Last chance Chiefs

For many of the players in today’s 1 p.m. Red-White scrimmage at the Arena it’s their last chance to make an impression that can lead to one of the few spots available on the veteran Spokane Chiefs hockey team.

But for a few it’s kind of a swan song, their only real game for the hometown fans.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be a little pressure on the 15-year-olds who comprised the Chiefs’ selections in the summer Bantam Draft.

“I don’t want (the Chiefs) to be disappointed in their pick. I want to show them they made the right decision,” defenseman Reid Gow said. “I just have to play my game, what they picked me for, play like they want me to.”

Gow and forward Conner Chartier, the second-round pick, are the future because Western Hockey League rules only allow 15-year-olds to play a couple of games.

“Next year will be a lot more pressure,” Chartier said. “This year is just kind of to get used to it, see what it’s all about, see what kind of speed the WHL is and see where I have to be to compete with all these guys.”

Being a high draft choice is a double-edged sword.

“It’s nice to have them all kind of knowing who you are but at the same time it’s nerve-wracking because you have to make sure you can perform and be the best you can be out there,” Chartier said.

All the Spokane preseason games are on the road in preparation for their season opener at Prince George Sept. 18. The home opener is Sept. 26 against Tri-City.