Chiefs acquire Couch from Gwinnett, add size and grit to blue line

Johnstown, Pa. – The door to the Cambria County War Memorial locker rooms is beginning to look more and more like a revolving door these days as the Johnstown Chiefs acquired defenseman Michael Couch from the Gwinnett Gladiators Wednesday for future considerations.

It was the second trade in less than 24 hours by the Chiefs and the fourth since the beginning of November. While the majority of the moves made this month could be considered offensive upgrades, Johnstown’s acquisition of Couch was purely one with defensive intentions.

“Mike gives us another big and mobile defenseman in our corps. He might not put up a ton of points but he will be responsible and steady in our end of the ice, and make things difficult on opposing teams' forwards,” said Chiefs Vice President and General Manager Bill Bredin.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound blue liner is a stay-at-home defenseman that the Chiefs are hoping will add more grit to the team’s net protection, especially in the third period. In its last three games Johnstown has surrendered nine third-period goals, allowing its opponents to force overtime in two of those games. Although The Chiefs finished the week 2-0-1 despite giving up the lead, Johnstown coaches are hoping that Couch’s presence will help clear out the crease and avoid any more third period drama.

Described as a team guy by former teammates and coaches, Couch is a tough, physical defenseman that focuses on clearing his net by any means necessary as evidenced by his penchant for amassing penalty minutes. While limited to just 18 penalty minutes this season with Gwinnett, Couch recorded 15 points (3G, 12A) and 108 penalty minutes during the 2007-08 season with the Mississippi Sea Wolves. He returned with the Wolves in 2008-09 and added six assists and 60 more penalty minutes through the first 15 games before an injury forced him to miss the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old native of Hanna, Alberta played four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and two at the Canadian collegiate level before beginning his professional career during the 2006-07 season with Torino in Italy. He then played two seasons with the Sea Wolves before signing with Gwinnett.

Couch is expected to join the Chiefs in Charlotte to begin a three-game road trip that includes two games against the Checkers Friday and Saturday before ending the trip Sunday with a game against the defending ECHL champion South Carolina Stingrays.

Johnstown dealt defenseman Kyle Bushee to the Wheeling Nailers Tuesday for future considerations and added defenseman Chris Zarb and forward Bryan Marshall to the lineup via trades as well. Marshall was acquired Nov. 10 from the Cincinnati Cyclones for center Ryan Del Monte, and Zarb joined the Chiefs after a trade Nov. 12 with the Gladiators for future considerations.