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CyclonesFan328301
(The Next Level!)
109 Posts |
 Posted - 04/01/2010 : 8:32:34 PM
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http://www.wjactv.com/sports/23028368/detail.html
printemaillinkShare this:twitterfacebookmoreText Size:AAAECHL Returning To Johnstown Next Season
Posted: 5:06 pm EDT April 1,2010
Updated: 6:02 pm EDT April 1,2010
JOHNSTOWN -- WJAC has learned that the ECHL may return to Johnstown as early as next season.
Multiple sources tell WJAC the Wheeling Nailers and Cambria County War Memorial are working on a contract to play an undisclosed amount of Nailers games in Johnstown.
This was confirmed by Nailers Vice President of Business Operations Craig Bommer, who said he is aware of contract discussions between team President Rob Brooks and War Memorial general manager Tim Landis.
Landis told WJAC that the possibility exists the Nailers could play a series of games in Johnstown next season, but would not comment further.
"They are working on a contract," said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna, "and we would support it.
"If it can work to help Wheeling and their scheduling, and allow ECHL games in a traditional market in Johnstown that we have a great deal of respect and admiration for, we would support it," McKenna added.
Denny Magruder, the executive director of WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, told WJAC talks with the Nailers are expected to continue into Friday. Copyright 2010 by WJACTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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CyclonesFan328301
(The Next Level!)
109 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2010 : 10:59:45 PM
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April 3, 2010
Breaking news: Nailers to play 11 games in Johnstown next year
For The Tribune-Democrat
JOHNSTOWN The AA affiliate of the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, and SMG Management have announced that they have teamed up to keep exciting ECHL professional hockey alive in Johnstown by playing 10 regular season games at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena throughout the 2010-2011 season.
The idea was generated upon the heels of theJohnstown Chiefs announcement just a few months ago that they were leaving for Greenville, S.C., for the 2010-2011 season.
Rob and Jim Brooks, owners of the Wheeling Nailers, grew up less than an hour from Johnstown. Knowing the strong history of hockey there, the two felt heartbroken to learn hockey would not longer be part of the communitys landscape.
"Hockey at the War Memorial has played a huge part in my life," Jim Brooks recalled. "As a youth and through high school I played many games in the Historic War Memorial and also attended several Chiefs games. It's a great honor to be able to keep their strong ECHL hockey tradition alive."
Johnstown has hosted professional hockey for over 50 years dating back to the Johnstown Jets of 1950 and was a founding city in the ECHL. The 1977 sports classic movie Slap Shot starring Paul Newman was also filmed at this classic venue.
Not only does this move allow Johnstown to continue to build their strong hockey tradition, but also allows the Johnstown community to cheer for the future Pittsburgh Penguins and watch the teams draft choices and prospects develop into NHLers.
The move also provides a great opportunity for the Nailers owners, SMG Management, and the entire Cambria County and surrounding region the opportunity to show the hockey world that there is room for hockey in Johnstown.
"SMG has been great to work with, and we both share the same enthusiasm to make ECHL hockey work in Johnstown, said Nailers co-owner Rob Brooks. "It is obvious they care a great deal about keeping quality ECHL hockey in Johnstown and we know they are as excited as we are about doing just that."
Together with the Brooks brothers we plan to work hard, embrace the community and provide that spark to re-energize hockey here, added Tim Landis of SMG/War Memorial Arena. On behalf of the Cambria County War Memorial Arena Authority, Cambria County and the City of Johnstown, we are excited for this excellent opportunity.
Johnstown season ticket packages will be available for all 10 regular season games plus a preseason game for only $130. Deposits are now being accepted at the Cambria County War Memorial box office and through the Nailers offices.
For more information regarding these ticket packages, please call the Cambria County War Memorial box office at 814-536-5156 or call the Nailers offices at 877-NAIL-TIX (624-5849) or visit the Nailers website at www.wheelingnailers.com.
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