Chiefs Unite With Stanley Cup Champs

Published on August 12, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA- The Johnstown Chiefs announced today that they have secured an affiliation with the 2004 Stanley Cup Champions Tampa Bay Lightning. The Chiefs will serve as the Lightning's secondary minor league affiliate. The American Hockey League's Springfield (Mass.) Falcons are the primary affiliate of the Lightning.

Per the agreement, the Chiefs will serve as the exclusive ECHL affiliate of the Lightning during the 2004-05 season. Tampa Bay will send an unspecified number of players to Johnstown throughout the season. The Chiefs were an affiliate of the Lightning during the 2000-2001 season. The Pensacola Ice Pilots served as Tampa Bay's ECHL affiliate the last three seasons.

"We are very pleased to affiliate with such a storied and venerable franchise as the Johnstown Chiefs," said Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster. "During my AHL days in Hershey I had the opportunity to work with the Johnstown organization and I know what an excellent hockey program they run and what tremendous fan support they receive. Toby O'Brien has been a friend to many of us in the Lightning organization for quite some time now, and I have known and respected Rick Adams since my first days in pro hockey almost 15 years ago. From the standpoint of geography, quality of operation, fan support and player development we believe Johnstown will serve us well as we look to continue to develop championship teams at all levels throughout our organization."

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). The Chiefs are also affiliated with the San Jose Sharks and the AHL Cleveland Barons.

"We are very happy to return as an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. It is a great opportunity for the Chiefs to work with the defending Stanley Cup champions along with Jay Feaster (Lightning General Manager), John Tortorella (Lightning Head Coach) and the rest of the Tampa Bay coaching staff. The Lightning have one of the strongest minor league systems in the NHL and we are looking forward to assisting them in the development of their players," said Chiefs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Toby O'Brien.

The Lightning captured their first Stanley Cup in June when they defeated the Calgary Flames in a thrilling seven game series. Former Chiefs Equipment Manager Dana Heinze is Tampa Bay's Assistant Equipment Manager, and Lightning broadcaster Dave Mishkin was the Chiefs play by play broadcaster in the early 1990's.

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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