Chiefs gear up for second weekend of WHL preseason action
Just a quick post since I haven't been able to do much on this year's Spokane Chiefs (yet). That ends soon, as I'm starting to transition into season preview mode. We'll have plenty for you next week. The Western Hockey League regular season begins in a few weeks, and preparation for the Sept. 22 opener at Tri-City continues tomorrow (Friday) morning for the Spokane Chiefs.
With 30 players remaining on their preseason roster, the Chiefs take on Everett Friday at 11 a.m., and Tri-City on Saturday at the Americans preseason tournament in Kennewick.
The Chiefs have three goalies, 10 defensemen and 17 forwards remaining on their roster, which includes four 20-year-old players competing for three alloted spots. All teams in the league must be down to three overage players by Oct. 10.
In their first two preseason games last weekend at the Everett Silvertips tournament, the Chiefs went 1-1 in the process of putting their rookies to the test.
Veteran Mitch Holmberg, who will be relied upon for offensive output this season, had a hat trick in Spokane’s 6-3 win over Seattle on Sunday, and 19-year-old Todd Fiddler had a goal and two assists. Fiddler was aqcuired by Spokane last season at the trade deadline, and is one of 19 veterans back in Spokane this season.
ICE CHIPS:
- Spokane’s home opener is on Saturday, Sept. 29 against Tri-City.
- Tickets to individual games for the 2012-13 regular season are on sale at the Chiefs’ office and TicketsWest outlets. Call (509) 535-PUCK (7825) or (800) 325-SEAT (7328) for more information.
- Found this article from the Saskatoon StarPhoenix on former Chiefs defenseman Jared Cowen, a former first-round draft pick now playing for the Ottawa Senators.
- If you're a hockey fan in general, here's a cool story on Montreal's PK Subban, who I actually got to watch as a junior when he played for Belleville (OHL) in the 2008 Memorial Cup against the Spokane Chiefs. Part of the allure of junior hockey is watching future NHL stars in their final days of amateur hockey. The CHL is a special league, if you ask me.