NPHL wants to bring hockey to Johnstown

The Johnstown Chiefs skated out of town almost three years ago.

A junior hockey league has shown interested in bringing a team back to the Cambria County War Memorial, but 6 News has learned that a new brand of minor league hockey wants to start its own franchise.

“I totally understand the history of Johnstown.  My father was a Johnstown Jet for years.”

Chuck Harrison watched his father play in the Cambria County War Memorial and he skated on the ice himself as a referee in the East Coast Hockey League.

The founder of the Northern Professional Hockey League wants to bring the game back to his hometown.

This afternoon Harrison was in Roanoke, Virginia meeting with city officials interested in joining the NPHL.

6 News spoke to Harrison by phone.  He told us that other cities are also interested, including Richmond, and Huntingdon, West Virginia.

The Johnstown Chiefs left in 2009 and struggled to fill seats at the War Memorial.

Harrison said the ECHL priced itself out of Johnstown and many other small markets.

He said his business plan is modeled after the success of minor league baseball.

He plans to offers professional hockey that families can afford.

“Our ticket prices are more family oriented”, said Harrison.  “I looked at some of these other hockey leagues. Their overhead is so high that they are forced to charge enormous ticket prices.  We’re not going to do that.”

A franchise fee to join the ECHL can cost around $1 million.

Harrison said it will only cost $30,000 to join the NPHL and the ownership must live in that town.

"Everybody I showed this plan to people inside of Johnstown and outside of Johnstown.  To people involved in hockey and other businesses.”  Harrison said, “They only have positive things to say about our plan.”

Harrison told 6 News that he has several Johnstown business leaders that are interested in owning a hockey team, but he may be playing shorthanded.

Harrison said he is frustrated that members of the War Memorial Authority have not returned his calls or taken the time to hear his sales pitch.

“Johnstown has the biggest hockey history.  The fans want the game.  For the life of me, I cannot understand why they don’t have their own team.”

The NPHL would bring 35 home games to the War Memorial.

Harrison said he only needs 6 teams to start his league and he is planning to drop the puck in October with or without Johnstown.