It’s good to be wanted

Sometimes just being wanted is enough.

At least that’s the case for two Spokane Chiefs, who left this week for free-agent-rookie camps with National Hockey League teams.

Defenseman Gary Gladue and forward Jevon Desautels are happy just to be attending camps with Vancouver and Detroit, respectively, the for next four weeks.

Spokane defenseman Scott Lynch, 20, will also be in Detroit as a free agent. Chiefs forward Ned Lukacevic, 18, is off to camp with the Los Angeles Kings as their fourth-round draft pick this summer.

Brad Schell, a 20-year-old Atlanta prospect and the Chiefs’ leading scorer last season, didn’t even come to training camp in Spokane. He is likely headed for the pro minor leagues.

Gladue and Desautels, each 20, would be two of the Chiefs’ three over-age players if they return. Each would be natural leaders on a team looking to improve on its fourth-place finish in the U.S. Division last season. Both are relatively quiet but steady players who always seem to be in the right spot.

Gladue came to the Chiefs last season from Calgary in a trade for Jeff Lucky. Gladue, 6-foot, 170 pounds, is known for his smooth skating and keen instincts on the ice. Desautels, at 6-3 and 210 pounds, is an imposing physical presence known for his good work along the boards.

Both plan to make the most of their shots in the camps, which start Thursday and run through Oct. 16.

In Gladue’s case, getting an invitation to camp was a pleasant surprise and a just reward for a season of hard work in British Columbia.

Gladue worked out all summer in Port Coquitlam, east of Vancouver, and spent the last two weeks of August training with Lynch and others at the elite Twist Conditioning in the Vancouver suburb of Burnaby, B.C. Proprietor Peter Twist is the former strength and conditioning coach of the Vancouver Canucks, the team that gave Gladue a call in late August.

“I didn’t really find out until later in the summer, so it really picked my summer up,” said Gladue. “I was a lot happier coming into (the Chiefs’) camp and knowing that I’ll be going to a pro camp.”

What makes Gladue’s invitation even more impressive is the fact he doesn’t have an agent and is an undrafted free agent.

“You don’t have an agent out there, trying to get you into camp and you’re not really wanted out there,” said Gladue. “Then you’re out there working for it and you know that they want you there, so it’s a lot better.”

Desautels’ path has differed. He had been property of the Washington Capitals for the past two years after being drafted in fourth round in 2002 and went to their camp each year. But he became a free agent this summer when he wasn’t re-signed by the team. He has an agent, but it was Detroit that sought out Desautels.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Desautels. “Anytime you get an opportunity to go to a pro camp, it’s like the first part of your dream come true.”

Still, having not stuck with Washington gives Desautels plenty of motivation to impress the Red Wings.

“It was an eye-opener,” said Desautels. “I really wanted to sign with Washington and stay with that club. So, I wanted to make sure that the next time when I did have an opportunity, I was gonna take full advantage of it.”

So, this summer he adhered to a training regimen set up by Chiefs’ trainer Darcy Bishop. Desautels is ready to show Detroit what he consistently does for Spokane.

“I go out and I’m a power forward,” said Desautels. “I forecheck hard, work hard and play my game. Nothing’s changed since PeeWees. I know what I have to do.”

Limited by a leg injury, Desautels appeared in 52 games for the Chiefs last season. He had totals of nine goals, 18 assists and 118 penalty minutes.

Gladue played in 68 games for Spokane last year, with totals of seven goals and 28 assists, and a plus-minus rating of minus-3. He said his objectives for Vancouver’s camp are simple.

“My goal for me is just to go there, open their eyes up, and maybe they can take me to the AHL (American Hockey League) camp,” said Gladue. “I just want to go there and work hard, know that I did the best I can, and hopefully they watch me throughout the year and see what happens.”

Ice chips

The Chiefs play the first of two consecutive games with the Seattle Thunderbirds tonight in Kent. Seattle visits Eagles Ice-A-Rena for the Chiefs’ only home exhibition game Sept. 18. … Spokane defenseman Gustav Engman returned this week from a tryout for Sweden’s U-20 national team. … Two goalies remain in camp, looking to back up starter Jim Watt. They are Brandon Tyer, 16, and Kirk Irving, 18… . Also in the Kings camp are former Chiefs G Barry Brust and D Chris Barr.