Chiefs Trade For Rugged Forward

The Spokane Chiefs, in a move to bolster their offense during the drive toward the Memorial Cup, have acquired the leading scorer of the Prince Albert Raiders.

Left wing Cam Severson will be in a Chiefs uniform tonight when Spokane takes on Brandon in the third of a four-game eastern road swing.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound forward who celebrated his 20th birthday Thursday, was the team leader in goals (23) and assists (25) for the Raiders. The Norquay, Saskatchewan, native was also second on the team in penalty minutes with 123.

To acquire Severson, who was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the eighth round of the 1997 Entry Draft, Spokane dealt left wing Marc Brown and right wing Justin Kelly.

Brown, in his second year with Spokane, played 41 games for the Chiefs this season, scoring 10 goals and getting 15 assists. Kelly, in his first season with Spokane, did not score in 14 games.

“We feel Prince Albert is receiving two quality players who are also fine young men,” said Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz. “It is difficult to trade young prospects who have been dedicated and committed to our program.

“But we also feel the trade was necessary to bolster our team for the Memorial Cup year. These are the players Prince Albert needed to complete the deal.”

Spokane is the host team for the nine-day Memorial Cup that begins May 9 in the Arena.

The Chiefs, with a 31-13-3 record, are in second place, five points behind Portland in the Western Division of the Western Hockey League.

, DataTimes