BY MIKE MASTOVICH
JOHNSTOWN — Johnstown Chiefs coach Jeff Flanagan traded away one defenseman and provided a medical update on another on Tuesday.
The Chiefs shipped second-year Johnstown defenseman Kyle Bushee to the Wheeling Nailers for future considerations. Bushee had no goals and one point in nine games this season after netting four goals and 23 points last season.
“I didn’t think we could give him the ice time that he needed, so we moved him somewhere he could be utilized a little more,” Flanagan said of Bushee. “The strong play of R.J. Anderson and Russ Sinkewich was a factor. They’ve kept playing well enough to merit keeping them in the lineup. They make mistakes like everyone else. But when they made a mistake, we correct it and they don’t make it again. They made it difficult for us to take them out of the lineup.
“Kyle was on the outside. For his benefit as well, I wanted to make sure he was in a situation where he could play. That’s how we came to our decision.”
The 3-6-3-0 Chiefs have earned at least a point in their past five games (3-0-2-0) and eight of a possible 10 points during that span. Johnstown will leave for a southern road swing on Thursday. The Chiefs play at Charlotte on Friday and Saturday, and visit Charleston, S.C., on Sunday.
Flanagan had a positive report on captain Mike Knight, who suffered a scary injury after crashing head-first into the boards during a Nov. 11 home game against Reading. Knight has been released from the hospital and moved to a rehabilitation center as he continues to work on overcoming injuries that might have been much worse based on the impact and the lengthy amount of time he lay motionless, face-down on the ice.
“I went in to see him on Monday night,” Flanagan said. “He’s doing well. He’s recuperating as well as can be expected. He’s up and walking around a little bit. He’s in great spirits. They’ve moved him to the rehab center. They’re still waiting for swelling to go down, normal stuff like that.”
Flanagan said Knight has kept close tabs on his teammates.
“He’s watching our games on B2,” Flanagan said of the Internet streaming of ECHL games. “I keep him up-to-date on everything that’s going on and things we’re planning. I’ve been there almost every day. (Assistant coach Jason) Spence has been there too. A few of the guys have been there every day.”
Flanagan has opted to have three alternate captains in Knight’s absence instead of giving the captain’s “C” to another player.
Forward Jarrett Konkle and defensemen Trevor Hendrikx and Greg Gallagher each will wear the “A” as alternate captains.
“We’re going with three A’s because I’ve decided Mike’s still our captain,” Flanagan said. “He hasn’t gone anywhere. Out of respect to him we’re going with three A’s.”
