First-round draft pick Luke Toporowski signs player agreement with Spokane Chiefs

Forward Luke Toporowski, chosen eighth overall in the Western Hockey League’s Bantam Draft, signed a Standard Player Agreement and committed to playing for the Spokane Chiefs, the team announced Friday.

Toporowski, 5-foot-10 and 163 pounds, of Bettendorf, Iowa, was the first American-born player selected in the bantam draft since 2009.

He is the younger brother of current Chiefs defenseman Jake Toporowski and the son of Kerry Toporowski, the franchise’s all-time leader in penalty minutes.

“I’m very proud to officially be a Spokane Chief,” Toporowski said. “Signing with the Chiefs is a dream come true and I can’t wait to get to camp in August.”

“We’re very excited to have Luke sign his player agreement and commit to joining our team,” Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz said. “We expect Luke to be a key contributor for our team in the future and this is the first of many steps in that process.”