Oh the Irony; Johnstown Chiefs moving to Greenville, S.C.

[MasterBlaster]

The Johnstown Chiefs of Slap Shot! movie fame are moving to Greenville S.C.
due to sagging ticket sales.

Entering their final game this past week to a sellout crowd, the Chiefs held the worst record in the ECHL 
The fans started to show up after the announcement, but it was too late. I'm sure the interest would have
been short-lived anyways.

http://tribune-democrat.com/local/x1413002449/Chiefs-plan-to-move-franchise-to-South-Carolina
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/05/sports/hockey/05chiefs.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Hanson-Brother-talks-surreal-demise-of-Slap-Sho?urn=nhl,231057

[OCCD]

Reggie Dunlop is rolling in his grave.

[DJTommyK]

This is really a shame, because the Chiefs were one of the original ECHL teams.  (I worked for an ECHL team in Augusta, GA for 7 years).  Greenville (one of Augusta's biggest rivals back in the day) lost their franchise a few years back, due to...sagging attendance.  Not sure why they think it'll work now, but whatever.  My prediction is that the Greenville franchise, along with the South Carolina Stingrays will join the SPHL within a season or two.  The SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League) has expanded to Augusta, after the team I worked for folded about a hear and a half ago.  The Augusta River Hawks will start play next season.  Unfortunately, franchises moving, etc, is all a part of minor-league hockey.  Still stinks for the fans in J'town though.

As a side note, the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL - affiliated with the Pens) will play 10 of their home games in Johnstown.

[Tiga]

Bummer - I'm originally from Windber, which is a few minutes from Johnstown.  Everyone loved the Chiefs - sorry to hear that they are leaving.
Tiga

[thuffman03]

Q.  But who onns the Chief's?
A.  Owns....Owns.