Time for the Chiefs to dust off their skates
Yes, it’s that time again: time to start thinking hockey – in August.
Last season the pressure was on Bill Peters to turn things around for the Spokane Chiefs.
The third-year head coach and his Chiefs, who were coming off back-to-back last-place finishes in the Western Hockey League and missed the playoffs both seasons with just 58 points, cleared that hurdle by qualifying for the playoffs.
Even though they were eliminated in the first round by Everett, it was a positive turnaround to the rough couple of seasons prior, in which the Chiefs spent most of their time at the bottom of the standings.
With training camp opening Thursday and ice sessions beginning Friday for the Chiefs, it is Peters’ hope that they can build on the momentum gained last season.
“It’s an exciting time of year,” said Peters. “We’ve been in the office working hard and now we’re getting athletes in.
“It’s good to see the progress they made over the summer.”
Nearly 90 players will participate in camp, including 19 from last year’s playoff roster.
Jared Cowen, the No. 1 overall draft pick from the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft, is now eligible to be a full-time player.
Cowen, a 16-year-old defenseman, joined the Chiefs last season in mid-March as a 15-year-old for the remaining six games of the regular season. He played in all six playoff games, finishing with two assists and six penalty minutes.
Also with an opportunity to make the Chiefs’ roster is Tyler Johnson (Central Valley High), a 17-year-old forward drafted in 2005.
Last season, Johnson scored 60 goals and 136 points in 46 games playing for the Coeur d’Alene Lakers.
“We’re exited about Tyler as he has a high level of skill,” Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz said. “He is a great skater and sees the ice exceptionally well. We expect Tyler to be a very exciting player during his career as a Spokane Chief.”
Players check in Thursday for fitness testing and begin ice sessions on Friday. Training camp concludes with the Red-White scrimmage on Sunday.