Chiefs release exhibition roster

The Spokane Chiefs announced their roster for the preseason, which gets underway this weekend with three exhibition games in Everett against three of the Western Hockey League rivals. That starts Friday against Portland. They play Tri-City on Saturday and Everett on Sunday. All games begin at 3 p.m.

The lineup is a whopping 35-names long, including rookies, but that is deceiving because of injuries, two 15-years old and players headed to NHL camps. Forward Tyler Johnson is the first to leave, taking off Thursday for Minnesota. Forward Levko Koper goes to Atlanta on Friday. Goalie James Reid heads to Vancouver on Sunday. Forward Mitch Wahl is off to Calgary on Monday.

For the complete roster check the extended entry.

Goalies: Four are listed, but that number drops to three when Reid (1990) leaves. That leaves Alex Wright (‘90-Rookie), C hase Martin (‘92-R) and Brandon Edie (‘93-R) in the battle to be Reid’s backup. Cole Cheveldave (‘93) was sent out after Sunday’s intrasquad game.

Do the Chiefs need two goalies the same age, especially if Reid plays 70-80 percent of the games?

Defense: There are 13 names, but quickly erase Reid Gow (94), who is 15, and Jared Cowen (‘91) and Jared Spurgeon (‘89-Overage). Both are injured but Spurgeon is missing the New York Islanders camp while Cowen is rehabbing in Ottawa.That leaves 10 guys battling for no more than eight spots, which again shrinks when - or if - either Jared returns.

Also, Cory Baldwin (‘91) suffered a broken hand in camp. The remaining D-men are Brett Bartman (‘89), Eddie Friesen (‘90-R), Cole Hamblin (‘93-R), Brenden Kichton (‘92), Garrett Leedahl (‘91-R), Tanner Mort (‘93-R) (who missed the scrimmage with a concussion), Landon Oslanski (‘92-R), Mike Reddington (‘90) and Stefan Ulmber (‘90-Import).

Interesting decisions ahead. Despite a veteran corps, with the Jareds, the Chiefs have to think about the future and working in young guys.

Forwards: There are 18 names but that includes Ryan Letts (‘89-O), who is out indefinitely with an injury. Mix in the three guys headed to NHL camps and another 15-year old, Connor Chartier (‘94) and it’s 13, a decent number to spread out the ice time.

The rest are, Mike Avani (‘93-R), Anthony Bardaro (‘92-R), Mike Bertz (‘92), Brady Brassart (‘93-R), David Conrad (‘91), T.C. Cratsenberg (‘92), Dustin Donaghy (‘89-O), Blake Gal (‘92), Mitch Holmberg (‘93-R), Steve Kuhn (‘92), Matt Marantz (‘92-R), Kenton Miller (‘91) and Dominik Uhler (‘92-I).

The question is whether any veterans are released. Otherwise, after Uher, which rookies stick?