BY MIKE MASTOVICH
The Tribune-Democrat
May 09, 2008 07:40 pm
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Johnstown Chiefs coach Ian Herbers said the International Hockey League’s Flint Generals haven’t contacted him about the team’s vacant coaching job.
A published report listed Herbers as someone the Generals front office might be interested in as the coaching search continues in Flint, Mich.
“I haven’t talked to Flint and I don’t know anything about it,” Herbers said when reached at his home in Saginaw, Mich., about 30 minutes from Flint. “They fired the coach in January or February and their assistants took over.”
Herbers’ contract with the Chiefs extends one more season.
He already is building on the foundation set during his debut season in Johnstown. The Chiefs won 36 games and swept Dayton in a best-of-3 playoff series before falling to eventual conference finalist Cincinnati in the division semifinals.
“I have another year on my deal. It was a good year in Johnstown,” Herbers said. “The fans were very supportive of me and the team. We had a great group of guys there and we want to keep building on last year. At the same time, you have to continue exploring options. If someone is contacting you, you have to at least listen to what they’re offering you.”
When asked if any other organization had contacted him, Herbers responded, “No.”
Herbers established Chiefs’ affiliations with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins, as well as their AHL affiliates in Cleveland (Lake Erie) and Providence, respectively.
A group of seasoned veterans, contracted prospects and skilled free agents helped Herbers’ Chiefs overcome a miserable December to finish strong. The team mixed toughness and skill to win over fans and bring optimism to the postseason.
“I’ve been busy around the house here,” said Herbers, who with his wife, Alina, has two daughters. “I’ve been following up with Colorado and Boston. I’ve been talking to a couple agents. I’m trying to get people for Johnstown right now.”
The former NHL defenseman played four games with Flint in the former United Hockey League during his final season in 2003-04. He was an emergency player summoned as needed, much like Larry Courville’s role with Reading in recent years.
“I had already retired and I was managing a rink in Detroit,” Herbers said. “I basically came in and played games. I didn’t skate with them at all at practice. I just showed up for the games. They were short on defense and Robbie Nicholls was GM-coach. I was just helping them out.”
Herbers has additional ties to the region. He played six seasons with the Detroit Vipers and spent three years as an assistant coach in Saginaw.
Peter South, Steve Pronger and Jason Muzzatti have also been named as potential candidates for the first round of interviews at Flint, according to the report. All three served as associate coaches after Kevin Kerr was fired with 18 games remaining in the regular season.
“I haven’t talked to anybody in the Flint organization at all,” Herbers said.
“I drove through on the way home,” he said, laughing. “I didn’t slow down at all.”
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