Lehigh Valley recalls Yaniv Perets from Reading for goaltending depth

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms recalled 25-year-old goaltender Yaniv Perets from the Reading Royals of the ECHL on Jan. 7, a move that added depth to the Phantoms' netminding group as the team pursued a six-game point streak. Perets had already seen AHL action this season and offers a mix of recent success and pedigree that could influence Lehigh Valley's goaltending rotation.

Perets had one start for the Phantoms earlier in the season, stopping 26 shots in a 4-3 victory at Hartford on Nov. 1. With Reading this season he appeared in 13 games and posted a 7-4-1 record with a 3.74 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage. Those numbers follow a solid 2024-25 ECHL campaign with the Bloomington Bison, where he went 12-12-1 with a 2.59 GAA and a .921 save percentage in 27 games.

He has also split time at the AHL level and had a taste of the NHL. Perets appeared in four AHL games with the Chicago Wolves, going 1-2-1 with a 3.93 GAA and an .846 save percentage, and made a single NHL relief appearance with the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 30, 2024. A native of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, Perets starred at Quinnipiac University, earning two ECAC Goaltender of the Year honors and backing up his resume with an NCAA national championship in 2023 as a sophomore.

For the Phantoms, the recall provided immediate insurance and competition in net. At the time of the move, Lehigh Valley was looking to extend a six-game point streak with games scheduled against Springfield and Providence that weekend. Bringing Perets up from Reading allowed the coaching staff to manage workloads, cover for injuries or call-ups elsewhere, and keep internal competition healthy during a busy stretch.

Community implications are straightforward. Perets' return to the AHL put a familiar face into the Lehigh Valley mix for fans tracking goaltending prospects and fantasy pools. His college accolades and recent ECHL form make him a candidate to seize more AHL minutes if the opportunity arises, and his presence can stabilize the backend while the team chases points.

Our two cents? Watch Perets in the crease. He gives the Phantoms a capable, battle-tested option between the pipes and pushes the starter(s) to stay sharp; if he strings together a few steady outings, he quickly becomes more than just depth.