With eight years of on-air experience, Newkirk will deliver all of the Phantoms hockey action on a broadcast partner to be named later this month. Most recently with the Albany River Rats, he also was the on-air voice of the Albany Firebirds of AF2 and the Elmira Jackals of the UHL.

"It is an honor to be joining the Adirondack Phantoms organization and to become a part of the great traditions and history of this hockey-rich community” said Newkirk, a Haverford College grad. “I want to thank Rob and Jim Brooks for giving me this opportunity and I am truly excited to help usher in the return of AHL hockey to Glens Falls this season."

Opening Night 2009 is Saturday, October 3rd. Opponents and start times will be announced when the complete 2009-10 American Hockey League schedule is released later this summer. In operation since 1936, the AHL will again serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams when its 74th season gets underway on Friday, October 2nd.