The Johnstown Tomahawks are thrilled to announce the appointment of Chuck Linkenheld as the Director of Scouting. With an illustrious career spanning over 35 years in coaching, player development, and scouting, Chuck brings an unparalleled wealth of experience and expertise to the organization.
Chuck Linkenheld’s impressive coaching journey has seen him oversee more than 3000 games, predominantly at the U18/U16 AAA level, where he has consistently demonstrated his remarkable ability to identify, nurture, and cultivate young hockey talent. His coaching tenure includes notable stints with the Chicago Reapers, Chicago Mission, and Team Illinois, cementing his reputation as a premier figure in player development.
Notably, his influence has extended to the Junior Tier II level in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), where he served as both Head Coach and General Manager for two years. His visionary approach to team leadership and strategic player management contributed to the success and growth of his teams. Linkenheld’s involvement in scouting and player development has been equally impactful. He has lent his expertise to esteemed teams such as the Tri-City Storm (USHL), Waterloo (USHL), Austin (NAHL), and the International Scouting Service. His keen eye for identifying potential and nurturing emerging talents has proven invaluable to organizations seeking to bolster their ranks.
“Chuck will be a strong, welcomed addition to the program overseeing our scouting department,” said Tomahawks Head Coach, Mike Letizia. The ability to have him handling the recruiting of future players and building a widespread scouting staff all over the world should be vital to our recruitment of players and building longevity within the program. “Chuck has a great familiarity of the Tomahawks organization from his son Casey playing here for 2.5 seasons. That experience can help tell the story to future players about Tomahawks hockey and playing in Johnstown. This is another big step to continue to build and grow our organization even stronger.”
Throughout his career, Chuck has been a pillar of success, not only as a coach and scout but also as a leader in developing players for junior and college hockey. His dedication and acumen have paved the way for numerous athletes to make the transition to higher levels of play. The Illinois native’s own hockey journey began as a Division 1 player at Merrimack College, where he not only excelled on the ice but also served as the team captain, demonstrating his natural leadership qualities. His exceptional achievements have earned him a place in the AHAI Hockey Hall of Fame. Beyond the rink, Chuck is supported by his wife Gina, and their five children.
“I am excited to be involved in bringing young men with character and talent to the Tomahawks and the Johnstown community. My goal is to provide the coaching staff with quality players they can develop and move on to be solid college hockey players. If our scouting staff and coaching staff accomplish this goal, we will establish a winning tradition and a chance to compete and win a Robertson Cup,” said Linkenheld.
“The Johnstown Tomahawks eagerly anticipate the positive impact that Chuck Linkenheld’s expertise will have on their scouting and player development initiatives as they forge ahead in the pursuit of excellence” stated Tomahawks majority owner, John Koufis.