December 28, 2011 in Sports

Chiefs shakeup sends leading scorer to Prince Albert

By The Spokesman-Review
 

Looking to shake things up, the Spokane Chiefs made a big move Wednesday morning, sending leading scorer Anthony Bardaro to Prince Albert for help in goal.

To pick up goalie Eric Williams, the Chiefs also sent backup goalie Luke Lee-Knight back to the Raiders, along with the fifth-round Bantam Draft pick they got when they traded Tyler Vanscourt to Prince Albert for Lee-Knight in September.

The Chiefs, 16-11-2-3, also get forward Todd Fiddler. Both new players are 18.

“Quite simply we needed to strengthen our goaltending,” Spokane general manager Tim Speltz said. “And we needed to change the team. There wasn’t any question about that.”

Bardaro, who opened the season with a nine-game point streak, had 18 goals and 19 assists for 37 in 29 games. He was scratched just before the Chiefs took the Ice against Kelowna Tuesday night in their return from the traditional Western Hockey League Christmas break.

The 19-year-old center from Delta, British Columbia, had 24 goals and 22 assists last year as the Chiefs made a run to the Western Conference finals.

Lee-Knight, 18, appeared in nine games as a backup to Mac Engel. He posted a 2-0-1-1 record with a 2.91 goals against average and .868 saves percent.

Williams played against the Chiefs earlier this season, losing 3-2 in overtime. He is 8-15-1-2 with one shutout and a 3.86 GAA and .884 saves percent. PA is 13-22-1-2 and in last place in the Eastern Division.

He was a fourth-round pick in the 2008 Bantam draft. He was 17-17-1-1 with a 3.71 GGA and .898 saves percent last year.

“Eric is a proven starter and with him and Mac we feel we have strengthened our goaltending,” Speltz said.

Fiddler scored 23 goals last season but has struggled this year with just four goals and 10 points in 35 games.

He was a third-round pick of Medicine Hat in 2008 but was traded to PA before last season. He also had 15 assists as a rookie last year for 38 points in 70 games.

“We’re trading a proven scorer in Anthony, but not a guy we were having success with as a proven scorer,” Speltz said. “We felt needed to change things. (Fiddler) hasn’t gotten off the mark. We’re hoping the change will help him.”

Both players are expected to be available when the Chiefs play at Kootenay Friday and Tri-City on Saturday.

However, the Chiefs will be without defenseman Tanner Mort, who rejoined the team and picked up a power-play assist in Tuesday’s 4-1 win at Kelowna. Mort, 18, who had requested a trade last month, injured a shoulder in the third period and is out indefinitely.

“He had some time off before the break,” Spletz said. “During the break we were in constant discussions. Both teams had time to reflect. Moving forward we’re fine, we sure think Tanner can help us.”

Recent stories by Dave Trimmer
Recent stories in Sports
Eight comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • Crusty1 on December 28 at 1:00 p.m.

    Let’s see. You trade off your top scorer and the better of the two goalies PLUS the 5th round draft pick you got for Valcourt earlier this year. You GET an 18 year old forward who is in a year long slump so far this year and the worst goalie in the league (or maybe is not even good enough for the WHL).Well, this will d\save me alot of money not having to buy Playoff Tickets this year and maybe next year too!

  • DonJulio on December 28 at 1:58 p.m.

    1) Engel>Lee-Knight.
    2) Williams the worst goalie in the league? You’ve come to this conclusion based on what? Stats? By that standard you’d also have to admit that Engel has better stats than Lee-Knight. Also, have you seen Victoria’s goaltenders? Did you go to the game in Spokane when Williams was in town?
    3) Valcourt is still on the Chiefs.
    4) Based on your post, I agree, you will probably save money…simply because it seems like you haven’t attended many games yourself this season…in which case why would anyone expect you to start showing up come playoff time?

  • Crusty1 on December 28 at 6:41 p.m.

    DonJulio season ticket holder here. Learn the game before you show your ignorance!

  • Crusty1 on December 28 at 6:42 p.m.

    DonJulio….the I only go on Buck Night fan!

  • DonJulio on December 28 at 8:24 p.m.

    Crusty, dont be a clown.

    1) So Valcourt….on the team or not on the team?
    2) Your opinion on Williams being the worst goalie in the league is based on what?
    3) Your opinion that Lee-Knight is better than Engel is based on what?

  • Crusty1 on December 28 at 9:40 p.m.

    Look at the Webpage of the Prince Albert team and get your facts. Hope they turn on here but they never did anything special for Prince Albert as “the facts” show. And yes,, Luke Lee-Knight IS a better goalie than Mack. Again,, enjoy your “buck nights and cheer sticks”!

  • DonJulio on December 28 at 10:44 p.m.

    So is Valcourt on the team, or no? Its Mac, not “Mack”. 23 goals as a 17 yr old wasn’t a good season?

  • ChiefsFan21 on December 29 at 12:14 a.m.

    chiefs dropped another big turd around trade deadline.2 years of crap player choices and it looks to be aiming for 3 in a row.

You must be logged in to post comments.
Please create a profile or log in here.