Johnstown Chiefs have signed head coach Toby OBrien to a contract extension through the 2005-06 season.

I am very pleased the way the first couple of seasons have gone. The players that have been here have made my job much easier. I could not thank them enough. I have to thank Rick Adams and Neil Smith for giving me the opportunity to coach this team, said OBrien.

OBrien, 38, enters his 9th season with the franchise and third as head coach. During the 2003-2004 season, the Chiefs set franchise records for most wins (45), points (97), home wins (26), road wins (19), fewest losses (20) and fewest goals allowed (195).

We had a great season last year on and off the ice. Toby was a big part of that success. We look forward to him leading the team for the next couple of years, said Adams.

OBrien is 73-53-18 in two seasons as head coach. From 1996 to 2002, the Sandwich, Mass. native was general manager of the Chiefs. OBrien was a Chiefs goaltender during their inaugural season in 1988.