Johnstown Chiefs Announce 20th Anniversary Team

March 7, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA - The Johnstown Chiefs announced today, along with the Tribune Democrat, the results of the fan voting to elect the Chiefs' 20th Anniversary Team.

The voting began in February, and Chiefs fans poured in nearly 1,000 ballots in choosing the team. The categories to vote for included; head coach, forwards, goaltender, defensemen, and tough guy.

Scott Allen was chosen as the coach of the 20th Anniversary Team. Allen took over the Chiefs 29 games into the 1997-98 season, and patrolled the Johnstown bench until the conclusion of the 2001-02 season. In that time Allen won 144 games, and returned the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2000 after a five-year absence. Allen's 144 wins are the most by a Chiefs coach, leading the next closest coach, Steve Carlson (123), by 21 victories.

It was a close race for the 20th anniversary goaltender, but Freddy Deschenes just edged Stan "Smokey" Reddick. Deschenes holds the team record for wins in a career with 69. Deschenes and Reddick share the team record for goalie wins in a season at 25.

The top three forwards were Bruce Coles, Dmitri Tarabrin, and current Chiefs captain Randy Rowe. From 1991-95, and briefly in 2000, Coles was one of the most dangerous goal scorers in the league. He picked up 106 in a Chiefs uniform, second only to Lukas Smital's 107. A fan-favorite, Tarabrin has played more games, 480, in the black-and-gold than any player in team history. In his third season with Johnstown, Rowe is on pace for a career year with 20 goals and 30 assists in 44 games.

Rick Boyd topped the ballot in the tough guy category. Boyd racked up 966 penalty minutes as a Chief, and came out of retirement three times to don a Johnstown jersey.

A defensive pair for six years from 1999 through 2005, Jeff Sullivan and Brent Bilodeau were elected the blueliners for the 20th Anniversary Team. The two could have easily topped the tough guy category as well. Sullivan amassed more penalty minutes than any other Chief with 1,105, while Bilodeau racked up 542, eighth all-time. Bilodeau (414) and Sullivan (315) were also some of the longest tenured Chiefs as they played 729 games combined.

The Johnstown Chiefs would like to thank of the fans who took time to vote for the 20th Anniversary Team.

The Chiefs return to home ice for a pair of games this weekend. On Friday night the Wheeling Nailers visit the War Memorial for a 7:05 faceoff, and the first 1,000 fans through the door will get a Chiefs keychain courtesy of Mazzei and Associates. On Saturday, the Elmira Jackals will be in town with faceoff set for 7:05. With the Chiefs hosting a "Casino Night," fans will have a chance to win free airline tickets! Tickets can be purchased through the War Memorial box office by calling 814-536-5156, or by going to johnstownchiefs.com.



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