Chiefs deal for a defenseman, release Robinson

Chiefs

Discussion

November 18, 2009

BY MIKE MASTOVICH The Tribune-Democrat Wed Nov 18, 2009, 11:40 PM EST

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.”

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Chiefs

Slapshot Cup expands to 18 teams in second year
The Slapshot Cup Hockey Tournament has expanded for its second year in Johnstown.

September 28, 2011
Former players rally to help ‘Ziggy'
Randy Rowe felt it was so important to wear the specially designed Ziggy’s Fundraiser sweater that he juggled his schedule and planned a 91⁄2-hour drive from Belleville, Ontario, to Richland Township.

June 3, 2010 1 Photo
Johnstown sufferes an epic loss
The final seconds ticked down in the Johnstown Chiefs’ ECHL existence on Saturday night, and even though the hometown team trailed by four goals, a standing-room-only crowd began chanting, “Let’s go Chiefs.”
That chant would be nothing out of the ordinary on most nights. But this game was the last game.
Twenty-two ECHL seasons and thousands of memories came to a conclusion when the Chiefs dropped a 5-3 contest to Elmira at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

April 4, 2010 6 Photos
Mike Mastovich: ‘A sad night for Johnstown’
Scott Allen stood on the New York Islanders bench during Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.
Long Island and the NHL is about as far from Johnstown and the ECHL as one gets on a sunny afternoon.

April 4, 2010 2 Photos
Joe Gorden: City teams usually on thin ice
A sellout crowd turned out on Saturday to say goodbye to the ECHL’s
Johnstown Chiefs in their last game at Cambria County War Memorial Arena. The irony was obvious.

April 4, 2010 1 Photo
Nailers to play 11 games in Johnstown next year
The thought of loyal Johnstown Chiefs fans rooting for the Wheeling Nailers might have been difficult to grasp a few months ago.
But next season, Johnstown’s hockey fans have no other choice.

April 3, 2010
Mike Mastovich: 10 Defining moments in Chiefs history
So, this is it.
Twenty-two ECHL seasons and 1,518 regular-season games.
It ends tonight at a sold-out Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

April 3, 2010 3 Photos
Chiefs drop final road game
The Johnstown Chiefs dropped the final road game in team history on Friday night, falling behind early and failing to catch up to the Cincinnati Cyclones in a 5-1 loss in front of more than 10,000 fans at U.S. Bank Arena.

April 2, 2010
Arena confirms: Wheeling Nailers to play some games in Johnstown next year
April 2, 2010
From goalies to grinders to scorers, the Chiefs have seen it all
Nineteen seasons of covering the Johnstown Chiefs have been filled with numerous ups and downs, unexpected twists and more than enough bizarre antics.

April 2, 2010 1 Photo
More Chiefs Headlines

California raids 9/11 fund for deficits

Chiefs

Search Results

Discussion

Chiefs deal for a defenseman, release Robinson

Should the speed limit on sections of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and related highways be raised to 70 mph from 65 mph.

Contact Us