Chiefs looking forward to reversing fortunes
The Spokane Chiefs hockey team officially hits the ice on Friday, when the team’s three-day training camp opens at the Spokane Arena. But it’s already been an unofficial “boot camp” for about 10 players so far this week.
A group of returning leaders, most with freshly shaven heads, met with the media on Tuesday at the Western Hockey League team’s annual meet-and-greet day. New coach Bill Peters also took time to work the room.
However, after all the formalities were done, the players and their coach made one thing clear: there is a new attitude on this team.
Those coming back don’t want a repeat of last year’s non-playoff season; the hunger is apparent in their eyes. That’s why they’ve been working out together for the past couple of days, in advance of Thursday’s report date.
It’s also clear that the pall which hung over the Chiefs for most of last season has lifted, at least for now. Training camp is a time for optimism – and Spokane has nowhere to go but up after a poor season which led to the firing of coach Al Conroy and the hiring of Peters.
“I think it’s a change in atmosphere; and change is good,” said returning goalie Jim Watt, 19. “… I just think a change in atmosphere is always good. You just gotta move on sometimes.”
Some players will be moving on soon.
Peters and the Chiefs front office will welcome 75-80 players on Thursday, split them into four squads, play two days’ worth of intrasquad games on Friday and Saturday, then hand out roster spots in Sunday’s Red-White scrimmage to the best of the best. The rest will go home or on to another WHL team, possibly including some veterans.
That’s possible because the Chiefs return 21 eligible players and will carry only a few more than that during the season. Peters says some younger players have a good shot at making the squad, so the math would indicate the possible departure of some veterans.
“It’s going to be very competitive,” said Peters, “and the guys who’ve had a good off-season and come into the camp with the right mindset, and realize they have to earn a job and compete consistently… those are the guys that are going to end up playing on a nightly basis.
“Spots are definitely open, for sure, and we need to inject some youth into our lineup. So, some of the ‘88s (1988s, 17-year-olds) that didn’t make it last year, there’s some legitimate opportunity for them to make it. We’re probably going to have two or three ‘89s in our lineup, too, so there’s openings for sure. We’ve just got to get them out on the ice.”
Returning leading scorer Chad Klassen, one of the top candidates for team captain, thinks the veterans’ desire to reverse last season’s results – along with the infusion of new blood from the younger players – is a combination that will breed success.
“I think it will be good,” said Klassen, 20, one of three of the Chiefs’ overage players. “It’s just going to be a battle for those last couple spots. Those young guys are going to have to work hard to see who can prove themselves. It will be interesting to see what happens.”