Johnstown Chiefs Moving To South Carolina

The Johnstown Chiefs -- the only original member of the East Coast Hockey League still playing -- will head south, the team's owner said Sunday.

The Chiefs will move to Greenville, S.C., at the end of this season, pending approval of the league and Greenville Arena Authority, which will meet Monday to okay professional hockey's return to the Bi-Lo Center.

Chiefs owner Neil Smith said the Chiefs will play out the remainder of the season and then the league's last remaining original franchise will head to Greenville, ending 22 seasons in the ECHL.

"We really had no other choice," said Smith. "I wanted nothing more the last eight years to have the team in Johnstown forever. No one would step up from the local area to buy the team, so therefore, we had to make a business decision."

Smith has been the team's majority owner since 2002 and made no secret of his desire to have local ownership take over. However, with no takers and dwindling attendance, Smith was left with no other option.

"The team just couldn't sustain itself economically and hasn't been able to for a number of years," he said, adding this season's "all-time" low attendance figures added to the financial turmoil.

Despite the Chiefs' loyal fan base, average attendance for the current season was below 2,000 fans per game. Further, financial difficulties the organization endured over the 2008-09 season left the Chiefs with losses in the six-figure range.

Cambria County commissioners said they were surprised by the announcement and said the War Memorial Arena will survive and hopes a new team will take the Chiefs place in Johnstown.

"We're confident our management company, SMG, will keep the arena active and viable. As you know, the story one door closes another one opens and I know that SMG will pursue the possibilities of bringing in another hockey team, among other things," said Commissioner P.J. Stevens. "Hopefully soon we'll have another team that we can identify with and be proud of and maybe actually appreciate somewhat more than we did."

Stevens said he feels like the Chiefs were a victim of the times and the recession.

Previous Stories: January 11, 2010: Chiefs Fire Flanagan; Owner Smith Takes Over January 10, 2010: Johnstown Chiefs Fire Head Coach September 8, 2009: Chiefs Land New Head Coach August 25, 2009: Chiefs May Enter Season Without Affiliate August 19, 2009: Despite Changes, Chiefs Hockey Looks To Future August 7, 2009: Johnstown Chiefs' Management Backs Out; Money Questions Loom August 6, 2009: Arena United Out As Manager Of The Chiefs April 29, 2009: Cambria County Commissioners Grant Chiefs Check April 27, 2009: War Memorial Board Vote Tied On Chiefs Check April 27, 2009: War Memorial To Vote On Payment To Chiefs' Management April 23, 2009: Cambria County Controller Says No To Chiefs Funds April 20, 2009: Chiefs To Stay In Johnstown, Cut Ticket Prices April 17, 2009: Chiefs Future Bright Pending Arena Vote April 13, 2009: Chiefs Negotiations Continue April 13, 2009: Chiefs Fans Anxiously Await News About Hockey Team's Future April 10, 2009: Johnstown Chiefs Talks Continue April 8, 2009: Chiefs Owner: County Decisions Limit Team Survival In Johnstown April 8, 2009: County Commissioners, Roustan Resume Talks April 6, 2009: Chiefs Season Ends Without Postseason Berth April 1, 2009: Young Hockey Fans Speak Out About Chiefs' Future March 31, 2009: Johnstown Chiefs Future In Johnstown In Jeopardy March 31, 2009: Businessman Offers To Help Negotiate Deal To Keep Chiefs In Johnstown