Staff file photo / Brian Yauger. New Phantoms addition Landan Resendes (left) looks to hold off a defender in a recent game.

YOUNGSTOWN — When Landan Resendes was searching for a change of scenery, requesting a trade out of Cedar Rapids, the Youngstown Phantoms were after him quickly.

Resendes needed a fresh start, and the Phantoms were thrilled to bring in a player who gave them fits when going against him.

It just made sense.

“He’s someone for the last two years that, while he was on that team, was a thorn in our side,” Phantoms coach Ryan Ward said after a November victory over Cedar Rapids. “(He’s also) someone that we identified last year as someone we would like to acquire and get into the organization. Thankfully, we were able to do that this year. He’s a prototypical Phantom, and certainly brings it every night.”

Midseason trades are never easy, but things have been shaping up well for the Boston College commit.

“Some things weren’t working out over there, so we just had some conversations with the coaching staff in Cedar Rapids, and were looking for a new spot to play,” Resendes said. “I waited a couple days, I think it was a day and a half or so, and found out that I was heading to Youngstown. (Ward) gave me a call. It was quick, but a long turnaround mentally for sure, because you don’t know where you’re gonna end up. But I couldn’t be more happy to be in Youngstown.”

Through 12 games with the Phantoms, Resendes has been an important jolt to the offense, scoring 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists), as well as bringing that physical element that’s quickly endeared the forward to the fanbase.

“It’s been awesome,” Resendes said. “They welcomed me with open arms. That first call with (Ward) and (GM Jason Deskins), obviously, was just great to hear that. I mean, I play that sort of style where I like to piss off my opponents a little bit and kind of use that part of my game as well. Then, along with the speed and skill, so it was great to hear that (they wanted me). I think (Ward called me) a ‘thorn in the side.’ It was just great that they welcomed you with open arms, and they love the way I play. It felt awesome.”

Growing up in the Boston area, Resendes watched quite a bit of Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand.

Marchand, who’s infamous for his tough, physical play, is someone the Phantoms forward has modeled his game after. Like Resendes, the Bruins forward is someone you love to have on your team, but hate him if you’re playing against him.

“Obviously, growing up a Bruins fan, you look to guys like Brad Marchand,” Resendes said. “That’s the guy I’ve watched growing up and obviously going to games, that’s when you really see how he plays, especially sometimes in between the whistles. I try not to get involved as much as I used to between the whistles. He plays hard, and he’s looking to impact the game in different ways. I’ve also started to watch a little bit of Travis Konecny on the Flyers. He’s another guy that I like to play like. He uses speed, skill, likes to score goals, but he’s also not afraid to get into the fray.”

That hometown connection played into his collegiate decision as well, because when Boston College came calling, there was no other option.

Resendes got his love of the game from his father, a second-generation immigrant from Portugal. While Portugal doesn’t have much of a hockey tradition, the elder Resendes took to it from a young age and passed that love down to his son.

“My dad grew up loving it. Hockey really isn’t a popular sport in Portugal, but he loved the game, and he watched every Bruins game,” Resendes said. “He introduced me to the game at a young age, and I fell in love with it (just like he did), and I’m glad he (showed me).”

The addition of Resendes to the Phantoms roster has bolstered a lineup hellbent on competing for a Clark Cup, in a similar vein to Andon Cerbone during the 2022-23 season. The team is different but the goal is the same. While new to the roster, Resendes is locked in on helping bring the Clark Cup back to the Mahoning Valley.

“(What’s important is) everybody buying into the system and obviously just staying the same in the locker room,” Resendes said. “Everybody together, everybody hangs out, and all the guys are close. So I think it’s just keeping that room afloat, but also going to work on the ice and not getting away from our game, no matter what the instance. Whether we’re up 5-0 or down 5-0, just go to work and play our game. And I think if we do that consistently, we have a very good shot of winning that cup.”