The Spokane Chiefs don't have to catch the Everett Silvertips, who occupy the top spot in the U.S. Division and the Western Conference of the Western Hockey League, in order to achieve their ultimate goal this season.
Over the past few seasons, every move Spokane Chiefs general manager Matt Bardsley has made has been in preparation for acquiring high-scoring winger Andrew Cristall – if not Cristall himself, then someone of that caliber.
The Spokane Chiefs were enjoying a very good offensive season before the blockbuster trade that netted forward Andrew Cristall from Kelowna last week. But with the Washington Capitals draft pick added to the lineup, the team is firing on all cylinders.
KELOWNA, B.C. – Andrew Cristall scored a lot of goals in his time with the Kelowna Rockets. On Wednesday, in his first game against his former teammates, he got his first against the Rockets. And his second.
EVERETT – The Spokane Chiefs scored twice in the span of 32 seconds at the start of the season period – but not again – and the Everett Silvertips extended their U.S. Division lead in the Western Hockey League with a 4-2 win at Angel of the Winds Arena on Friday.
On Wednesday, the Spokane Chiefs made a blockbuster deal for one of the most dynamic players in the Western Hockey League. It’s a strong signal that they are “all-in” in their pursuit of a WHL title and to earn a berth in this year’s Memorial Cup. It may not take the sting out of losing their bid to host the 2026 Cup, but winning cures a lot of ills.
The Spokane Chiefs on Wednesday acquired 2005-born forward Andrew Cristall from the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for 2007-born forward Hayden Paupanekis, a first- and third-round pick in 2025, a second- and sixth-round pick in 2026, and a first-round pick in 2027.
Coco Armstrong has had a disappointing couple of hockey seasons, dealing with multiple injuries and a position change. If his efforts the past two nights are any indication, the 18-year-old from West Vancouver, BC, may be turning a corner.
The Spokane Chiefs entered their first home game of the new year with a seriously depleted lineup, missing several veteran players and a good chunk of their scoring offense due to illness, injury and other obligations.
