Ice Raid Chiefs For Second Player Spokane Loses Favaro In Over-Age Draft; Right Wing Grudgingly Accepts New Home

The Spokane Chiefs lost a second player to the expansion Edmonton Ice Wednesday when the new Western Hockey League team chose right wing Randy Favaro in the over-age draft.

Edmonton selected Spokane center Jared Hope in the May 22 expansion draft.

“I don’t like expansion,” Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz said. “We’ve given them two-thirds of a pretty good line. For all your labors, you get nothing in return.”

Favaro - who had a career-high 16 goals with 25 assists last year - takes a physical presence to Edmonton, Speltz added.

“He’ll give them a forechecking dimension and he has a good shot,” Speltz said. “I think he’ll play on one of their first two lines. While we’re sorry to lose him, it’s a good opportunity for Randy.”

Contacted at his home in North Delta, British Columbia, Favaro said, “I’ve seen better days.

“I was looking forward to finishing five years in Spokane. I understand it’s a business, and it’s the road you have to take. I’m looking forward to the (increased) ice time, but I’ll miss Spokane.

“I’ll miss my billets - Donna and Gabe Medina. They’ve been like second parents to me. Donna’s father was seriously hurt in a fall the other day. I’m heading back over there today to be with them.”

Favaro said he’s looking forward to the single meeting between the two clubs in Edmonton.

“I just have to make sure I let one go over Miller’s shoulder,” he said, referring to Chiefs goaltender Aren Miller.

“I’d like to come back to the Arena once more,” Favaro added. “I guess to do that, I’d have to make the all-star team.”

The WHL all-star game is in Spokane Jan. 21.

The Chiefs were allowed to protect three of their 10 over-age players.

Edmonton selected eight 1976-born players, five of whom can dress (three over-age players dress on established clubs).

The Ice added defenseman Darren Wright from the Prince Albert Raiders, defenseman Wade Belak of Saskatoon, defenseman Jaroslav Obsut from Swift Current and right wing Mike Dubinksy of Tri-City.

In previous deals, the Ice acquired over-age players Scott Rideout, a goaltender from Calgary, defenseman Derek Diener from Lethbridge and right wing Shawn Gendron of Prince George.

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