Forward Signings Add Experience, Explosiveness

Published on September 28, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs announced today that they have re-signed versatile forward Mike Bartlett, and that they have signed high-scoring rookie forward Ted Cook for the 2009-10 season.

"Mike is an honest player who brings skill and speed to our team. He has AHL experience that will aid him in excelling at the ECHL level as a player and a leader in the locker room," said Chiefs head coach Jeff Flanagan.

Bartlett, who is attending training camp with the Lake Erie Monsters, returns to Johnstown for his second season in the black and gold, and third as a pro. The forward showed that he was highly adaptable and dependable during his first season in the ECHL last year. Over the course of his 52-game season Bartlett skated as a center, a winger, and even filled in on defense for a handful of games. No matter where he played he put up points consistently and finished the season seventh on the team in points with 30 (11G, 19A).

The 24-year-old had a historic score in the Chiefs' dramatic 6-5 overtime win against Elmira on December 28. His goal at 2:04 of the extra frame gave Johnstown its 20th win of the season and thus it was the first Chiefs team in club history to win 20 games before New Year's Eve. Bartlett's strong play in Johnstown led to a 17-game call up with the Monsters where he posted three points (2G, 1A). The Notre Dame alum played 51 games in the CHL as a rookie with Arizona and Austin and notched 49 points (19G, 30A).

A 25-year-old forward, Ted Cook comes to Johnstown after a banner career at Niagara University. He graduated after last season as the career leader in scoring for the Purple Eagles with 137 points (78G, 59A). Cook burst onto the scene as a freshman with 20 goals and 20 assists. That effort earned him Co-CHA Rookie of the Year, a spot on the CHA All-Rookie Team, the All-CHA Second Team, and the CHA All-Tournament Team. Not only did he lead the Eagles in goals, power play goals, and power play points during 2005-06 but he also set the team record for penalty minutes with 88.

"Ted comes to us after a stellar career at Niagara University. He is a skilled player who plays with an edge. We think that Ted will fit in well with the fast and tough game that is played here in the East Division," said Flanagan.

After his sensational freshman season, Cook put up even better numbers as a sophomore. He became the first CHA player to ever lead the country in goals with 32. His 48 points led the Eagles for the season and earned Cook a nod as one of the finalists for the 2007 Hobey Baker Award.

While his point total dipped a bit to 31 (19G, 12A) in the 2007-08 season, Cook and the Eagles enjoyed a ton of team success. After a 22-win regular season the Purple Eagles stormed through the CHA Playoffs and knocked off Bemidji State in the championship game to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Cook had a goal and an assist in the CHA Championship Game and was named MVP of the tournament.

The signing of Cook and Bartlett brings the Chiefs' roster to 20. They join forwards Jason Silverthorn, Jarrett Konkle, Sean Berkstresser, Brett Liscomb, Ryan Menei, Erik Felde, Matt Robinson, Torren Delforte, and Jozef Sladok. On the defensive end the Chiefs have Mike Knight, Greg Gallagher, Kyle Bushee, Bobby Phillips, Jim Jorgensen, David Schulz, and Brent Patry along with goalies Kris Mayotte and Jimmy Spratt under contract.

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