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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Proft provides protection for Chiefs

Spokane Chiefs left wing Carter Proft leads the Western Hockey League in penalty minutes this season. He says all hockey players have to be ready to stand up for their teammates. The Chiefs host Kelowna on Wednesday in their first game at the Arena since Jan. 26. Read story

Unlike other young Chiefs players, Proft never attended Ferris High. He finished his high school requirements with online classes.

Proft said his parents try to attend Chiefs games once a month.

He also got to reconnect with old friends when the Chiefs played at Brandon on Dec. 7.

That trip, to play six Eastern Conference teams, included a Dec. 1 game at Regina. Proft said his standout goal of the season came during the third period of that game, which the Chiefs won 6-5 in overtime. Proft's goal tied the score at 5.

The Chiefs were at their peak around that time. Proft has a theory as to what has happened during the two months since.

"When we’re at our best, we’re a hard-working, structured group," he said. "When we get away from that, we kind of run into problems."

Proft believes the Chiefs can steady the ship and move back up the standings.

"Down the stretch here, it’s all about jockeying for position," he said. "All the points are going to be important if you want to move up and for sure get home ice (top four in the conference) ... so it’s going to be an exciting end to the year."



Chris Derrick
Chris Derrick joined The Spokesman-Review in 1990. He currently is a copy editor for the Sports Desk.

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