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Spokane Chiefs forward Holmberg tabbed for Team WHL

Chiefs forward Mitch Holmberg is third in the Western Hockey League with 22 points and second with 11 goals. (FILE)
By Jess Brown

Things have gone incredibly well for Spokane Chiefs forward Mitch Holmberg this season, and Thursday’s announcement was what you might call a reward for his efforts.

Holmberg, 19, was picked to play for Team WHL in the annual Super Series, announced Thursday. 

The Super Series pits regional Canadian Hockey League all-stars against the Russian national junior team in a six-game event.

The first two games are hosted by teams from the Quebec Major Hockey League, the middle set by teams from the Ontario Hockey League, and the final two games by Western Hockey League teams, which this year are Vancouver and Victoria.

Chiefs coach Don Nachbaur will serve as head coach for Team WHL on Nov. 14 in Vancouver and on Nov. 15 in Victoria. Holmberg will play on Nov. 14.

Holmberg, Spokane’s leading scorer, is tied for third in the league in scoring with 22 points, and second with 11 goals.

The Super Series is also a part of the identification process for Team Canada prior to the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Nachbaur was previously named an assistant for Canada’s World Junior Team, which begins in late December.

Also competing for Team WHL in the Super Series are five defensemen who were chosen in the top eight of last year’s NHL draft: Ryan Murray, Everett; Griffin Reinhart, Edmonton; Morgan Rielly, Moose Jaw; Mathew Dumba, Red Deer; and Derrick Pouliot, Portland.

Two more for the road

The Chiefs (9-4-0-0) are second in the U.S. Division standings with 18 points. Before they return home for six games, they’ll play two division rivals on the road.

Tonight, for the first time this season, they’ll face the Everett Silvertips (5-7-0-1, 11 points). They’ll head to Kennewick on Saturday to play the Tri-City Americans for the third time this season – and possibly take over first place in the division.

The Chiefs are 2-0 this season against the Ams (9-3-1-1), who are in first in the division with 20 points.

Ice chips

Chiefs goalie Eric Williams is tied for third in the league in wins (seven) with a 2.92 goals-against average. … With three goals and a pair of assists in 10 games, forward Adam Helewka is the leading scorer among Spokane’s rookies.