Chris Derrick

The 2013-14 Spokane Chiefs are perfectly capable of duplicating the solid record posted by the 2012-13 Spokane Chiefs. But if they do, it’s not likely to be by the same method.

The 2013-14 Spokane Chiefs are perfectly capable of duplicating the solid record posted by the 2012-13 Spokane Chiefs. But if they do, it’s not likely to be by the same method. The Chiefs finished 44-26-2-0 last season with a team that ranked fifth in the 22-team Western Hockey League with 269 goals scored. But five players who accounted for a big chunk of the offense – Brenden Kichton, Blake Gal, Alessio Bertaggia, Dylan Walchuk and Todd Fiddler – are no longer with the team. That leaves coach Don Nachbaur scanning the roster for potential goal-scorers to support Mitch Holmberg (39 goals last season) and Mike Aviani (30).

A rugby player from Saskatchewan meets a teacher from Wales in the Bahamas. What sounds like the elaborate setup to a joke is actually the beginning of Spokane Chiefs left wing Adam Helewka’s life story.

A rugby player from Saskatchewan meets a teacher from Wales in the Bahamas. What sounds like the elaborate setup to a joke is actually the beginning of Spokane Chiefs left wing Adam Helewka’s life story.

The Western Hockey League’s U.S. Division should provide an interesting race this season. Interesting, that is, for places two through five.

Preseason games may not count, but that doesn’t mean Spokane Chiefs coach Don Nachbaur ignores the numbers.

Gary Redding fondly recalls running around the old Spokane Coliseum as a young boy, following the progress of the junior hockey team his father founded. “Who would have thought, 40 years later, that I’d be involved with the team, and helping to keep it solid in any way I can?” Redding said.

Elaina Renius doesn’t agonize over the question of how she intends to continue what’s been called the “Mead Mystique.” Renius and her players welcome the challenge.