Hockey Returns to Johnstown with the Tomahawks
By: Laura Hartog
Updated: July 31, 2012
On today's Central PA Live, Johnstown Tomahawks President Rick Bouchard and Head Coach Jason Spence talk with Dawn about bringing hockey back to Johnstown, their new team, the league and their upcoming season.
Meet the Tomahawks!
The Johnstown Tomahawks will host a Select-a-Seat and Open House at the War Memorial Arena this Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free event is open to the public and it gives all prospective season ticket buyers a chance to preview and purchase the best available seats for the Tomahawks 2012-2013 inaugural season in the NAHL!
The event will also feature the unveiling of the team's mascot and introductions to Tomahawks Head Coach Jason Spence and Assistant Coach Mike Letizia. Fans can enjoy refreshments, shoot pucks into the net and purchase Tomahawks merchandise. You can also meet the announcer for The Pittsburgh Penguins!
Those buying season tickets will have several exclusive benefits, including reduced pricing, a 20% discount off merchandise, private events, and early entrance on game days, among several other perks.
For additional information, call 814-536-4625, email info@johnstowntomahawks.com, or visit:
Team Information from the Public Relations Department:
Hockey is back in Johnstown, Pennsylvania! The Johnstown Tomahawks have arrived and are preparing for their first season in the NAHL with a bold new look and a talented group of Junior hockey players.
Building on the rich hockey tradition of the Johnstown Chiefs and the fabled Cambria County War Memorial Arena, the Tomahawks will bring an exciting, fast-paced and intense brand of hockey sure to please our loyal fans and supporters across Western Pennsylvania.
The Tomahawks will also be introducing our community outreach campaign and sponsorship opportunities and packages for local businesses and organizations seeking to partner with the team.
The 2012-2013 Tomahawks schedule can be downloaded below.
Franchise History
The Johnstown Tomahawks' origins date to the 1996-97 season, when the team was formed as the St. Louis Sting. The team had a combined regular season record of 98-158-15 during its five seasons in St. Louis.
In 2001, the team moved to Springfield, Missouri, and was renamed the Springfield Spirit. In four seasons there, the team was 71-133-20 in regular season play.
The team moved to Wasilla, Alaska, in 2005, becoming known as the Wasilla Spirit. They were 23-33-2 during the 2005-06 regular season. The team was renamed the Alaska Avalanche the following season, and they continued playing in Wasilla until the end of the 2009-10 season, when they moved to Palmer, Alaska.
In their six seasons as the Alaska Avalanche, the team was 154-167-33 in the regular season. In their final year in Alaska, the team was 35-19-6, finishing third in the West Division. They lost their opening-round playoff series to the Wenatchee Wild, three games to two.
