Upcoming Drafts May Leave Chiefs Ice-Bound

The Spokane Chiefs will probably lose two players to the Western Hockey League’s newest team, the Edmonton Ice.

The first is likely to go in the May 23 WHL expansion draft. A second could also wind up in Edmonton in late June, in the WHL overage draft.

The Ice will look closely at players the Chiefs leave unprotected, Edmonton general manager Bob Tory confirmed Tuesday.

“They’ve put together a very good depth chart,” Tory said. “We’re comfortable with the talent we’ll get from Spokane. Their players are well coached. They show up every night. It’s important to have that quality in your dressing room.”

The Chiefs can protect 11 of the 29 players born 1977-79 on their 50-man list, leaving the expansion team to choose one of Spokane’s unprotected 18.

The Ice can select one player per WHL team from that age group.

The Chiefs are allowed to protect three of their nine 1976-born players.

“We expect to lose somebody,” Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz said. “The coaching staff, our head scout Ray Dudra, and I will form an independent list of 11 players, put it together and try to make it work for all parties.”

Speltz wouldn’t speculate as to who’s likely to be subjected to the draft.

As for overagers, the Chiefs may have a logjam of 20-year-olds come September.

Jason Podollan, for one, has signed with the NHL Florida Panthers and will join their organization.

Sean Gillam (Detroit Red Wings) and forward Jan Hrdina (Pittsburgh Penguins) are unsigned but expect to turn pro, their junior careers at an end.

Should Florida keep David Lemanowicz, the Chiefs would be left with five overage players - center Darren Sinclair, right wing Jay Bertsch, defenseman Adam Magarrell, defenseman John Shockey and right wing Randy Favaro.

If Sinclair (Vancouver Canucks) and Lemanowicz remain with their pro teams, the Chiefs would be down to four overage players, one over the WHL maximum.

The Ice, who will play in the WHL Central Division - Swift Current moves to the East - will be allowed five 20-year-olds in their inaugural season.

Numbers aside, the Ice stand to get a sold overage player from Spokane.

The Ice will play in the 3,950-seat Edmonton Agricom.

“We’re looking for character guys who show up and play every night,” Tory said. “Mike Babcock coached those kinds of players in Spokane.”

As for replacements, the Chiefs, who open training camp on Aug. 23, have two incoming 16-year-olds with a shot at making the club, defenseman Kyle Rossiter and center Blake Evans.

, DataTimes