Published: August 06, 2009 11:47 pm      

Chiefs ‘thrilled’ about signings

Under normal circumstances, signing two of their most reliable and experienced defensemen would be the big story of the day for the Johnstown Chiefs.

While important to the ECHL team’s success in the upcoming season, Thursday’s announcement that Mike Knight and Greg Gallagher each had signed contracts to return to the Chiefs was overshadowed by Arena United Inc.’s announcement that effective Thursday it no longer will manage the Chiefs.

Owner Neil Smith will have complete control over the franchise.

Regardless of who is in charge when the first puck is dropped, having both Knight and Gallagher on the blue line should benefit the Chiefs.

The veterans were regular defensive partners last season.

“We’re thrilled,” Chiefs General Manager Bill Bredin said.

“They are both hard-working, consistent performers who are also great representatives of the Chiefs organization and the Johnstown community. We expect they will provide leadership and solidify our back end.”

Knight, 24, will play his third season with the Chiefs and his fifth as a professional. Last season he netted five goals and

25 points in 44 games with the Chiefs. Knight led the team’s defensemen in scoring, but also was capable of playing tough.

He had 103 penalty minutes and had a plus-8 rating.

His two-season totals in Johnstown include 14 goals,

59 points and 240 penalty minutes in 99 games. He has a plus-22 rating overall.

Gallagher, 25, will play his third season in Johnstown. In 67 games last year he had four goals and a career-high 23 points. In 112 games, Gallagher has six goals and

32 points with the Chiefs.

Both players joined the Chiefs after being signed by former coach Ian Herbers, who left the team on Monday to accept an assistant coaching position with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. Bredin said the Chiefs have received interest from a group of solid candidates and should soon narrow a list to five top contenders.