Chilliwack grabs Stoesz

Spokane Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz had a simple strategy in preparing for Friday’s Western Hockey League expansion draft.

Speltz said he would protect his 15 best draft-eligible players – regardless of other intangible factors. Speltz did that and the Chilliwack Bruins ended up with veteran toughman Myles Stoesz.

Stoesz, a 19-year-old forward, was maybe the most popular player among Spokane’s fans during his three years.

On the ice, his willingness to drop the gloves with anyone in the WHL earned him the admiration of Chiefs fans. It also earned him the ire of the Chiefs coaching staff and front office, especially over the past season.

Stoesz was highly popular in the community and was selected as the team’s humanitarian award winner this past season.

Reached at home in Manitoba, Stoesz was ambivalent.

“I have a lot of mixed feelings right now,” he said. “I’m a little excited and kind of sad at the same time. It’s a fresh start, especially after last season.”

Stoesz piled up 631 penalty minutes during his tenure in Spokane. The 2005 draft pick of the National Hockey League’s Atlanta Thrashers just signed a qualifying offer contract with the team and will go to camp.

“I can’t thank the Spokane fans enough,” Stoesz said. “I’ve made lifelong friends there.”

The Bruins also got ex-Chiefs goalie Jim Watt, who was sent to Chilliwack by Saskatoon.