The wait is almost over
We are just days away from the season we have all been spending over a year waiting for.
At the conclusion of the ’19-’20 season, the Spokane Chiefs found themselves in the top ten of all teams in the Canadian Hockey League last season and know they can do better. In the Western Hockey League’s US Division, the Chiefs finished third overall and are looking to prove their dominance over the season’s 24 games.
The Chiefs are scheduled to open their season Friday, March 19, in Kent, WA against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Their first home appearance will be the following Friday, March 26, also against Seattle.
Adam Beckman, the reigning WHL top scorer, will look to reclaim his title this season. With some competition and incredible goaltenders in the US Division, Beckman will be proving just what he is made of as the season progresses.
The Chiefs finished last season with a 41-18-4-1 record, good for third in the division and fourth in the WHL. 87 points. Ended the season on a 10-game winning streak leading into the winning—4th in the WHL in goals scored with 258 and eighth in goals against with 179.
Imports
Spokane will not carry any import players on their roster this season.
Filip Král, a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, has remained in the Czech2 league following his overage WHL season last year.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ 2020 CHL Import Draft pick, David Jiricek is remaining in the Czech league playing for HC Plzen
Last season’s starting goaltender, Lukas Parik, will not be returning to Spokane for the start of the season. He is on loan to the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL through the end of their season, expected to conclude mid-April.
Leadership group announced
Eli Zummack has been named the 33rd captain of the Spokane Chiefs following last season’s captain, Ty Smith. Zummack was a trade acquisition by the Chiefs from the Red Deer Rebels back in January 2016. He spent some time wearing the ‘C’ last season, while Ty Smith was at the 2020 World Junior Championships.
Alternate captains this season will be Adam Beckman, Jack Finley, Cordel Larson, and Matt Leduc.
Back from AHL action
Jack Finley finds himself returning to the Chiefs from his two-game stint with the Syracuse Crunch.
Adam Beckman is also returning to Spokane following seven games with the Iowa Wild this season where he contributed three goals and an assist.
Returning on the roster
Forwards:
Erik Atchison, Cordel Larson, Brandon Reller, Reed Jacobson, Jack Finley, Owen MacNeil, Eli Zummack, and Adam Beckman
Defensemen:
Matt Leduc, Chase Friedt-Mohr, Jordan Chudley, Mac Gross, Graham Sward, Bobby Russell, and Raegan Wiles
Goaltender:
Campbell Arnold
Rookies on the roster
Forwards:
Ty Cheveldayoff, Grady Lane, Blake Swetlikoff, Copeland Fricker, and Ben Thornton
Defenseman:
Logan Cunningham
Goaltenders:
Mason Beaupit and Manny Panghli
Guarding the Goal
Expected to be taking over as the starter in net is Campbell Arnold. Posting a 2.59 goals-against average, along with a .902 sv% and a shutout, Arnold appeared in 22 games for the Chiefs.
Rookie goaltender Manny Panghli has participated in seven games for Okanagan Hockey Academy’s U17 Prep Black team this season. He has posted a 1.31 GAA and a .940 sv% so far.
Other news
Of the 24 games the Chiefs have scheduled, 16 will be broadcast on live TV through SWX. They will also be available via radio on 103.5 FM The Game or 94.1 FM The Bear depending on whether there is conflicting scheduling.
