The Johnstown Tomahawks today announced that Mike Letizia has been promoted to become the second head coach in the team’s history.
General Manager Rick Boyd said Letizia, who has served as assistant head coach and director of scouting for the last two seasons, stood out amongst an extensive list of candidates considered during the five-week coaching search.
“We were looking for the right person to lead our team, and we’re very pleased to find that fit within our own organization. Mike has demonstrated true commitment to our team , and he has excelled at everything we’ve asked him to do. He deserves this opportunity.”
“Mike’s vision for this team is exactly where we want our organization to go moving forward," Team President Rick Bouchard said. "His work ethic towards scouting and developing our players for the next level is tremendous, and his loyalty and passion for both the organization and the Greater Johnstown community really set him apart.”
Letizia, 29, played four seasons with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League and one season with the Rockford Ice Hogs of the United Hockey League before beginning his coaching career with the Tomahawks in 2012. He currently resides in Somerset with his wife and daughter.
“This organization has been very good to me over the past two seasons, and I am very grateful to the ownership group, Rick Boyd, and Rick Bouchard for this opportunity. I believe there are great things to come for our team, and I am eager to get to work and start making them happen.”
Letizia conducted the first of the team’s three summer try-out camps last weekend near Detroit. Additional camps will be held near Chicago June 13-15 and near Pittsburgh June 27-29, with the top players from all three camps invited to the team’s main camp in Johnstown next month.
“The returning veterans are hungry to get back to town, and our tendered prospects are anxious to get to work. There is a bright future ahead for these young men, and I am excited for what we can accomplish together this season,”Letizia said.
The Tomahawks begin their home 2014-15 schedule Saturday, Oct. 25 against new in-state rivals the Keystone Ice Miners, formerly the Port Huron Fighting Falcons. The Tomahawks' regular season begins with nine consecutive road games, starting with the Saturday, Sept. 13, opener, also against the Ice Miners.
Full- and half-season ticket packages are now available for the 2014-15 season, with prices starting as low as $7 per game for adults or$5 per game for kids under 12. For information,visit www.JohnstownTomahawks.comor call 814-536-4625.