Johnson named Chiefs’ captain

Tyler Johnson, a Spokane native, was named captain of the Spokane Chiefs on Wednesday. Fellow 20-year old Levko Koper is an alternate - he was the captain in the season opener when Johnson was sidelined with an injury.

The other two A’s are going to rotate on a game-by-game basis.

This might be the final signal that last year’s captain, defenseman Jared Cowen, won’t be returning. The 2009 No. 1 draft pick of Ottawa is in the Senators’ camp battling for a roster spot. The only option for Cowen,19, is Ottawa or Spokane, with the Senators having to make the decision before the 10th regular-season game.