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Spokane Chiefs facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the current WHL junior hockey team. For the defunct senior hockey team, see Spokane Chiefs (WIHL).
Quick facts for kids
Spokane Chiefs
Spokane Chiefs logo.svg
City Spokane, Washington
League Western Hockey League
Conference Western
Division U.S.
Founded 1985
Home arena Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena
Colors Red, white and blue
              
General manager Matt Bardsley
Head coach Ryan Smith
Championships Ed Chynoweth Cup
2 (1991, 2008)
Conference Championships
1 (2007–08)
Memorial Cup
2 (1991, 2008)
Website
www.spokanechiefs.com
Franchise history
1982–1985 Kelowna Wings
1985–present Spokane Chiefs

The Spokane Chiefs is a major junior ice hockey team based in Spokane, Washington that plays in the Western Hockey League. The team plays its home games at the Spokane Arena. As of 2010, Spokane ranked in the top 10 in the Canadian Hockey League in attendance. The Chiefs won the Memorial Cup in 1991 and 2008. They also hosted the first outdoor hockey game in WHL history on January 15, 2011, at Avista Stadium versus the Kootenay Ice.

History

Chiefs line up
The Chiefs line up for a game with the Tri-City Americans.

The Spokane Chiefs was the name of the hockey team that played in the Western International Hockey League (WIHL) from 1982 to 1985. In their final year, the Chiefs were the regular season champions of the WIHL. The current franchise was granted in 1982 to Kelowna, British Columbia, as the Kelowna Wings. In 1985, the team relocated to Spokane, Washington, and became the Chiefs.

Westernconferencetrophy
The Chiefs won the Western Conference Championship cup in 1991, 1996, 2000 and 2008.

Spokane continued to support the team, consistently averaging 6,000–7,000 fans per game, one of the top figures in the Western and Canadian Hockey Leagues. The Chiefs are also known for a goal celebration often called the 'best in junior hockey.'

Memorial cup drop
The Chiefs lower the Memorial Cup via rope, from the roof of the Spokane Arena on Opening Night 2008. Four months earlier, the Cup broke in the Chiefs hands during the celebration in Kitchener, Ontario.
Banner drop memorial cup
On September 27, 2008, the Chiefs unveiled their WHL and Memorial Cup Championship banners.

The Chiefs and the Portland Winterhawks made history again in the playoffs in 2010, as Portland beat Spokane in the Western Conference quarterfinals, four games to three. It is the only series in Western Hockey League history in which the home team did not win a game.

On May 4, 2010, the Chiefs announced Hardy Sauter's contract was not extended, ending his two-year stint as the team's head coach. Weeks later, former Tri-City coach Don Nachbaur unexpectedly resigned from a coaching position in the AHL and was named the new head coach of the Chiefs hours later.

Outdoor hockey game

SpokaneChiefsOutdoorGame
The Chiefs hosted the Kootenay Ice in the WHL's first-ever outdoor hockey game at Avista Stadium in Spokane. The Chiefs won the game 11–2.

The WHL's first outdoor hockey game was played in Spokane on January 15, 2011, between the Chiefs and the Kootenay Ice. Weather played a critical role in the lead up to the game and on game day itself. Initial forecasts called for arctic temperatures and more than a foot of snow falling on January 15. That changed the week of the game, when a warm Pacific storm went through the northwest and melted nearly a foot of snow already on the ground in Spokane. The temperatures on game day reached 50-degrees and there was no snow. Moments before the puck dropped, the sky turned cloudy and hid the sun allowing for optimal conditions. In the end, the game was played at Avista Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd of 7,075. While they enjoyed the experience, many fans complained about the view from their seats at Avista Stadium. Fans who bought front-row tickets discovered they were eye-level with the side boards, making only the upper-part of the players' bodies visible and making it impossible to see the puck.

Players

Current roster

Updated March 30, 2024.

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Drafted
6 Canada Allan, KadenKaden Allan D L 16 2023 Hamiota, Manitoba Eligible 2026
23 Canada Armstrong, CocoCoco Armstrong RW R 18 2021 West Vancouver, British Columbia Eligible 2024
28 Canada Bertholet, ChaseChase Bertholet RW R 21 2021 The Pas, Manitoba Undrafted
4 Canada Bonni, BenBen Bonni (A) RW L 20 2021 Winnipeg, Manitoba Undrafted
27 Canada Catton, BerklyBerkly Catton (A) C L 18 2021 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Eligible 2024
11 Canada Cheveldayoff, TyTy Cheveldayoff (A) LW L 21 2020 Edmonton, Alberta Undrafted
35 Canada Cowan, DawsonDawson Cowan G L 19 2022 Warren, Manitoba Eligible 2024
3 Canada Crampton, BraydenBrayden Crampton D R 20 2021 Chilliwack, British Columbia Undrafted
13 Sweden Ekström, RasmusRasmus Ekström C R 20 2023 Stockholm, Sweden Undrafted
30 Canada Esler, CarterCarter Esler G R 15 2023 Okotoks, Alberta Eligible 2027
19 Canada Feist, LaytonLayton Feist D L 20 2023 Coldstream, British Columbia Undrafted
15 United States Gillespie, BrodyBrody Gillespie C L 16 2023 Portland, Oregon Eligible 2026
26 Canada Harrington, ChaseChase Harrington LW L 17 2022 Prince George, British Columbia Eligible 2026
16 Czech Republic Kral, LukasLukas Kral LW L 18 2023 Prague, Czech Republic Eligible 2024
21 Canada Martin, OwenOwen Martin C R 17 2022 Oakbank, Manitoba Eligible 2025
5 Canada Mayes, NathanNathan Mayes D L 18 2021 Salmon Arm, British Columbia Eligible 2024
18 Canada McIsaac, WilliamWilliam McIsaac D R 18 2021 Vancouver, British Columbia Eligible 2024
33 Canada Michaluk, CooperCooper Michaluk G L 19 2020 Sherwood Park, Alberta Undrafted
37 Canada Parr, CameronCameron Parr LW L 18 2021 La Salle, Manitoba Eligible 2024
32 Canada Paupanekis, HaydenHayden Paupanekis C R 17 2022 Winnipeg, Manitoba Eligible 2025
29 Canada Preston, MathisMathis Preston C R 16 2023 Penticton, British Columbia Eligible 2026
34 Canada Roulette, ConnerConner Roulette LW L 21 2023 Winnipeg, Manitoba 2021, 111th Overall, DAL
7 Canada Schoettler, OwenOwen Schoettler D R 17 2022 Edmonton, Alberta Eligible 2025
17 Canada Streek, CarterCarter Streek LW L 20 2021 Kamloops, British Columbia Undrafted
20 Canada Van Olm, SheaShea Van Olm RW L 20 2024 Calgary, Alberta Undrafted
24 Canada Weinstein, SageSage Weinstein D L 19 2020 Edmonton, Alberta 2023, FA, COL

NHL alumni

  • Jaret Anderson-Dolan
  • Scott Bailey
  • Adam Beckman
  • Mike Berger
  • Matt Berlin
  • Rick Berry
  • Maxim Bets
  • Drayson Bowman
  • Barry Brust
  • Valeri Bure
  • Marian Cisar
  • Jared Cowen
  • Rocky Dundas
  • Justin Falk
  • Pat Falloon
  • Brad Ference
  • Wade Flaherty
  • Link Gaetz
  • Troy Gamble
  • Brent Gilchrist
  • Michael Grabner
  • Travis Green
  • Ian Herbers
  • Justin Hocking
  • Tony Horacek
  • Jan Hrdina
  • Tyler Johnson
  • Ty Jones
  • Steve Junker
  • Matt Keith
  • Trevor Kidd
  • Jon Klemm
  • Zenith Komarniski
  • Filip Kral
  • Darcy Kuemper
  • Jason Labarbera
  • Greg Leeb
  • Jamie Linden
  • Darcy Loewen
  • Lynn Loyns
  • Doug Lynch
  • Bryan McCabe
  • Jamie McLennan
  • Brantt Myhres
  • Rich Parent
  • Jason Podollan
  • Craig Reichert
  • Jeff Rohlicek
  • Kyle Rossiter
  • Derek Ryan
  • Kurt Sauer
  • Kevin Sawyer
  • Paxton Schulte
  • Cam Severson
  • Jeff Sharples
  • Ty Smith
  • Jared Spurgeon
  • Dustin Tokarski
  • Roman Tvrdon
  • Dominik Uher
  • Mick Vukota
  • Darcy Wakaluk
  • Trent Whitfield
  • Ray Whitney
  • Kailer Yamamoto

Season-by-season record

Regular season

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties OTL = Overtime losses Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season GP W L T OTL GF GA Points Finish Playoffs
1985–86 72 30 41 1 - 373 413 61 3rd West Lost West Division semi-final
1986–87 72 37 33 2 - 374 350 76 3rd West Lost West Division semi-final
1987–88 72 37 32 3 - 330 296 77 2nd West Lost West Division final
1988–89 72 25 45 2 - 326 419 56 6th West Out of playoffs
1989–90 72 30 37 5 - 334 344 65 4th West Lost West Division semi-final
1990–91 72 48 23 1 - 435 275 97 2nd West Won WHL championship and Memorial Cup
1991–92 72 37 29 6 - 267 270 80 2nd West Lost West Division semi-final
1992–93 72 28 40 4 - 311 319 60 5th West Lost West Division semi-final
1993–94 72 31 37 4 - 324 320 66 5th West Lost West Division quarter-final
1994–95 72 32 36 4 - 244 261 68 5th West Lost West Division semi-final
1995–96 72 50 18 4 - 322 221 104 1st West Lost WHL finals
1996–97 72 35 33 4 - 260 235 74 3rd West Lost West Division semi-final
1997–98 72 45 23 4 - 288 235 94 2nd West Lost West Division final & Lost Memorial Cup
1998–99 72 19 44 9 - 193 268 47 7th West Out of playoffs
1999–00 72 47 19 4 2 272 191 100 1st West Lost WHL finals
2000–01 72 35 28 7 2 242 219 79 4th West Lost West Division final
2001–02 72 33 25 11 3 223 206 80 2nd U.S. Lost Western Conference semi-final
2002–03 72 26 36 6 4 216 261 62 2nd U.S. Lost Western Conference semi-final
2003–04 72 32 29 4 7 200 215 75 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2004–05 72 24 38 8 2 192 230 58 5th U.S. Out of playoffs
Season GP W L OTL SOL GF GA Points Finish Playoffs
2005–06 72 25 39 5 3 193 254 58 5th U.S. Out of playoffs
2006–07 72 36 28 4 4 232 217 80 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2007–08 72 50 15 1 6 251 160 107 2nd U.S. Won WHL championship and Memorial Cup
2008–09 72 46 23 0 3 246 145 95 2nd U.S. Lost Western Conference semi-final
2009–10 72 45 22 3 2 240 179 95 3rd U.S. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2010–11 72 48 18 4 2 310 193 102 2nd U.S. Lost Western Conference final
2011–12 72 38 25 5 4 257 225 85 3rd U.S. Lost Western Conference semi-final
2012–13 72 44 26 2 0 269 230 90 2nd U.S. Lost Western Conference semi-final
2013–14 72 40 26 3 3 244 213 86 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2014–15 72 34 34 3 1 219 229 72 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2015–16 72 33 30 5 4 223 245 75 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2016–17 72 27 33 8 4 235 272 66 5th U.S. Out of playoffs
2017–18 72 41 25 3 3 282 240 88 3rd U.S. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2018–19 68 40 21 2 5 267 222 87 2nd U.S. Lost Western Conference final
2019–20 64 41 18 4 1 258 179 87 3rd U.S. Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 21 6 10 4 1 55 79 17 4th U.S. No playoffs were held
2021–22 68 24 39 4 1 188 289 53 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2022–23 68 15 43 4 6 195 314 40 5th U.S. Out of playoffs
2023–24 68 30 32 5 1 268 263 66 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference Quarter-finals

WHL Championship history

  • 1990–91: Win, 4-0 vs Lethbridge
  • 1995–96: Loss, 1-4 vs Brandon
  • 1999–00: Loss, 2-4 vs Kootenay
  • 2007–08: Win, 4-0 vs Lethbridge

Memorial Cup finals history

  • 1991 Win, 5-1 vs Drummondville
  • 2008 Win, 4-1 vs Kitchener

Playoff history

  • 1985–86: Lost to Portland Winter Hawks 5 games to 4 in conference semifinals.
  • 1986–87: Lost to Portland Winter Hawks 5 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
  • 1987–88: Defeated Victoria Cougars 5 games to 3 in conference semifinals.
    Lost to Kamloops Blazers 5 games to 2 in conference finals.
  • 1988–89: Out of playoffs.
  • 1989–90: Lost to Kamloops Blazers 5 games to 1 in conference semifinals
  • 1990–91: Defeated Seattle Thunderbirds 5 games to 1 in conference semifinals.
    Defeated Kamloops Blazers 5 games to 0 in conference finals.
    Defeated Lethbridge Hurricanes 4 games to 0 in WHL finals. WHL CHAMPIONS
    Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in first place (3–0).
    Defeated Drummondville Voltigeurs 5–1 to win Memorial Cup. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
  • 1991–92: Defeated Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
    Lost to Seattle Thunderbirds 3 games to 1 in conference semifinals.
  • 1992–93: Defeated Tacoma Rockets 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
    Lost to Kamloops Blazers 3 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
  • 1993–94: Lost to Seattle Thunderbirds 3 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
  • 1994–95: Advanced past round-robin tournament with 3–1 record.
    Lost to Tri-City Americans 4 games to 3 in conference semifinals.
  • 1995–96: Defeated Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
    Earned second round bye.
    Defeated Kamloops Blazers 4 games to 2 in conference finals.
    Lost to Brandon Wheat Kings 4 games to 1 in WHL Finals.
  • 1996–97: Defeated Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
    Lost to Prince George Cougars 3 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
  • 1997–98: Defeated Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
    Defeated Prince George Cougars 3 games to 1 in conference semifinals.
    Lost to Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 3 in conference finals.
    Hosted Memorial Cup, finished round-robin in third place (1–2).
    Lost 2–1 (OT) in semifinal to Guelph Storm.
  • 1998–99: Out of playoffs.
  • 1999–2000: Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
    Earned second round bye.
    Defeated Prince George Cougars 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
    Lost to Kootenay Ice 4 games to 2 in WHL finals.
  • 2000–01: Defeated Kamloops Blazers 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
    Defeated Seattle Thunderbirds 3 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
    Lost to Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
  • 2001–02: Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
    Lost to Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 2 in conference semifinals.
  • 2002–03: Defeated Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
    Lost to Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
  • 2003–04: Lost to Everett Silvertips 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
  • 2004–05: Out of playoffs.
  • 2005–06: Out of playoffs.
  • 2006–07: Lost to Everett Silvertips 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
  • 2007–08: Defeated Everett Silvertips 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
    Defeated Vancouver Giants 4 games to 2 in conference semifinals.
    Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 3 in conference finals.
    Defeated Lethbridge Hurricanes 4 games to 0 in WHL finals. WHL CHAMPIONS
    Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in first place (3–0).
    Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4–1 to win Memorial Cup. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
  • 2008–09: Defeated Seattle Thunderbirds 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
    Lost to Vancouver Giants 4 games to 3 in conference semifinals.
  • 2009–10: Lost to Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
  • 2010–11: Defeated Chilliwack Bruins 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
    Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 2 in conference semifinals.
    Lost to Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 2 in conference finals.
  • 2011-12: Defeated Vancouver Giants 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
    Lost to Tri-City Americans 4 games to 3 in Conference semifinals.
  • 2012-13: Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
    Lost to Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
  • 2013–14: Lost to Victoria Royals 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
  • 2014–15: Lost to Everett Silvertips 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
  • 2015–16: Lost to Victoria Royals 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
  • 2016–17: Out of playoffs.
  • 2017–18: Lost to Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
  • 2018–19: Defeated Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
    Defeated Everett Silvertips 4 games to 1 in conference semifinals.
    Lost to Vancouver Giants 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
  • 2019–20: No playoffs were held
  • 2020–21: No playoffs were held
  • 2021–22: Lost to Kamloops Blazers 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
  • All-Time Playoff Record (Not Including Memorial Cup Games): 151–145
  • All-Time Memorial Cup Tournament Record: 9–3

Executives

Head coaches and all-time regular season records

  • 1985–1986 Ernie Gare Jr. (1–5–0)
  • 1985–1986 Marc Pezzin (30–41–1)
  • 1986–1987 Peter Esdale (37–33–2)
  • 1987–1989 Butch Goring (39–41–3)
  • 1989 (Interim)- Bob Strumm (2–4–0)
  • 1988–1989 Gary Braun (21–32–2)
  • 1989–1994 Bryan Maxwell (165–155–22)* Resigned Mid-Season 1993–94
  • 1994 (Interim)- Tim Speltz (1–0)
  • 1994 (Interim)- Perry Shockey (0–1)
  • 1994 (Interim)- Mike Fedorko (9–11–2)
  • 1994–2000 Mike Babcock (234–169–29–2)
  • 1997 (Interim)- Brian Cox (5–2–0)
  • 2000–2002 Perry Ganchar (68–53–18–5)
  • 2003–2005 Al Conroy (82–103–18–13)
  • 2005–2008 Bill Peters (111–81–10–12)
  • 2008 (Interim) Leigh Mendelson (1–0)
  • 2008–2010 Hardy Sauter (91–45–3–5)
  • 2010–2017 Don Nachbaur (86–43–9–6)
  • 2017–2019 Dan Lambert (81–46–5–8)
  • 2019–2020 Emanuel Viveiros (41-18-5)
  • 2020–2022 Adam Maglio (18-36-9)
  • 2022 (Interim) Ryan Smith (12-14-1)
  • 2022–Present Ryan Smith

General managers

  • 1985–1986 Marc Pezzin
  • 1986–1989 Bob Strumm
  • 1989–1990 Brian Maxwell
  • 1990–2016 Tim Speltz
  • 2016–2022 Scott Carter
  • 2022–Present Matt Bardsley

Radio and television coverage

Spokane Chiefs games are broadcast on AM 1510 KGA throughout Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and parts of British Columbia.

Arenas

SpokaneArenaSECorner
The Spokane Arena is the home of the Spokane Chiefs.
  • 1950–1995 Spokane Coliseum (5,400 capacity)
  • 1995–Present Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena 9,916 current hockey capacity according to the spokane arena website (old capacity was 10,759)

Chiefs attendance averages and WHL attendance rank

Season Total attendance Average Games WHL rank
1996–97 281,743 7,826 36 2nd
1997–98 289,735 8,048 36 2nd
1998–99 259,150 7,404 36 2nd
1999–00 255,974 7,110 36 1st
2000–01 231,960 6,443 36 2nd
2001–02 229,308 6,369 36 3rd
2002–03 219,586 6,099 36 3rd
2003–04 226,550 6,293 36 3rd
2004–05 225,002 6,250 36 4th
2005–06 219,802 6,105 36 5th
2006–07 220,019 6,112 36 4th
2007–08 236,056 6,557 36 3rd
2008–09 239,620 6,656 36 3rd
2009–10 243,370 6,760 36 3rd
2010–11 231,811 6,439 36 3rd
2011–12 231,946 6,442 36 2nd
2012–13 229,232 6,368 36 3rd
2013–14 219,662 6,101 36 4th
2014–15 209, 836 5,829 36 5th
2015-16 5,765 36 4th
2016-17 209,225 5,812 36 5th
2017-18 5,741 36 3rd
2018-19 5,959 36 2nd
2019-20 5,709 31 3rd
2020-21 Season Cancelled 21 4th
2021-22 4,419 34 4th
2022-23 Ongoing 5,342 5th
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