Published: October 17, 2009 12:32 am      

Chiefs’ fans will see changes

The Johnstown Chiefs will open their 22nd ECHL season tonight against Cincinnati with a new coach and a mix of returning and new players.

Before Chiefs fans see their 2009-10 team on the ice, Chiefs General Manager Bill Bredin hopes those spectators will notice what he believes is an upgrade in the team’s off-ice presentation as well as a few changes at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

“You’ll see some changes that were just a simple matter of us listening to our fans,” said Bredin, the second-year GM. “We’re going to have a private entrance for our season ticket holders which should make things more convenient for them. We’re going to have a ticket scanner system in place which should expedite the entrance for all of our fans. We’ll have TicketMaster available to those who want to use that service.”

Once inside, people will find a few more changes, some subtle, others more significant.

“I think our fans will immediately notice a cleaner building,” he said.

“They’ll see more structure. (New arena manager) SMG has gone a long way toward implementing rules and regulations to make it a more professional building. Our fans will see a difference in the signage in the arena. It’s going to be more appealing to the eye.

“Our game-day presentation is going to be more polished and more professional. As far as our concessions go, people are going to be able to purchase things like Domino’s Pizza. I think things like that will be appreciated.”

Bredin said pre-sales for the

7:30 p.m. opener were at approximately 1,500 Friday afternoon. The War Memorial seats 3,880.

“We’re expecting a great turnout,” Bredin said.

The Chiefs will welcome back former Johnstown Jets tough guy Dave Hanson, one of the infamous, bespectacled Hanson Brothers in the 1977 Paul Newman movie “Slap Shot.” Hanson, a former NHL player who manages Robert Morris University’s Neville Island Sports Complex, will sign autographs and his book, “Slap Shot Original: The Man, the Foil, the Legend,” before and during parts of the game.

The first 1,500 fans will receive CTC magnetic Chiefs schedules. The band Lou Stein and All that Jazz will perform in the lobby before the game.

“It’s certainly an exciting time,” Bredin said.

“Everybody thinks they have a great team at this time of the year and we’re no different. Only time will tell. We’re looking forward to the puck dropping and the season getting under way.”

First-year head coach Jeff Flanagan and his assistant coach, former player Jason Spence, have whittled their training camp roster down to 21 players, with one on injured reserve. Returnees such as all-star goaltender Kris Mayotte, veteran captain Mike Knight, Jarrett Konkle, Ryan Del Monte, Matt Robinson, Greg Gallagher, Kyle Bushee and David Schulz will be counted on to provide leadership.

Flanagan replaced Ian Herbers, who accepted an AHL assistant coaching position on Aug. 3. After weeks of uncertainty, Flanagan took over and guided the team through the preseason.

“I’m incredibly excited,” Flanagan said.

“You get to this time of the season and everyone just wants to get playing.”

Bredin said the Chiefs have a new public address announcer, Rick Hull. Former PA man Dan Hockenberry will handle the recorded music and coordinate intermission promotions, while keyboardist Rick Oswald will play the organ throughout the game.

Somerset’s Rob Dandrea will sing the national anthem.

Even though tonight is a 7:30 face-off, Bredin said the arena doors will open at 6, as they usually do for 7 p.m. starts. Season-ticket holders may enter at 5:45.

“I want to give the fans a chance to interact with Dave Hanson as much as possible,” he said.



Tonight’s game



What: Cincinnati vs. Johnstown.



When: 7:30 p.m.



Where: Cambria County War Memorial Arena.



On the air: WNTJ 1490 AM; WNTW 990 AM.



On the Web: www.johnstownchiefs.com.