Jeff Bunch

It seems the Tri-City Americans and Spokane Chiefs always seem to find themselves in similar situations. The teams that have battled each other for years – the last two seasons for a playoff spot – meet tonight for the first time this season at Kennewick's Toyota Center.

CRANBROOK, British Columbia – The Spokane Chiefs ended last season with a loss to the Kootenay Ice. Spokane Chiefs center Derek Ryan remembered that defeat and the bitter feeling of last season's struggles.

CRANBROOK, British Columbia – The Spokane Chiefs will take the first step in attempting to bury their recent past: two seasons of missing the playoffs, a coach gone, a general manager under fire. Spokane opens its 72-game Western Hockey League season tonight against the Kootenay Ice. It's just one game in a long season, but every game is potentially critical in an ever-competitive U.S. Division. The Ice will provide a good test.

The much-promised, new-style Western Hockey League play will make its debut this season. The league – which opened play with one game Thursday – will fully implement recent National Hockey League rules changes which began last season in an attempt to open up the game on offense.

There is a buzz around Eagles Ice-A-Rena. The north Spokane facility is more than 30 years old, but the new owners, their employees, and the rink's tenants have bigger smiles on their faces these days. The paint seems a little brighter and the ice a little shinier.

Tri-City Americans general manager Bob Tory played a big card from his hand Thursday. Tory dealt the Western Hockey League team's first-round pick in the 2007 bantam draft to the Lethbridge Hurricanes to acquire two-time WHL all-star Colton Yellowhorn, 19.

As the Spokane Chiefs continue through the Western Hockey League preseason with the Tri-City tournament this weekend, the spotlight will continue to shine on rookies trying to impress the team's coaches and front office. It's true that's the main purpose of preseason play, but it's even more so beginning this week because four veteran Chiefs either have departed, or are in the process of departing, to National Hockey League camps: defensemen Sean Zimmerman and Matt McCue, and forwards Michael Grabner and Adam Hobson.

The Spokane Chiefs showed over the weekend that they have good depth at the goaltending position, something that the Western Hockey League team has lacked in recent years. "We like all of them. That's the great thing," said coach Bill Peters. "I think all of them are capable of playing in the league. They're going to compete against each other and make each other better. That's what you want in athletics is to be pushed, and we've got a really good setup."

Hockey standout Trevor Lewis is signed, sealed – and now delivered – to the Owen Sound Attack of Ontario, and Spokane Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz is livid. Lewis, the 17th overall pick in the National Hockey League draft, has been the subject of intense discussions among the board of governors of the Canadian Hockey League over the past few weeks. The CHL is made up of representatives of Canada's three major junior leagues: the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

It seems Seth Compton is that "bubble" player at almost every Spokane Chiefs training camp. Then, at the end of the day, he is on the opening-day roster for the Western Hockey League team.

On the first day of on-ice scrimmages at the Spokane Chiefs training camp on Friday, the players who looked good included most of those who are supposed to be standouts. Of course, the returning veterans made their presence known. But camp isn't about the team's front office discovering what they can do. It's mostly about the players battling for the final half-dozen spots.

On the first day of on-ice scrimmages at the Spokane Chiefs' training camp on Friday, the players who looked good included most of those who are supposed to be standouts. Of course, the returning veterans made their presence known. But camp isn't about the team's front office discovering what they can do. It's mostly about the players battling for the final half-dozen spots.

If the Spokane Chiefs are to have success this season, team chemistry will be key – on and off the ice. Director of player personnel Chris Moulton said he and his scouting staff are united in their goals of selecting the best players for today's changing Western Hockey League game.

The Lynch Era has officially ended with the Spokane Chiefs. The team confirmed Tuesday what had been rumored on the eve of training camp: Defenseman Jason Lynch won't be back with the Western Hockey League team. The Chiefs are trying to trade him and he'll stay at home until that happens.

As the Spokane Chiefs prepare to begin their Western Hockey League training camp this week, one thing is clear: this is Bill Peters' team. The second-year coach will welcome just under 20 veterans, some notable rookies, and dozens of players who are virtually unknown to him on Thursday at the Spokane Arena. That's an improvement from last year, when he knew only one of them.

One decision down, one to go – maybe. That's where things stand for the Spokane Chiefs just a week before the start of their training camp.

Les Patten was "a gentleman on and off the court," friends and former rivals uniformly stated on Wednesday. Patten, 81, died on Monday at Kootenai Memorial Hospital in Coeur d'Alene after an automobile accident. Patten was a legendary local amateur tennis player. He won a record 14 consecutive city championship titles from 1947-60. He is a member of the Inland Northwest Sports and Whitworth College halls of fame.

It seems nothing comes easy for the Spokane Chiefs. If all works out well for them, they will have a new assistant coach and possibly a top newcomer in the fold when they open their Western Hockey League training camp at the end of this month.

Dan McDougald was a gentle giant who "didn't have an enemy," said numerous friends on Wednesday, one day after the former Spokane hockey player died at age 79 after a long illness. McDougald was a defenseman with the Flyers in the mid-'50s and the Jets in the mid-'60s, then became one of the game's biggest boosters in his adopted hometown when his playing days were over.

There have only been three Spokane Chiefs players drafted in the first round of the National Hockey League entry draft. But if you believe the experts, Michael Grabner may become the fourth on Saturday in Vancouver, British Columbia.

At the end of business today, a current Spokane Chief will become a former one. That's because the Western Hockey League holds its expansion draft for the Chilliwack Bruins franchise and Spokane will only be able to protect 15 of its 30 players eligible to be drafted (birth years 1986-89). One will pack his bags and head north by the weekend.