what were focused on."
The Calder Cup Playoffs vary from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in that instead of playing four best-of-seven series like the NHL, the AHL begins it's playoffs with a best-of-five divisional semi-final, than increases the last three rounds to the best-of-seven format. Therefore it takes 15 victories to sip champagne form the Calder Cup, with a possibility of playing 26 games to get there. What a long arduous trip that will be, especially as the favorite.
The playoffs are the
best time of the year; a time
when men are separated from
the boys. Head coach Barber
has hoisted the NHL's top
prize twice of the corner of
Broad and Pattison, and he
wants his players to live that
same experience. "Absolutely
nothing compares to playoff
hockey, especially in
Philadelphia; the fans just go
nuts. Winning a cup would be
something incredible for all
the guys and all our fans."
Stevens reiterates, "Our team
has been so fortunate to have
been embraced by the city in
our first year. Philadelphia
has shown that it is a great
hockey town and this would
be the perfect place for the
Calder Cup.
Volume 1 Issue 5
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Taken From Philadelphia Phantoms Magazine
