Spokane Chiefs

Last updated
Spokane Chiefs
Spokane Chiefs logo.svg
City Spokane, Washington
League Western Hockey League
ConferenceWestern
DivisionU.S.
Founded1985
Home arena Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena
ColorsRed, white and blue
   
General managerMatt Bardsley
Head coachRyan Smith
Website www.spokanechiefs.com
Franchise history
1982–1985 Kelowna Wings
1985–presentSpokane Chiefs
Championships
Playoff championships Ed Chynoweth Cup
2 (1991, 2008)
Memorial Cup
2 (1991, 2008)

The Spokane Chiefs are an American major junior ice hockey team based in Spokane, Washington. The Chiefs play in the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League's Western Conference, playing home games at Spokane Arena. The Chiefs are two-time Memorial Cup champions, winning the title in 1991 and 2008. Spokane hosted the first outdoor game in WHL history on January 15, 2011, at Avista Stadium.

Contents

History

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. [1] 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.[ citation needed ]

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.' [2]

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. [3]

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. [4] 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. [5]

Outdoor hockey game

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

The WHL's first outdoor 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. [6]

Season-by-season record

Regular season

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

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

SeasonGP W L T OTLGF GA PointsFinishPlayoffs
1985–86 7230411-373413613rd WestLost West Division semifinal
1986–87 7237332-374350763rd WestLost West Division semifinal
1987–88 7237323-330296772nd WestLost West Division final
1988–89 7225452-326419566th WestDid not qualify
1989–90 7230375-334344654th WestLost West Division semifinal
1990–91 7248231-435275972nd WestWon Championship and Memorial Cup
1991–92 7237296-267270802nd WestLost West Division semifinal
1992–93 7228404-311319605th WestLost West Division semifinal
1993–94 7231374-324320665th WestLost West Division quarterfinal
1994–95 7232364-244261685th WestLost West Division semifinal
1995–96 7250184-3222211041st WestLost final
1996–97 7235334-260235743rd WestLost West Division semifinal
1997–98 7245234-288235942nd WestLost West Division final
1998–99 7219449-193268477th WestDid not qualify
1999–00 724719422721911001st WestLost final
2000–01 72352872242219794th WestLost West Division final
2001–02 723325113223206802nd U.S.Lost Western Conference semifinal
2002–03 72263664216261622nd U.S.Lost Western Conference semifinal
2003–04 72322947200215754th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2004–05 72243882192230585th U.S.Did not qualify
SeasonGP W L OTL SOLGF GA PointsFinishPlayoffs
2005–06 72253953193254585th U.S.Did not qualify
2006–07 72362844232217804th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2007–08 725015162511601072nd U.S.Won Championship and Memorial Cup
2008–09 72462303246145952nd U.S.Lost Western Conference semifinal
2009–10 72452232240179953rd U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2010–11 724818423101931022nd U.S.Lost Western Conference final
2011–12 72382554257225853rd U.S.Lost Western Conference semifinal
2012–13 72442620269230902nd U.S.Lost Western Conference semifinal
2013–14 72402633244213864th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2014–15 72343431219229724th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2015–16 72333054223245754th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2016–17 72273384235272665th U.S.Did not qualify
2017–18 72412533282240883rd U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2018–19 68402125267222872nd U.S.Lost Western Conference final
2019–20 64411841258179873rd U.S.Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 21610415579174th U.S.No playoffs held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22 68243941188289534th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2022–23 68154346195314405th U.S.Did not qualify
2023–24 68303251268263664th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal

Playoff history

The Chiefs have won the Western Conference Championship four times, in 1991, 1996, 2000, and 2008. Westernconferencetrophy.jpg
The Chiefs have won the Western Conference Championship four times, in 1991, 1996, 2000, and 2008.
On September 27, 2008, the Chiefs unveiled their WHL and Memorial Cup Championship banners.

Championship history

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. Memorial cup drop.JPG
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.

WHL Championship series

Memorial Cup finals

Players

Current roster

Updated March 30, 2024. [8]

# Nat Player Pos S/G AgeAcquiredBirthplaceDrafted
6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Kaden Allan D L16 2023 Hamiota, Manitoba Eligible 2026
23 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Coco Armstrong RW R18 2021 West Vancouver, British Columbia Eligible 2024
28 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Chase Bertholet RW R21 2021 The Pas, Manitoba Undrafted
4 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ben Bonni  ( A ) RW L19 2021 Winnipeg, Manitoba Undrafted
27 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Berkly Catton  ( A ) C L18 2021 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Eligible 2024
11 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ty Cheveldayoff  ( A ) LW L21 2020 Edmonton, Alberta Undrafted
35 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dawson Cowan G L18 2022 Warren, Manitoba Eligible 2024
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Brayden Crampton D R20 2021 Chilliwack, British Columbia Undrafted
13 Flag of Sweden.svg Rasmus Ekström C R19 2023 Stockholm, Sweden Undrafted
30 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Carter Esler G R15 2023 Okotoks, Alberta Eligible 2027
19 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Layton Feist D L20 2023 Coldstream, British Columbia Undrafted
15 Flag of the United States.svg Brody Gillespie C L16 2023 Portland, Oregon Eligible 2026
26 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Chase Harrington LW L16 2022 Prince George, British Columbia Eligible 2026
16 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Lukas Kral LW L18 2023 Prague, Czech Republic Eligible 2024
21 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Owen Martin C R17 2022 Oakbank, Manitoba Eligible 2025
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Nathan Mayes D L17 2021 Salmon Arm, British Columbia Eligible 2024
18 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg William McIsaac D R18 2021 Vancouver, British Columbia Eligible 2024
33 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cooper Michaluk G L19 2020 Sherwood Park, Alberta Undrafted
37 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cameron Parr LW L17 2021 La Salle, Manitoba Eligible 2024
32 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Hayden Paupanekis C R17 2022 Winnipeg, Manitoba Eligible 2025
29 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mathis Preston C R15 2023 Penticton, British Columbia Eligible 2026
34 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Conner Roulette LW L21 2023 Winnipeg, Manitoba 2021, 111th Overall, DAL
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Owen Schoettler D R17 2022 Edmonton, Alberta Eligible 2025
17 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Carter Streek LW L20 2021 Kamloops, British Columbia Undrafted
20 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Shea Van Olm RW L20 2024 Calgary, Alberta Undrafted
24 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Sage Weinstein D L18 2020 Edmonton, Alberta 2023, FA, COL

NHL alumni

Executives

Head coaches

All-time regular season records in parentheses.

General managers

Radio and television coverage

Spokane Chiefs games are broadcast on AM 1510 KGA throughout Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and parts of British Columbia. [13]

The Chiefs play home games at Spokane Arena. SpokaneArenaSECorner.jpg
The Chiefs play home games at Spokane Arena.

Arenas

Chiefs attendance

Table includes average attendance and WHL attendance rank.

SeasonTotal attendanceAverage [14] GamesWHL rank
1996–97281,7437,826362nd
1997–98289,7358,048362nd
1998–99259,1507,404362nd
1999–00255,9747,110361st
2000–01231,9606,443362nd
2001–02229,3086,369363rd
2002–03219,5866,099363rd
2003–04226,5506,293363rd
2004–05225,0026,250364th
2005–06219,8026,105365th
2006–07220,0196,112364th
2007–08236,0566,557363rd
2008–09239,6206,656363rd
2009–10243,3706,760363rd
2010–11231,8116,439363rd
2011–12231,9466,442362nd
2012–13229,2326,368363rd
2013–14219,6626,101364th
2014–15209, 8365,829365th
2015-165,765364th
2016-17209,225 [15] 5,812365th
2017-185,741363rd
2018-195,959362nd
2019-205,709313rd
2020-21Season Cancelled214th
2021-224,419344th
2022-235,342345th
2023-24205,500 [16] 6,044343rd

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References

  1. ↑ "The Spokesman-Review - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  2. ↑ The StarPhoenix October 28, 2007 (2007-10-28). "On the road again". Canada.com. Retrieved 2010-07-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ Oregonian, Special to The (2010-03-30). "WHL playoffs: Spokane beats Portland Winterhawks 4-3 in Game 6 of Western Conference quarterfinals". oregonlive. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  4. ↑ "Spokane Chiefs decline to pick up option on head coach Hardy Sauter's contract - NHL.com - News". NHL.com. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  5. ↑ "Don Nachbaur will coach Chiefs: Official announcement will be made at press conference Wednesday". American Chronicle. 2007-05-14. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  6. ↑ "Blanchette: Chiefs lit the fuse on perfect outdoor outcome". spokesman.com.
  7. ↑ "Western Hockey League". Western Hockey League. 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  8. ↑ WHL Network, Western Hockey League, retrieved 2024-03-30
  9. ↑ "Manny Viveiros Hired as Chiefs' Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 9, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Chiefs name Smith Head Coach, Donaghy an Assistant". Spokane Chiefs. June 26, 2022.
  11. ↑ Nichols, Dave (May 15th, 2024). "'Tough decision': Spokane Chiefs part ways with coach Ryan Smith after two full seasons".{{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ↑ "Chiefs appoint Bardsley as General Manager". Spokane Chiefs. May 3, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Mike Boyle." Krem 2, 10 Oct. 2017, 3:13 PM PDT, https://www.krem.com/article/about-us/team-bios/mike-boyle/293-165483109 . Accessed 22 Feb. 2023.
  14. ↑ "Spokane Chiefs [WHL] yearly attendance at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  15. ↑ "2016-17 Season In Review: Bright Future Ahead – Spokane Chiefs" . Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  16. ↑ Costanzo, Alex (2024-03-21). "Chiefs announce regular season attendance numbers". Spokane Chiefs. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
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