Former NHL All-Star Assigned to Chiefs
October 16, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release
Johnstown, PA- Johnstown Chiefs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Toby O'Brien announced today that the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes have assigned former NHL all-star goaltender Arturs Irbe to the team. Irbe will be available for the Chiefs opening game Friday night, when they visit the Toledo Storm. He is expected to be the starting goaltender for the Chiefs home opener Saturday night vs. Long Beach.
Irbe, 36, has spent the last five seasons with the Hurricanes including 34 games with them in 2002-03. He led Carolina to the 2002 Stanley Cup finals where they lost in five games to the Detroit Red Wings. He has played in the 1994 and 1999 NHL all-star games along with representing his native Latvia in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
In 2000-01, Irbe led all NHL goaltenders in games played (77), which tied second-most in league history with Martin Brodeur (1995-96), and was tied for third overall in the NHL with 37 wins. Irbe has also seen NHL action with San Jose, Dallas, and Vancouver. In 558 career NHL games, Irbe has a 213-234-78 record, with a 2.82 goals against average. Irbe began his professional career in 1988 with Riga of the Soviet National League where he won the leagues rookie of the year award. He was the Minnesota North Stars 10th round pick (196th overall) in the 1989 NHL entry draft.
The Johnstown Chiefs kick off the 2003-2004 home schedule on Saturday when they host the Long Beach (C.A.) Ice Dogs at 7:00 p.m. Ticket for the home opener are available at the War Memorial Box Office or 1-800-CHF-TIXX. The first 1,500 fans will receive a Chiefs magnetic schedule courtesy of C.T.C. Former Johnstown Jet great Galen Head will have his #8 retired prior to the game.
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