Five months later, Chiefs barely resemble team that began season

When the Spokane Chiefs take the ice on Saturday night against Kootenay at the Arena, casual fans may need a program in front of them to identify their team.

Of course, so might some of the players. That’s because the Chiefs’ roster has undergone a major overhaul since the beginning of the Western Hockey League season in September.

Roughly one-third of the team from the season opener has moved on to other locales. The activity ended last week at the WHL trade deadline with a six-player deal between Spokane and Saskatoon.

In the trade, Spokane got back a top-line defenseman in Evan Haw and a starting goalie in Kevin Armstrong. With the team’s hectic game schedule, Haw has practiced only a couple of times with his new team and Armstrong played two games before leaving for the National Hockey League’s Top Prospects Game in Ottawa.

“It’ll be nice to get ‘Army’ into a routine,” said Chiefs coach Bill Peters, who was on his way to the airport to pick up Armstrong on Thursday afternoon.

Teammate Michael Grabner was also in Ottawa for the NHL draft showcase event and both players missed the Chiefs’ past two games – losses that extended Spokane’s winless streak to six.

So, the short-handed Chiefs should get back most of their key parts on Saturday night, right? Well, maybe not.

Forward J.P. Szaskiewicz returned from a shoulder injury this week, but defenseman Dan Mercer continues to be out with a groin injury. Captain Jeff Lynch, who missed a month with a knee injury, suffered a shoulder injury against Seattle on Wednesday and is out again. Also, Myles Stoesz is being treated for a hand injury.

The Chiefs, who are carrying only 23 players, may suit up just 20 against the Ice (11 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goalies). Peters says the key is that all of them fully contribute.

“All we can do is continue working as hard as we did on Monday and Wednesday (one-goal road losses to Portland and Seattle),” said Peters. “What we can’t have is what we had in the previous two games (three-goal losses to Tri-City on Friday and Saturday).”

In the past two games, Peters said he was impressed by the way the team’s newest leaders – players such as Adam Hobson and Derek Ryan – have stepped up their games.

“That’s what we’re looking for – that energy level out of everybody,” said Peters. “We need to have the desire to do what it takes to win games. How many one-goal losses have we had? One play sometimes decides a game – and it’s not always in the third period.”

Peters said he’s been impressed by Haw, 19, since he jumped into the lineup last weekend. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, he’s a physical presence who can also score. He has a goal and two assists in his last two games.

“The last two games, he’s been outstanding,” said Peters. “He’s been a real good addition.”