Published: November 18, 2009 11:39 pm      

Chiefs deal for a defenseman, release Robinson

JOHNSTOWN — The Johnstown Chiefs acquired defenseman Michael Couch from the Gwinnett Gladiators and released forward Matt Robinson on Wednesday.

Johnstown received Couch for future considerations. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound defenseman is a fourth-year professional.

“Mike’s kind of been a victim of the American League send down (of contract players to Gwinnett),” Chiefs coach Jeff Flanagan said. “He became available. We were in need of good, defensive defensemen to help our defensive zone and penalty kill. He will be a real good fit for us.”

Flanagan said Robinson had asked to be traded, but when no deal was reached with another team, the Chiefs waived him.

“He just felt that this wasn’t really a good situation for him,” Flanagan said. “I said, ‘Are you sure about that?’ He said, ‘Yeah, it’s best for me to move on.’ I said, ‘I’ll do what I can for you.’ ”

Robinson had scored 40 goals in two seasons with the Alaska Aces before former coach Ian Herbers obtained him in a trade involving ex-Johnstown all-star Alexandre Imbeault in July 2008.

Robinson was poised for a big season until a knee injury sidelined him after only 14 games last year (three goals, nine points).

This season, Robinson was tied for second on the Chiefs with nine points, including three goals, in 12 games.

The left wing is the latest among a group of returnees to leave the Chiefs either via trade or the waiver wire.

Defenseman Kyle Bushee (trade to Wheeling) and forward Ryan Del Monte (trade to Cincinnati) were moved in the past two weeks, and Tyler Hirsch, who played here two seasons ago, was waived.

Andrew Sarauer, one of last season’s top players, was released near the end of training camp and now is playing in Reading.

Couch joined former Gwinnett teammate Chris Zarb, a defenseman acquired by the Chiefs last week, as well as other recent additions such as Bryan Marshall, Moises Gutierrez and Jim McKenzie. Couch was scoreless in

11 games with Gwinnett this season.

His best year was in 2007-08 when he had three goals, 15 points and

108 penalty minutes with Mississippi. Last year he got out to a quick start with the Sea Wolves, collecting six points and 60 penalty minutes in 15 games before a season-ending injury.

The Chiefs will depart today for games in Charlotte, N.C., on Friday and Saturday, and a visit to Charleston, S.C., on Sunday.

“I told Mike Couch we could meet him in Charlotte or he could come here,” Flanagan said. “He said he wanted to come here, meet the guys and ride the bus with the guys to Charlotte. He will skate with us (today) and get on the bus. He knows Chris Zarb, and he played with Ryan Menei in Mississippi a few years ago.”

The 3-6-3-0 Chiefs have gained eight of a possible 10 points in their past five games (3-0-2-0).

“I look at this trip as an opportunity,” Flanagan said. “Charlotte has been up and down. We get to see South Carolina. We feel we’re as good as any team in the league and this is one of our opportunities to prove that.”