TVrdon Makes Swift Impression On Chiefs
The first week of summer practice is barely noticed in the expanse of a hockey season that runs into next spring.
But even a cursory glance at the Spokane Chiefs’ new import player - Slovakian center Roman Tvrdon- suggests that the 18-year-old is among the swiftest skaters on the club, and in the league.
“The impressive thing is his acceleration,” personnel director Ray Dudra said Tuesday as the Chiefs went through another long afternoon workout at the Arena. “Two steps and he’s flying.”
Tverdon makes his debut Friday night in Kimberley, British Columbia, when Spokane swings into its preseason schedule with the Portland Winter Hawks.
It’s unlikely he’ll be in uniform for Sunday night’s home exhibition opener at Eagles, where the Chiefs meet the Kootenay Ice at 6.
“He goes to pro camp (with the Washington Caps) on Monday,” Chiefs general manger Tim Speltz explained. “Sometimes a player in a situation like that, who’s focused on pro camp, doesn’t get a lot out of a Sunday night preseason game.”
Sunday night’s game is the Chiefs’ only preseason date in Spokane. The Chiefs open the regular season here with Tri-City on Sept. 25.
Notes
Newcomer Kurt Sauer, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound defenseman from Sartell, Minn., is a decent skater who’ll take the body. Chiefs brass say the 18-year-old will be a popular addition, both with fans and his linemates. … From the Plenty of Good Seats Available Dept: Fewer than 5,000 tickets have been sold for the Sept. 12 San Jose-Vancouver NHL exhibition in the Arena… . The pleasant surprise of the Chiefs’ opening week? Possibly Shawn Thompson, 19-year-old left wing. He drew compliments this week from GM Tim Speltz. If not Thompson, perhaps forward Tim Smith or defenseman Kris Calloway. … Ex-Chiefs stars Joe Cardarelli, Cam Severson, Kevin Sawyer and Justin Hocking are working out here prior to their training camp assignments. Cardarelli remains in the Tampa Bay system. Sawyer is looking ahead to Springfield, Mass., the American League affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes. Severson will try out with the International League’s Long Beach Ice Dogs. Hocking is in the Toronto organization… . The Chiefs set aside ice time daily for their alums who have turned pro.
Dmitri Leonov showed up in the Arena Wednesday with his new bride. Married in July, Leonov - a 38-goal scorer here in the ‘95-96 season - plays with the same Ice Dogs outfit in Long Beach that Severson aims to join. … T.D. Forss has returned as trainer and strength and conditioning coach after spending last year at Mount Royal College… . Alex Ross, a defenseman from Wenatchee who played last year with the Spokane Braves, was in camp with the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds but was released this week… . . Jonathan Braun, son of Spokane Braves coach and Chiefs scout Gary Braun, is a defenseman with the Billings Bulls in the America West League. … Central Valley High grad and former NHLer Scott Levins worked out with the Tri-City Americans last week, prior to joining Winnipeg of the IHL… . Scott Parker, the Deer Park High grad who grew into a superb major junior player with the Kelowna Rockets, and now skates with the NHL Colorado Avalanche, is one of the investors in Planet Ice in the valley, one of two new ice sheets in the area.
Chiefs season opener vs. Tri-City, Sept. 25