JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The Johnstown Chiefs announced today that they have relieved Jeff Flanagan of his head coaching duties effective immediately. In the interim, Chiefs owner Neil Smith will serve as the head coach. Smith will be assisted by Jason Spence who will continue to serve as assistant coach and director of community relations. Chiefs general manager Bill Bredin will take on an expanded role to assist the coach staff.

Smith becomes the 10th head coach in the history of the only ECHL team still playing in its original city. For the past seven years Smith has served as the owner and governor of the Chiefs having purchased the club in June 2002. Smith, 55, brings a wealth of hockey experience, as a player and executive at the professional and amateur levels, to the Chiefs’ bench.

As general manager of the New York Rangers, Smith left his most indelible mark on the hockey world by leading the Original Six club to its first Stanley Cup championship in 54 years in the spring of 1994. He served as the Rangers’ general manager from 1989-2000 and was promoted to team president in 1992, becoming the first person in team history to hold both positions simultaneously. Following the 1991-92 and 1993-94 seasons, Smith was named Executive of the Year by The Hockey News and The Sporting News, respectively.

Smith began to earn his stripes in the front office as a pro and amateur scout for the New York Islanders in the early 1980s. From there he was hired by the Detroit Red Wings in 1982 and served as the director of scouting and the general manager of the AHL’s Adirondack Red Wings. In 1986 and 1989 the Red Wings won Calder Cup Championships under Smith’s direction.

In the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft the New York Islanders selected Smith in the 13th round (#204 overall) out of Western Michigan University. A defenseman, he earned All-American honors as a freshman with 31 points (4G, 27A) in 34 games. He went on to play two professional seasons splitting time between the NEHL, EHL, and IHL. Smith played 89 games for seven different teams totaling 44 points (5G, 39A) and 73 penalty minutes. 
   
Smith will be behind the bench when the Chiefs take on the Trenton Devils on January 13 at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton. He replaces Flanagan who was 10-18-7 in his first season as a head coach in the ECHL.

Mark your Calanders!  The Chiefs return to Johnstown Friday, January 15 against the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:05. The Chiefs will be showcasing a slew of custom made furniture from Cambria Chair Company throughout the War Memorial concourse. There will also be a glow bracelet giveaway to all children in attendance. Good seats still remain for individual tickets, go to ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000. For everything Chiefs visit www.johnstownchiefs.com.

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