Around the ECHL
FF Staff | Minor Leagues (ECHL, AHL, etc)
Aug 7, 04:03 PM | Hype this story!
Johnsown Chiefs news
Graeme Roustan, who has his offices in Johnstown, owns the Planet Ice rink where said offices are located, and is also CEO of Bauer, which he bought from Nike, Inc. for $200 million. It’s Smith’s hope that eventually, Roustan could buy the team.
“We’ve entered into an agreement with Roustan’s company to help manage the club, not the hockey on the ice, but the business side of things,” said Smith.
“There is the potential that they could end up buying it from me, which I’ve always said would be the best thing, if local owners had it. For now, we just want to see if we can make it go in Johnstown.”
Fans of the Chiefs may or may not be aware of the team’s financial woes (they averaged only 2,443 in attendance this past season), or the departure of one of the Chief’s minority owners. Smith, while dedicated to keeping the team in Johnstown, is based in New York. He was quoted earlier this year as saying he was disappointed in how little time he spent in Johnstown.
Kim’s take
I like the idea of Roustan stepping to manage the business side of the team. And I love the idea of him eventually buying the team, should that happen. The Cambria County War Memorial, the Chief’s home ice, is currently undergoing a $37,500 evaluation (at the expense of the taxpayers, of course) to determine how it could be better utlilized. It’s relief to me, as a fan of Chiefs’ hockey, that Smith doesn’t want to simply cut his losses and ditch the team. He’s actively working to find a way to keep them here, and has cited that he realizes how important hockey is to Johnstown. If that’s the case, then people need to start going to games. The arena has a 4,001 seat capacity. They barely got half the seats filled during the season.
The Chiefs have signed rookie Jereme Trendler to a contract. Trendler comes from the American International College, where he collected 49 goals, 87 points, and 170 penalty minutes in 126 games in his four-year stint. Sounds like a Chiefs’ player to me.
Ryan Del Monte has played three years of juniors and four years at the collegiate level, making a name for himself as a goal-scorer. Playing for Brock University, he was the first player in five years to reach 100 points.
Wheeling Nailers News
Nailers sign two returning players
The Wheeling Nailers have agreed to terms with forward Aaron Clarke and defensemen Mike Gooch. Both players arrived in Wheeling after playing for their respective colleges.
Cliff Loya has returned to the Nailers. The 27-year old played in three season in the ECHL with San Diego and Wheeling, before playing the past two seasons in Italy.
Other News
The floor has been poured! The Ontario Reign’s Citizen’s Business Bank Arena (gah, what a name, eh?) has a floor. The Reign begin playing this upcoming season, and are an ECHL affiliate of the Manchester Monarchs and the LA Kings.
Defensemen to be Assistant Coach
The Stockton Thunder, affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers have announced that Tim O’Connell has been named an assistant coach with the club. O’Connell played in the ECHL and AHL for eight years (2000-2008). This will be his first year behind the bench.
Comments
J.S.
Aug 8, 09:52 AM
How did I miss this news? I usually try to stay on top of things with the Chiefs. Good work!
Kim Conner
Aug 9, 07:18 PM
J.S., that’s what I’m here for. ;) And thanks!
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