Chiefs trade goalie Lasse Petersen for draft pick

The Spokane Chiefs have traded backup goalie Lasse Petersen to the Everett Silvertips in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, the team announced on Monday.

Petersen, a 6-foot-2, 173-pound 19-year-old from Swan River, Manitoba, was acquired by the Chiefs last November. He appeared in 18 regular games and had an .894 save percentage with two shutouts, including a 3-0 win over his new team, the Silvertips, on Nov. 11.

“With our goaltending numbers heading into next season, including the acquisition of 20-year-old Jayden Sittler and the continued development of prospects Matt Berlin and Donovan Buskey, this is a move we felt was necessary for our club,” Chiefs’ general manager Tim Speltz said in a release.

Goaltender Tyson Verhelst started most of the season, 55 games, and posted a saves percentage of .892 with one shutout. But Petersen manned the net for all six of the Chiefs’ playoff games because Verhelst was hurt.

“We’d like to thank Lasse for his contributions to our organization and wish him the best in Everett,” Speltz said.

The Chiefs’ first games is Sept. 24 on the road against the Tri-City Americans. The team then opens its 36-game home schedule on Oct. 1 also against the Americans.