Ian Herbers to Return as Head coach

Published on May 4, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets, and the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters and Syracuse Crunch, announced today that the team has reached a one-year contract extension with head coach Ian Herbers. The contract has an option for up to four additional years pending a long-term lease agreement with the Cambria County War Memorial. As per club policy, specific terms of the contract were not released.

"We're excited to begin the new era of the Chiefs with Coach Herbers back behind the bench. An automatic extension of his contract coupled with a long-term lease extension with the arena will give us much needed stability and a very bright future, both on and off the ice," said Chiefs vice president and general manager Bill Bredin.

"Coach Herbers is a dynamic, community-minded leader with strong bench management skills, player personnel and development abilities, as well as a keen understanding of the business operations of the ECHL. Along with our new affordable ticket prices and planned promotional schedule, the signing of Herbers is something our great fans should really get excited about," added Bredin.

Herbers will return to the Chiefs for his third season as the bench boss. He became the seventh head coach in team history after spending three seasons as a coach, one as an assistant and two as an associate, with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. The Jasper, Alberta native's coaching career began in 2003-04 with San Antonio of the American Hockey League where Herbers was an assistant to former Chiefs head coach Scott Allen.

"I am thrilled to be back with the Chiefs for another season. The action by the county commissioners is a step in the right direction, and great news for the most loyal and supportive fans in the league. I'm looking forward to the challenge of building an exciting hockey team that will contend for the Kelly Cup and one that the Johnstown community can really get behind," said Herbers.

Herbers burst onto the ECHL coaching scene in 2007-08 when he guided the Chiefs to a 36-30-6 record, 25-12-5 from January to April, and a playoff berth as the fourth seed in the North Division. His 36 wins were the most in team history for a rookie coach. In 2008-09 Herbers and his team picked up right where they left off the previous season. He directed the Chiefs to 20 wins faster than any other team in the Chiefs' history, and as a result was chosen to coach the American Conference in the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game in Reading. In two seasons at the Chiefs' helm Herbers has compiled a record of 73-60-11 which ties him with Toby O'Brien for the most wins after two seasons as the Chiefs coach.

A former 10th round draft pick (#190 overall) of the Buffalo Sabres in 1987, Herbers has turned his extensive career as a player into coaching success. Known as a rugged, physical defenseman, Herbers' playing career spanned 12 seasons and included stops in the AHL, IHL, NHL, Scotland, and England. He skated in 65 NHL games between the Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and New York Islanders, and produced five assists and 79 penalty minutes. Herbers won two championships as a pro, as well. He was a member of the 1993 Calder Cup Champion Cape Breton Oilers of the AHL, and the 1997 IHL Turner Cup Champion Detroit Vipers.

Be a part of Chiefstown! Chiefs season ticket packages are on sale right now. Don't miss out on all the great benefits of being a Chiefs season ticket holder. There are even special discounts for children, students, military veterans, and seniors. You can speak to a season ticket representative today by calling the Chiefs at 814-539-1799, or by visiting the team's office during business hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

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