Sports
Related Photos
-
John Rucosky
Discussion
Chiefs name new coach
The Johnstown Chiefs named Ian Herbers as the ECHL team’s eighth coach in franchise history during a press conference Monday at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Herbers, 39, is a former NHL defenseman with 12 years’ playing experience at various levels of the professional game. Most recently, he was an associate coach of the major junior Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League.
“Night in and night out, I stand out in front of the War Memorial and I talk to fans,” Chiefs owner Jim Weber said, explaining his decision to hire Herbers as the Chiefs prepare for their 20th-anniversary season in the ECHL.
“I heard you say you want a different product on the ice. I made a couple tough decisions and decided to make some changes.”
Herbers replaced former coach Frank Anzalone, who led the Chiefs to the playoffs in each of his two seasons.
Anzalone lost his job when the Chiefs ended a working agreement with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning.
Johnstown and the surrounding areas made an impression on Herbers during an interview last month. He returned last weekend to begin looking for a home for his family, including his wife, Alina, and two daughters.
“That’s all you can ask for as a coach and a player. You want to be in a place that loves hockey and wants a winning team and supports the team all season long,” Herbers said of Johnstown.
The Chiefs are trying to secure another NHL affiliate to help supply players for the upcoming season.
“There are only a few NHL teams that are left out there,” Herbers said. “We need to get a strong core of players to build that team around so that, when you do have those call-ups and injuries, you still have your players that are here and are going to guide this team.”
- Sports
-
-
Panthers’ rally falls short
Utah freshman Brian Blechen intercepted a pass on the first play of overtime, setting up Joe Phillips for a 21-yard field goal that gave the Utes a 27-24 victory against No. 15 Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
-
For Rams, focus turns to football
-
Leftwich hurts knee in victory
Maybe Carolina Panthers coach John Fox had the right idea: Rest your starters in the final exhibition game.
Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich, expected to replace Ben Roethlisberger during his suspension, injured his left knee in the second quarter as Pittsburgh beat the starter-less Panthers 19-3 on Thursday night. -
Roethlisberger to meet with Goodell
Ben Roethlisberger’s first big gain of the season may occur weeks before he returns to the field.
His six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy likely will be shortened to four games by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the two meet in New York today. -
Hilltop hockey heads outdoors
The Westmont Hilltop hockey team will take its game outdoors in January.
The Hilltoppers were selected to play in the UPMC High School Hockey Outdoor Charity Series on Jan. 21 against defending Class A state champion Mars. The outdoor game will be played at Allegheny County North Park as part of a scheduled four outdoor PIHL games played over two dates. -
Rookie thanks Clemente for saving father’s life
When Pirates second baseman Neil Walker takes the field at PNC Park, he needs only to glance over his shoulder at the 21-foot Roberto Clemente Wall in right field for inspiration.
-
Spanier welcomes Nebraska crossover game
Penn State President Graham Spanier was pulling for Nebraska.
So he was pleased when the Big Ten announced Wednesday night that the expansion-revised football schedules would guarantee an annual game between the Nittany Lions and Cornhuskers starting in 2011. -
Pitt hoping to rise to occasion in Utah
Utah has been among the most dynamic offensive football programs in the nation in recent years and has been particularly successful at home where the Utes have 17 straight victories.
-
Steelers get last chance with Roethlisberger for at least a month
The Pittsburgh Steelers will get one last glimpse of Ben Roethlisberger playing quarterback before he begins his NFL-mandated suspension.
-
Bolden to start for Penn State
It’s a Bolden move for No. 19 Penn State.
- More Sports Headlines
-
