“Are you coming back?” That is the question Tomahawk team president Rick Bouchard has been asked frequently over the past year.
Thursday Bouchard, along with other team and War Memorial representatives made a big announcement, “The Tomahawks have reached a commitment to stay in Johnstown for at least six more years.”
The team will play in Johnstown through the 2021-2022 season.
“It’s amazing knowing that they’re going to be around for at least six more years,” Donna Hansen said. The announcement was even more special for season ticket holder Hansen, who houses some of the players during the season, “They become part of your family. We love to sit down, have meals with them, and hear about their days. If they had a bad day, we want to help them get through it.”
Officials said Thursday morning that this not only shows their dedication to the fans, coaches, and players, but it’s an economic commitment to Johnstown.
“We promised that four years ago when we came, that the economic impact would be very significant,” Bouchard said. “If you come to a game downtown you see people tailgating, walking to the arena with jerseys, the hotels are full.”
We’re told after winning the title of Hockeyville USA last year, the attendance for the season increased. For the 2015-2016 season, they had multiple sellout crowds of nearly 4,000 fans.
“Hockeyville did so much to bring the community together and having it here, we’ll always be the first Hockeyville,” Hansen added.
Keeping the team in Johnstown goes beyond the sellout crowds and the city’s love for hockey.
“The Tomahawks went beyond the rink and became members of our community by participating in events and supporting charitable organizations. They were a partner in working with our community,” commissioner Tom Chernisky said.