Hockey has tradition

A rebuttal to Jeff Eisner’s contention about Chiefs hockey tryouts taking precedence over Spokane Shock practice (Letters, Dec. 10, “Point of contention”).

Here are a few historical facts about hockey and Spokane:

1906: Spokane Amateur Athletic Club formed first hockey team and played in first outdoor artificial ice rink in Spokane. Only one other such rink existed in the U.S.

1938: Gonzaga Bulldogs win Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey title.

1949: Spokane Flyers win U.S. Amateur Hockey Championship.

1954: Spokane Coliseum on cover of Life magazine dubbed, “state-of-the-art facility.”

1962: Spokane Comets are first U.S. team to win Canada’s Allan Cup.

1970-1980s: Jets and Chiefs are the teams of these decades.

1990: Chiefs win Memorial Cup.

‘90s to current: Chiefs continue to be in a developmental league for the NHL and (provide) fun family entertainment.

Hockey has been a part of Spokane culture for more than 100 years; arenafootball2, one season. Actually, thinking af2 means more to Spokane than hockey, that’s priceless.

Want more interesting facts, take a look at Paul Delaney’s book, “Saturday Nights Were Special: A History of Hockey in Spokane” at www.spokanehockeybook.com.

My question for Eisner: Is af2 even “football?”

Larry Gardner

Deer Park