When Stars Come Out, Five Chiefs Will Be Among Them
Five Spokane Chiefs, including team scoring leader John Cirjak, were named Friday to the 20-man Western Hockey League West Division all-star team.
The all-star game - officially the Cavanaugh’s WHL All-Star Game presented by G&B Select-A-Seat and Air BC - is scheduled for Wednesday night, Jan. 22, at the Arena.
Cirjak, who leads the Chiefs in scoring with 21 goals and 29 assists, is almost certain to play a part in what should be an impressive West power play. Cirjak leads Spokane with 12 power-play goals.
The coaches are Brent Peterson of Portland and Spokane’s Mike Babcock.
The Chiefs are also represented by defenseman Hugh Hamilton, center Trent Whitfield, center Derek Schutz and left wing Greg Leeb.
Schutz and center Patrick Marleau of Seattle are the only 17-year-olds on the squad.
Tri-City will send defenseman Zenith Komarniski and goaltender Brian Boucher.
Goaltender Randy Petruk and center Donnie Kinney were selected from the Kamloops Blazers.
Division-leading Portland will also send five players, including center Todd Robinson, the WHL scoring leader and the league’s player of the month for November.
Other Portland all-stars are defensemen Joey Tetarenko and Andrew Ference, and left wingers Brad Isbister and Brendan Morrow.
Former Spokane center Martin Cerven heads a four-man contingent from Seattle that also includes Marleau, right wing Tyler Willis and defenseman Randy Perry.
The Kelowna Rockets are represented by center Scott King.
Defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski is the lone Prince George Cougar.
Players from the combined East/Central Division will be named Tuesday.
Tickets for the game remain in all price ranges.
Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz had one of three votes that determined the team.
“These guys are in a lot of games where they’re trying to finish checks and play physical,” Speltz said. “This is more of a skills game where guys are making moves with a lot of rushes and end-to-end action.
“I feel a little sorry for the goalies,” Speltz added. “There’ll be a lot more offensive opportunity. At the same time, it’ll be very entertaining.”
, DataTimes