It's official: Youngstown is in the USHL

As was reported here a while back, the United States Hockey League has officially awarded an expansion franchise to Youngstown, Ohio. The franchise, owned by Bruce Zoldan, has been playing in the North American Hockey League as the Mahoning Valley Phantoms.

"The sole purpose of this announcement at this time is to confirm and put into place the procedures necessary for the USHL to conduct an expansion draft according to its rules and regulations," said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. "Out of respect for our partners in hockey at the North American Hockey League, and in order not to take away from attention to the Robertson Cup and Mr. Zoldan's Mahoning Valley Phantoms, we will defer any further details about expansion until the completion of the Robertson Cup and the NAHL season."

Both Youngstown and the USNTDP will be in the Eastern Division next season. The USHL will be a 14-team league.