This first day of fall camp for the Spokane Chiefs is a time brimming with hope. Read story

Ty Smith, the top selection in last May's Western Hockey League bantam draft, entered his first Chiefs camp with clear goals.

 

"Just go out there and play my game," Smith said. "The biggest thing here is to enjoy it, go out there and work my hardest and just kind of get to meet some guys here and have a good time. ... Continuously keep my compete level high and work on all areas of my game. Obviously, get bigger and stronger. Everybody wants to do that. Continue working on the mental side, too, and growing as a person."

 

Coach Don Nachbaur knows the younger players face an adjustment.

 

"With the young guys, this is just a great experience for them playing at this level," Nachbaur said. "The pace is going to be a lot quicker. It's a bigger, stronger game and I think it's just a great learning experience for them, just to be here."

 

The younger players are encouraged to give it their all.

 

"Obviously, with your older guys, you're very interested in what kind of summers they've had," GM Tim Speltz said. ... "We have some young guys here who I think are going to push for spots this year. We want to see those guys show us that they're ready to play."

 

 

 

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