Esmark CEO Unveils New Name and Logo of Minor League Hockey Team

The cult classic hockey film  helped inspire the Johnstown Chiefs. Now the Johnstown Tomahawks will carry on the storied history.

Johnstown Sports Partners LLC, a private investment group announced today in conjunction with the North American Hockey League (NAHL) that the "Johnstown Tomahawks” will serve as the new team name. Also unveiled was the team's chosen logo.

James P. Bouchard, chief executive and chairman of Sewickley-based Esmark, Inc. who is majority owner of the Johnstown Tomahawks, said in a news release the name and logo were chosen after considerable thought after receiving a large and vocal response from Johnstown hockey fans across the region and the country.

The new team logo and name design honors the storied history of the Johnstown Chiefs and its home arena made famous in the classic hockey film, “.” 

“The Johnstown Hockey Nation has been abuzz since May 11 when we announced the acquisition and relocation of the Alaska Avalanche to Johnstown and they contributed great ideas for the team name and logo," Bouchard said in a news release.

"Interest and inquiries from potential player candidates, scouts, sponsors and local businesses looking to join with us has been terrific," he said. "That’s a testament to the local community and region’s love for hockey, and we believe the choice of our team name and logo reflects that intense loyalty and enthusiasm.”

The Johnstown Tomahawks will debut their new look and uniforms when the team begins its first NAHL season in October at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, the site of filming for the classic 1977 hockey movie, according to a news release.

The team logo and name has a color scheme of red, white and blue, created as a tribute to the American war veterans honored and commemorated throughout the War Memorial Arena. The “Tomahawks” nickname was chosen to symbolize the new team’s fighting spirit, according to a press release.

Johnstown Sports Partners also announced the head coach as Jason Spence, a former Johnstown Chiefs player, team captain, assistant coach and current assistant coach of the East Coast Hockey League’s Greenville Road Warriors.

Spence, who served as the Chiefs’ assistant coach from 2009 to 2010, is recognized for his player development skills and extensive scouting and recruiting experience.

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The Johnstown Tomahawks have established a temporary website at www.johnstowntomahawks.com that includes information on the team; social media access platforms and videos; and upcoming events, front-office contacts and links to other NAHL franchises.

The team will also be featured on the NAHL’s website at www.nahl.com.