
Chiefs And Sharks Renew Affiliation
July 14, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release
Johnstown, PA- San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson and Sharks Vice President and Assistant General Manager and Cleveland Barons General Manager Wayne Thomas announced today that the club has renewed their secondary affiliation with the Johnstown Chiefs. The Sharks primary affiliate is the AHL's Cleveland Barons.
"The Sharks are very excited to be back in Johnstown this season. Having our prospects play in a hockey town, on a playoff team, and under the care and coaching of Toby O'Brien was of great benefit to the players' development," said Thomas.
The Chiefs are coming off one of their most successful seasons on the ice in team history. They set franchise records in 2003-04 for most wins (45), points (97), home wins (26), road wins (19), fewest losses (20) and fewest goals allowed (195).
Last season, the Sharks assigned goaltending prospect Dimitri Patzold to the Chiefs where he was 7-0-0 in eight starts. Willie Levesque, San Jose's 4th round draft pick (111th overall) in 1999 played in 31 games for the Chiefs in 2003-04. In addition, Cleveland recalled several Chiefs during the season including leading goal scorer Steve Hildenbrand and Shawn Mather, each of whom played a part during the Barons Calder Cup playoff run.
"Last season, our affiliation with the Sharks and Barons went very well," said Chiefs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Toby O'Brien. "They got to give a couple of their prospects some quality playing time down here enabling them to develop. Plus, several of our guys got the chance to compete at the AHL level with Cleveland during training camp, the regular season and playoffs. We are very grateful to work with such quality organizations like the Sharks and Barons."
In the past, the Chiefs have had NHL affiliations with Boston, Calgary, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Tampa Bay.
Season ticket packages and flex plans are now available by calling the Chiefs office at (814) 539-1799 or 1-800-SLAPSHOT. Opening night is scheduled for Saturday, October 23rd when the Chiefs host the Wheeling Nailers at 7:00 p.m.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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