Defenseman Jared Cowen and forward Levko Koper will miss the Spokane Chiefs' game at Everett Wednesday night because they'll be in Victoria playing for the Western Hockey League team that faces a Russian team in the 2009 Super Series.

There is a second game in Kelowna on Thursday but only six WHL players were selected to play in both games. In the first six yeas of the series the WHL has out-scored the Russians 59-18, winning 11 of 12 games.

Cowen, an assistant captain for the WHL team, and Koper will be back for Friday's game in Tri-City. The Chiefs return home for the first time in two weeks when they face Regina on Saturday.

There have been a flurry of trades, with Alan Caldwell's blog providing a quick read. Chiefs GM Tim Speltz said, "We have talked to some teams. I'd like to think we'd be in the conversation but we have nothing on the table."

With Jared Spurgeon's return on defense, the Chiefs have eight blueliners. Rookies Tanner Mort, 16, and Garrett Leedahl have been scratched most games, but one will replace Cowen in Everett and two D-men will be needed when Cowen and Stefan Ulmer got the World Championships next month. Cowen will leave for camp on Dec. 12. The U-20 tournament runs Dec. 26-Jan 5 in Saskatoon.

From the Chiefs' successful three-game swing through Alberta: a win in Edmonton; a loss in Red Deer; and a win in Calgary;

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