Published: September 15, 2009 11:41 pm      

Chiefs issue challenge to region

The Johnstown Chiefs announced Tuesday a program aimed at increasing the team’s season-ticket base while giving back to the community.

If 200 new season tickets are purchased through Oct. 16, the Chiefs will donate 100 tickets to area non-profit organizations and charities for each of their seven Wednesday home games during the 2009-10 season.

The Chiefs will post regular updates on sales on their Web site – www.johnstownchiefs.com.

The Web site also includes pricing options for purchasing season tickets.

The Chiefs open the regular season on Oct. 17 at home against Cincinnati.

“This community has a tendency to really rally behind good causes,” Ray Schmitt, the Chiefs’ director of communication and customer relations, told The Tribune-Democrat. “We really want to have this at the forefront of people’s minds leading up to the home opener.”

That Wednesday home schedule includes these games:

n Nov. 11 vs. Reading.

n Nov. 25 vs. Reading.

n Dec. 2 vs. Wheeling.

n Dec. 16 vs. Reading.

n Jan. 6 vs. Kalamazoo.

n March 3 vs. Kalamazoo.

n March 31 vs.Toledo.

The Chiefs have already sold more than 600 season tickets.

“It’s obvious how well the Johnstown area has supported the Chiefs since 1988, and that the city has a lot of pride in its hockey team,” said Chris Catanzaro, director of sales. “The team is constantly trying to grow its season-ticket base and we think this is a creative way to do that.

“The Chiefs also want to do everything in our power to be a good community partner, and if we can all pull together it will be a great feeling to allow up to 100 people to attend our Wednesday home games for free.”