GLENS FALLS – Just a week ago Jon Sim was looking forward to the end of his contract with the San Antonio Rampage, but over the AHL all-star break early this week he signed a new contact with the Adirondack Phantoms.
Formerly the Philadelphia Phantoms, Sim last played with the team in 2004-05 when the Phantoms won the Calder Cup. He said the Rampage wanted him to stay, but in the end the Phantoms put the best offer on the table.
“They (San Antonio) released me and said they wouldn’t hold me back from any other contract offer I had,” he said. “They were trying to sign me the last couple of weeks, but I knew there was another team interested and these guys (Phantoms) made the best offer.”
Receiving the offer he did, he believes that was because he had played within the organization before. Sim said knowing his personality, how he plays and being familiar with him overall, likely helped make a deal happen.
“The last time I played for the Phantoms we won the Calder Cup and now one of the coaches is one of the players that was on that team and still have one of the same assistant coaches so there’s some familiarity there,” said Sim. “Our head coach is Terry Murray who has a ton of hockey experience, someone I’m looking forward to being around and Paul Holmgren, the GM here is great to work with as well. I can’t say enough about the Flyers organization.”
His first practice with the team was Thursday. He said he was on one of the top two lines and was part of their power-play lines during practice.
Sim played his first game with the Phantoms Friday night against Norfolk. Prior to Friday night, in 22 games this season with the Rampage, Sim had six goals and 13 points. He said it’s always difficult at first moving to a new team after adjusting to playing with a certain line and players, but he believes he will continue to have steady results.
“It’s always such a craze moving to a new team so quickly and it all being new,” he said. “I’ve done it a few times and you just need to find the chemistry with your new teammates. Sometimes it comes quick and sometimes it takes a couple of games.”
“Florida gave me a great opportunity to get back playing in December and it was a lot of fun to get back out playing and they treated me extremely well – it was almost a ‘we’re sad you’re going, but good luck’ parting.”
