Chiefs Leaving Eagles For New Valley Practice Facility
The Spokane Chiefs will move into new alternate practice digs by November, ending an association with Eagles Ice-A-Rena that is as old as the fanchise.
The Western Hockey League club will relocate to Ice World, near Liberty Lake in the Spokane Valley, general manager Tim Speltz said Tuesday.
The Chiefs will use that facility for practices when the ice is out in the Arena, and for preseason games.
They retain, of course, the Arena as their permanent home.
The new ice sheets were built by a group that includes former NFL star quarterback Mark Rypien.
“Mark and his group have been excellent in coming on with a real partnership,” Speltz said.“They are a major sponsor of the Chiefs. And we’re looking forward to a good partnership in that ice facility.”
It’s the second defection from Eagles. The Spokane Braves will play at Planet Ice, another new facility in the Valley.
Speltz complimented the management of the Eagles facility. “They have their niche (with public skating, minor and rec hockey),” he said. “They have a good clientele.
“There’s a certain attraction to a new building but the biggest factor is we’ll have a permanent dressing facility. When we practice on back-to-back days we’ll leave our stuff there. Our guys won’t have to haul their equipment out there.”
Notes
The Chiefs made one roster move over the weekend. Center Jeremy Richardson, 17, is back home in Edmonton. Although he’s out of the picture this year he remains on the 50-player protected list, although the Chiefs have to decide if they want to continue to use one of their 50 slots on a player who next year would come in as an 18-year-old rookie. … Chiefs center Brandin Cote, an undrafted free agent, has been promoted from rookie camp to pro camp with the Detroit Red Wings. … Skating instructor Berkley Villard worked Tuesday’s practice in the Arena, singling out a half-dozen players for attention. Kurt Sauer, Shawn Thompson and Russ Rypien, among others, skated laps while dragging a small, blue parachute that was attached to their backs. … Midway through their second week of practice, the Chiefs brass is looking for improved efforts from a couple of second- and third-year players, among them defenseman David Boychuk, center Mason Wallin and left winger Tim Krymusa, particularly in adjusting to expanded roles. None of the three sparkled in training camp, or in one-goal losses over the weekend to Portland and Kootenay. “There should be no sense of accomplishment - no laurels to rest on - from last year’s performances,” Speltz said. It’s too early to start worrying but “the reality is they aren’t playing as well as they have to. That’s why we have training camp.” … Ben Nelson, the Shadle Park High School sophomore, will return to the Spokane Braves for another season of Junior B hockey. But he practiced again Tuesday with the Chiefs, a sign of how highly the WHL club regards his potential. … Roman Tverdon left for the Washington Caps’ camp this week. The Chiefs’ quick Slovakian import is due back a week from Thursday, in time for the annual Tri-City Americans preseason tournament Sept. 17-19. With Daniel Bohac, Lynn Loyns and Kyle Rossiter also expected in by then, the Chiefs hope to have all their veterans in uniform for their final three tuneup games in Tri-City. … Left wing Ryan Thorpe is due back from Vancouver’s camp this weekend… . Although nothing is official with the Canucks just getting started in camp in Kamloops, indications are that former Chiefs defenseman Zenith Komarniski will skate with Vancouver in its preseason opener here with the San Jose Sharks… . At last count, 5,000 tickets had been sold for that Sunday night exhibition game in the Arena… . . The Chiefs put individual game tickets on sale this week… . Defenseman Jeremy Farr (hip) took part in only half of Tuesday’s practice… . Defenseman Chris Barr (shoulder) also left early.