Spokane Chiefs Draft Overview
-For me Spokane drafted one of the most interesting draft groups this year. They really took players who had the tools but weren’t well polished, in my opinion. Starting right at the top with their sixth pick in Jack Finley. A guy who has been up and down my draft list all season. I think even more interesting was the fact that they did not take a player playing in Alberta, one of the only teams I have seen do this. In their 11 picks, they took two Americans and only one goalie, which came in the early second round.
First round selection
–Jack Finley (6th Overall) – A fairly raw offensive prospect who has good physical tools and the ability to find ice for himself in the offensive zone. For me this was the first off-the-board pick but Finley has some real solid tools that allow this pick to make sense. He’s got great size at six-foot-three and a lethal shot that makes him dangerous from anywhere when the puck is on his stick. I think he has that top-six potential but would really need to see his development next season for this to be a lock.
Notable selections
Campbell Arnold (28th Overall) – A goalie DraftGeek was really impressed with going into the draft. On many nights he would face over 50 shots and still put up great numbers. He isn’t the biggest netminder but he takes up a lot of the net and moves well in his crease. Arnold really focuses on his angles and stopping the puck. We believe he could be a starter at the WHL level someday.
Zac Robins (80th Overall) – A guy who really rose up our rankings at the SaskFirst tournament in April. He is a fluid skating two-way defender who plays an intelligent game on both ends of the ice. He has the intangibles, vision, poise, and offensive tools to make an impact at the next level. I was personally high on Robins coming into the draft. Spokane got a good one in a guy who we think will be a top-four defender at the WHL level.
Reed Jacobson (115th Overall) – Jacobson was at one point a top-two round prospect, who struggled at the end of the year. He plays a two-way game, good awareness in all three zones and loves to support the play. His playmaking abilities take over when he has the puck. He has good strength and vision. I think he could man a versatile third line role someday at the WHL level.
Kurt Hoogendorn (179th Overall) – A heavy two-way defender with a big frame and a fluid skating style. He has a strong transitional game and the ability to contain in one-on-one situations. I was surprised to see him drop this far so Spokane got a steal here as he could become a WHL player someday.
Conclusion
All in all, this class shows good depth and a bunch of guys who should make an impact in the WHL. They took a lot of raw prospects and so may be lacking 16-year-olds that can play at the WHL level in 2018-19. However, these players should add to a strong team when these players hit their late teens. I was a big fan of the defenders they took as they ended up with a really good versatile crop there. Their forwards are all of different dimensions and each bring a little something different.
