Phantoms re-sign Cote, Cook

The 2005 Calder Cup champion Philadelphia Phantoms today announced that left wing Riley Cote and defenseman Charlie Cook have both been re-signed to one-year American Hockey League contracts. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed.

Cote, 23, signed with the Phantoms just hours before the club’s season opener on Oct. 16 and proceeded to compile a team-high 280 penalty minutes and 11 points (4g, 7a) in 61 games. He was named the Phantoms’ Most Coachable Player following the season, and also received the Unsung Hero Award from the team’s Phan Club.

Originally from Winnipeg, Man., Cote also helped the Memphis RiverKings capture the Central Hockey League championship as a rookie in 2002-03. In 2003-04, he split the year between the Dayton Bombers (ECHL) and Syracuse Crunch.

Cook, 22, signed an amateur tryout contract with the Phantoms on April 5 and made his professional debut 12 days later during the team’s regular-season finale against Norfolk. The 6-0, 195-pound native of Port Huron, Mich., also appeared in three games (4 PIM) during the East Division Finals, helping Philadelphia defeat Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in five games.

As a senior in 2004-05 at Cornell University, Cook was named First Team All-Ivy League and Second Team All-ECAC after compiling career highs in points (22), goals (9), power-play goals (6) and game-winning goals (3). During his four years at Cornell, he recorded 70 points (16G, 54A) and 68 PIM in 129 career games.

“Over the course of the year, Riley continued to impress everyone in the organization with his work ethic,” said assistant general manager Paul Holmgren. “He improved as a hockey player and was a real asset to the team. Charlie Cook is a solid two-way defenseman and we look forward to him becoming a good player for us.”