Faceoff Factor

Johnstown Chiefs Make Coaching Change

Matt Bodenschatz | Minor Leagues (ECHL, AHL, etc)

Jun 20, 05:38 AM | Hype this story!

According to the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat the Johnstown Chiefs have named a new head coach to replace Frank Anzalone, who was relieved of his duties when the team broke off ties with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Ian Herbers, a former NHL defenseman, will become the ECHL team’s eight coach.

Herbers has spent the previous two seasons coaching the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League.

I think this is a smart move for the Chiefs, a team looking to forge their own identity, rather than serve as a minor league puppet.

The nice thing about having an NHL affiliate — especially one as well-run as the Lightning — is that a steady flow of talented, young players advance through the minor leagues. But that also can be a bad thing, as constant roster movement can hinder a team’s success.

By having a former Canadian juniors coach behind the bench, the Chiefs will have the opportunity to bring in their own undrafted players who have climbed the junior ranks.

“The Ontario Hockey League, I’ve been coaching there the past two seasons and I know all those players and what they can do,” Herbers said to Mike Mastovich of the Tribune-Democrat. “I played Canadian college and I still know quite a few coaches there. In the Western League, a lot of the coaches out there are ex-teammates of mine. I also know some of the general managers and coaches in the Quebec League. Major junior would be a big one (recruiting area).”

This can’t be viewed as a negative.

Sure, players won’t necessarily be on their way to the NHL as they would through assignment from an affiliate, but that could be a good thing.

Undrafted players have more to prove and a longer way to go to reach the NHL. In other words, chances are, the players brought in will be hard-workers dedicated to succeeding.

That’s an attribute Chiefs players didn’t always have in the past.

To read Mastovich’s coverage of Herbers’ hiring, visit the following links: Ian’s In and Chiefs Name New Coach.