BOSTON, MA -- This past week a pair of announcements were made regarding a couple coaches from the Mid-Atlantic Conference of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL).

After two seasons behind the bench for the New York Applecore, Graham Johnson has been named the new head coach of the MSOE Raiders in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA - Division III). Also after two seasons (one as Head Coach and one as Assistant Coach), George Lewis of the Philadelphia Little Flyers has been named the new Assistant Coach of the Amarillo Bulls in the North American Hockey League (NAHL - Tier II). The EHL would like to congratulate each coach on earning their new positions, as well as thank these hard-working individuals for everything they did for the league.

"My experience in the EHL has been invaluable to my development as a head coach," said Johnson. "The caliber of the coaches in the league forces you to get better everyday, to work hard, and get creative. My time with the Applecore has provided me the tools to move on to the college level as a more prepared head coach, in order to compete in one of the most competitive conferences at the NCAA Division III level."

Lewis echoed a similar sentiment towards his time in the EHL, and also spoke of his excitement towards being reunited with Rocky Russo (former Head Coach of the Little Flyers).

“Rocky is an excellent hockey coach as everyone knows,” Lewis said. “I was fortunate enough to walk into a good situation when I got together with him in Philadelphia. Rocky and I are pretty much on the same page when it comes to coaching; from the way we think the game, prepare, and compete. We want to do a good job.”

Each coach can't wait to get started this fall, but they also are really thankful for all those who helped them reach this point. Just like all of the players that advance from the EHL, the coaches rely on strong supporting casts as well.

"I would like to thank Bob and Steve Santini, Mark Kumpel and the rest of the league staff, for the opportunity to coach in the EHL," said Johnson. "My assistant coaches [Eric Soltys, Brian Fahey, and Matt Voity], and everyone else who helped over these past two years, this would not have been possible without each of you."

"I would like to thank the Giacobbo family for the opportunity they gave me with the Little Flyers," said Lewis. "I would also like to thank Mark Catron, Mike Narrigan, Anthony Lorusso, and everyone else that made my job that much easier in Philadelphia. I learned a lot during my time in the EHL, and I will be keeping a very close watch on the league as it continues to grow stronger over the next few years."

Read the full releases on Graham Johnson and George Lewis.