Chiefs notebook: Rutherford returns to ice
The highly-anticipated return of David Rutherford to the Spokane Chiefs lineup has arrived.
The overage forward, who has been sidelined with a groin injury for a majority of the Western Hockey League season, will join Ryan Letts and Seth Compton on the Chiefs’ fourth line tonight when Spokane hosts the Chilliwack Bruins at the Arena.
Rutherford is the leading returning goal scorer from last year’s team (he was second overall) with 31 goals and 58 points. In four games this season, Rutherford has three goals and two assists.
“The thing we have to do with (Rutherford) is be patient,” said Peters. “He’s not going to be in midseason form and have great timing right away, everything is going to be new for the first couple of games, and it would be with anybody.
“That said, with him, I anticipate it happening real quick.”
Of course, room in the lineup for Rutherford had to be made.
Spokane traded left-winger Cody Esposito to the Red Deer Rebels on Monday in exchange for forward Luke Betts.
“With the return of David Rutherford to our lineup we have a log jam at the forward position,” said Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz. “Red Deer was looking for a player like Cody and it will be a good opportunity for him.”
The obvious question is: if there was a log jam at forward, why trade for another one?
With young guys like Levko Koper and Johnson producing, the Chiefs were looking for what Peters feels Betts can offer.
“He has the ability to be a penalty killer for us,” said Peters. “It’s a little bit of fine tuning, changing our look a little bit and giving a guy (Esposito) who deserves it a better opportunity.”
With Rutherford and rookie forward Dustin Donaghy’s extended injuries and a couple of suspensions on right-winger Curtis Kelner, another forward maintains the depth that has made Spokane such a success to this point.
“It’s tough to manage,” Peters said. “When we stay healthy there will be tough lineup decisions, but it always seems to work itself out.”
Betts, 18, played 22 games last season as a rookie with the Rebels, scored two goals, three points and registered 42 penalty minutes. In 17 games this season, the Maple Ridge, British Columbia native has scored twice and assisted on two.
Bowman earns CHL honor
The accolades keep rolling in for Drayson Bowman.
The Chiefs’ leading scorer was named the Canadian Hockey League’s Player of the Week one day after he earned the same award in the WHL.
He scored six goals and had two assists for eight points in three games last week and has 18 goals and 34 points this year.
High-stakes week
The Chiefs play two games this week, hosting Chilliwack tonight and traveling to Tri-City on Saturday.
The Bruins and Americans are responsible for three of the Chiefs’ six losses this season – in overtime and a shootout to the Americans and 5-3 in Chilliwack on Oct. 8.
“It’s kind of something we want to get back – we were frustrated early on by the loss at Chilliwack,” said Chiefs captain Chris Bruton.
The Chiefs (17-3-1-2) and Americans (17-5-0-0) will meet on Saturday as the top two teams in the U.S. Division. The game will be televised on Comcast channel 12.
Reid released
Fans wondering how long the Chiefs would keep three goalies on the roster got their answer when rookie James Reid was released on Monday.
Reid, awaiting reassignment, didn’t play in any of the 23 games this season and remains on the protected player list.
“Both (Kevin Armstrong and Dustin Tokarski) have elevated their games this year and now their challenge is to stay mature and stay focused and continue to play at the high level they have,” said Peters.