Chiefs Have A Milestone Season

Published on April 23, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA- The 2001-2002 season was one of the most memorable and record breaking years in Johnstown Chiefs franchise history. The Chiefs closed out the campaign last Thursday night, when they were swept by the Dayton Bombers in three games, in the Northwest division finals. They finished the regular season 39-31-2. One of the highlights of the 2001-2002 campaign was coming back from an 0-2 deficit in the Northwest divison finals against the Peoria Rivermen, and taking the series in five games. The Chiefs set team records for wins in a season (39), home wins in a season (23), most points in a season (80), and fewest goals allowed in a season (232). Many individual accomplishments also highlighted the 2001-02 season. Goaltender Frederic Deschenes tied the team record (Stan Reddick) for most wins in a season (25). Deschenes also posted the lowest Goals Against Average for a season in team history with a 2.93 GAA. Deschenes is the Chiefs all-time wins leader with 69, and career shutouts leader with 5. Forward Eric Schneider also had a career year. For the second straight season, the Drayton Valley, Alberta native lead the Chiefs in scoring, despite missing several games due to AHL call-ups to Cleveland, Rochester, and Saint John. This year Schneider had 38 goals and 40 assists (78 PTS) in 65 games. He is now ranked 7th on the Chiefs all-time goals scored list (71), and 10th on the all-time scoring list with 77 assists and 148 PTS, in 131 games in a Chiefs uniform. Lukas Smital continued his climb up the Chiefs career statistics ladder, when he was signed by the Chiefs on October 19, 2001. He had spent the last two seasons with Greensboro (ECHL), and Monroe (WPHL). Smital is now ranked 2nd on the Chiefs all-time games played list with 226. He is ranked 3rd on the goal scored list (89), 8th on the assists list (94), and 7th on the all-time points list (183). Jeff Sullivan and Jason Spence improved their position the Chiefs all-time penalty list this season. Sullivan posted 155 PIM in just 36 games. He spent the majority of the year with the Saint John Flames (AHL). His 638 PIM in 163 games in a Chiefs uniform, ranks 4th all-time, behind Brock Kelly, Perry Florio, and Rick Boyd. Spence lead the team with 181 PIM this season. Spence's 504 PIM in 138 games, puts him 8th on the Chiefs all-time PIM list.

Once again this season, the Chiefs continued to develop players for the next level. In all, eleven out of 29 players to wear a Chiefs uniform this season played in the American Hockey League. Players like Kevin Baker (Saint John), Ryan Shmyr (Rochester), and Jeff Sullivan (Saint John) had extended stays in the AHL. David Gove earned a call-up to Grand Rapids after he represented the Chiefs in the ECHL All-Star game in January. Phil Roy, Shaun Sutter and Blair Stayzer all began the season with Saint John. Schneider, Spence, Dan Carlson, and Dany Sabourin also saw time in Saint John this season. Season tickets are now on sale for the 2002-2003 season. Find out how you can receive the largest discount ever offered by the Chiefs on season tickets. For more information call (814) 539-1799 or 1-800-SLAPSHOT.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from April 23, 2002


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.

OurSports Central