Spokane Chiefs
Encyclopedia
The Spokane Chiefs are a major junior ice hockey
team that plays in the Western Hockey League
based out of Spokane, Washington
. The team plays its home games at the Spokane Arena. Their uniforms are similar to those of the NHL
's Montreal Canadiens
. Spokane consistently ranks 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-ever outdoor hockey game in WHL history, on January 15, 2011, at Avista Stadium versus the Kootenay Ice.
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. Before the Spokane Chiefs, there was another WHL franchise in Spokane, the Spokane Flyers
, which played between 1980–1982.
The Chiefs won the WHL and CHL Memorial Cup
championships in 1991 and 2008. In addition, they have won two division titles and four Western Conference championships. The Chiefs and Portland Winter Hawks
are the only United States based teams to win the Memorial Cup. The Chiefs are also the only team in the history of the Western Hockey League to come back from an 0–3 deficit to win a best-of-seven series, which they did against the Portland Winter Hawks in 1996.
The 1991 Memorial Cup
team included future NHL
players: Ray Whitney, Pat Falloon
, Trevor Kidd
, Jon Klemm
, and Scott Bailey
. This team of future NHL'ers blew through the Memorial Cup Tournament, scoring a goal in the first couple of minutes of virtually every game.
The Chiefs' move to the new Spokane Arena in 1995 proved to be good luck. Along with being called the gem of the Western Hockey League, the Arena hosted many memorable events in the first year and saw the Chiefs win 50 games and advance to the WHL finals, only to lose in five games to the Brandon Wheat Kings
.
Just two years later, the Chiefs hosted the 1998 Memorial Cup
, setting an attendance record. In the 1999–00 season head coach Mike Babcock
led the team from a last place finish the previous year to a first place, 47 win season. The Chiefs advanced to play the Kootenay Ice
in the WHL finals, but lost in six games.
Between 2001 and 2005, the Chiefs struggled to find an identity. The organization went through three head coaches in five years: Perry Ganchar
(resigned), Al Conroy
(fired) and Bill Peters. Still Spokane fans, known for their robust support, continued to turn out. The Chiefs consistently average 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.' In 1999, the fans were named the best in the WHL. On Saturday nights, often referred to as 'Hockey Night in Spokane', the Spokane Arena is generally sold out, and sellouts are expected when the Tri-City Americans
come to town.
The 2007–08 season
produced the most wins by a Spokane Chiefs team since the 1999–00 season, a season which saw the Chiefs go to the WHL Finals. The team, backed by a solid goaltending tandem and an offensive attack led by Carolina Hurricanes
draft pick Drayson Bowman
, ranked in the top ten of the CHL for most of the season, and reached the #1 spot in late February. In one of the greatest series in WHL history the Chiefs beat their arch-rival, the Tri-City Americans
, 4 games to 3 in the Western Conference finals to earn a spot in the 2008 WHL Finals. Five of the 7 games went into overtime, including 3 games decided in double overtime.
In the Finals, the Chiefs outscored the Lethbridge Hurricanes
15–5 and swept the series 4–0, just as they did in the 1991 WHL playoffs, to earn a trip to the Memorial Cup
in Kitchener, Ontario
. The Chiefs skated to a perfect 3–0 round robin record en route to their 2nd Memorial Cup
, defeating the host Kitchener Rangers
4–1 in the championship game. The Chiefs remain the only U.S. team ever to win the Memorial Cup
on Canadian soil.
The Chiefs and the Portland Winterhawks would make history again in the playoffs in 2010, as Portland beat Spokane in the Western Conference quarterfinals, 4 games to 3. It is the only series in Western Hockey League
history in which the home team didn't win a game.
On May 4, 2010 the Chiefs announced they declined to exercise the option on Hardy Sauter's contract, thereby ending his two-year stint as the team's head coach. Weeks later, speculation begin swirling when former Tri-City coach Don Nachbaur unexpectedly resigned from a coaching position in the AHL. Just hours later, Nachbaur was named the new head coach of the Chiefs, further sparking the heated rivalry between Tri-City and Spokane.
Nachbaur's first season as head coach would be one filled with low expectations. Most picked Spokane to finish at or near the bottom of the Western Conference. But Nachbaur's Chiefs finished the season with 102 points- the third highest total in team history, and only one point away from the regular season Western Conference crown. Led by sniper and Tampa Bay Lightning
prospect Tyler Johnson, the Chiefs led the league in goals scored and power play goals. The surprising Chiefs would also allow the second fewest goals in the league, led by Ottawa Senators
prospect Jared Cowen. Spokane would advance to the Western Conference finals, only to lose to Portland four games to two. Nachbaur was named WHL Coach of the Year for 2011 - becoming the only coach in WHL history to win the honor with three different teams (Spokane, Seattle and Tri-City).
. While the game was welcomed with great excitement in Spokane, many fans questioned the location of the 7,000-seat Avista Stadium
- the home of the Spokane Indians
baseball club. Joe Albi Stadium
, a 28,000-seat facility that usually hosts high school and college football, was thought to be a much-better choice. Chiefs owner Bobby Brett, who also owns the Indians baseball team, said the Chiefs could not reach an argeement with the city on using Joe Albi.
Brett also had liability concerns regarding the astroturf installed at Albi. In the end, the game was played at Avista Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd of 7,075- though ticket prices did make a sell-out uncertain until the last minute. 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.
Construction crews begin their work at Avista Stadium the week after New Year's. A platform was constructed between first and third base on the baseball field, and then the ice refrigeration unit was placed on top of the platform. It took crews about one week to have the ice rink ready to go.
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 barrled through the northwest and melted nearly a foot of snow already on the ground in Spokane. To the disappointment of many fans, the temperatures on game-day reached 50-degrees and there was no snow. As if on cue, moments before the puck dropped, the sun tucked behind the clouds and didn't show for the rest of the day, providing near-perfect viewing conditions.
The Chiefs ended up winning the game 11-2 over Kootenay, as nine different players scored for Spokane. Brett and the Chiefs organization have said it is very unlikely an outdoor game would ever be played in Spokane again, although the following day general manager Tim Speltz did leave open the possibility of hosting a game at Joe Albi Stadium
.
Asterisk indicates rookie
(1992–93)
Most assists: 118 - Ray Whitney (1990–91)
Most points: 185 - Ray Whitney (1990–91)
Most points, rookie: 78 - Pat Falloon
(1988–89)
Most points, defenceman: 84 - Bryan McCabe
(1993–94)
Most penalty minutes: 505 - Kerry Toporowski (1990–91)
Best goals against average, goaltender: 1.97 - Dustin Tokarski
(2008–09
)
Most shutouts, goaltender: 15 - Dustin Tokarski
(2006–07, 2007–08
, 2008–09)
Most saves, goaltender: 2,007 - Troy Gamble
(1987–88)
Most regular season wins, goaltender: 85 - James Reid
(2008–09, 2009–10
, 2010–11
)
Most single-season games played, goaltender: 67 - Troy Gamble
(1987–88)
Most points in standings, team: 107 (2007–08)
Most wins, team: 50 (1995–96), (2007–08)
Longest game: 2:26:05 - 4 OT's (vs. Vancouver - April 10, 2009) (2nd longest game in WHL history)
. Jay Stewart is now the Director of Public Relations for the Spokane Chiefs and is the television announcer during live games.
Spokane is the only U.S. team in the WHL that can regularly be seen on television in Canada. Spokane's ABC, CBS and NBC television stations are available in Calgary, AB., Edmonton, AB., Saskatoon, SK., and other cities in Western and Central Canada.
A half-dozen games are televised in Spokane on SWX Right Now
, a sports and weather channel owned by KHQ-TV
.
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
team that plays in the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
based out of Spokane, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
. The team plays its home games at the Spokane Arena. Their uniforms are similar to those of the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
. Spokane consistently ranks in the top 10 in the Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
in attendance. The Chiefs won the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
in 1991 and 2008. They also hosted the first-ever outdoor hockey game in WHL history, on January 15, 2011, at Avista Stadium versus the Kootenay Ice.
History
The Spokane Chiefs was also the name of the hockey team that played in the Western International Hockey LeagueWestern International Hockey League
The Western International Hockey League was a senior level ice hockey league that featured teams from the Western United States and Western Canada. It operated from 1946–62 and 1963–88...
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
Kelowna, British Columbia
Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. Its name derives from a Okanagan language term for "grizzly bear"...
as the Kelowna Wings
Kelowna Wings
The Kelowna Wings were a junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia that played in the Western Hockey League from 1982–85. The Wings were abysmal in their three year tenure, winning just 56 out of 216 games played...
. In 1985, the team relocated to Spokane, Washington and became the Chiefs. Before the Spokane Chiefs, there was another WHL franchise in Spokane, the Spokane Flyers
Spokane Flyers
The Spokane Flyers were a junior ice hockey team that played one and a half seasons in the Western Hockey League from 1980–1982. They played in Spokane, Washington, United States.-History:...
, which played between 1980–1982.
The Chiefs won the WHL and CHL Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
championships in 1991 and 2008. In addition, they have won two division titles and four Western Conference championships. The Chiefs and Portland Winter Hawks
Portland Winter Hawks
The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the...
are the only United States based teams to win the Memorial Cup. The Chiefs are also the only team in the history of the Western Hockey League to come back from an 0–3 deficit to win a best-of-seven series, which they did against the Portland Winter Hawks in 1996.
The 1991 Memorial Cup
1991 Memorial Cup
The 1991 Memorial Cup occurred May 11-May 19 at the Colisée de Québec in Quebec City, Quebec. Participating teams were the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion Chicoutimi Saguenéens and runner-up Drummondville Voltigeurs, as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League and Western Hockey...
team included future NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
players: Ray Whitney, Pat Falloon
Pat Falloon
Patrick J. Falloon is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey right winger who played nine seasons in the National Hockey League between 1991 and 2000. He played with the San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He would also play a season...
, Trevor Kidd
Trevor Kidd
Trevor Kidd is a former NHL goaltender who last played for the Hannover Scorpions in Germany. Throughout his 12-year National Hockey League career, Kidd played for the Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs...
, Jon Klemm
Jon Klemm
Jonathan Darryl Klemm is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League. He is currently serving as the assistant coach for the Spokane Chiefs, a Western Hockey League team, based from Spokane, Washington.-Playing career:After winning the Memorial...
, and Scott Bailey
Scott Bailey (ice hockey)
Scott Bailey is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender who played 19 games in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins...
. This team of future NHL'ers blew through the Memorial Cup Tournament, scoring a goal in the first couple of minutes of virtually every game.
The Chiefs' move to the new Spokane Arena in 1995 proved to be good luck. Along with being called the gem of the Western Hockey League, the Arena hosted many memorable events in the first year and saw the Chiefs win 50 games and advance to the WHL finals, only to lose in five games to the Brandon Wheat Kings
Brandon Wheat Kings
The Brandon Wheat Kings are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Brandon, Manitoba. They compete in the Western Hockey League, and joined the league in the 1967–68 season. Prior to that they played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and were known as the Brandon Elks for a short time in the...
.
Just two years later, the Chiefs hosted the 1998 Memorial Cup
1998 Memorial Cup
The 1998 Memorial Cup occurred May 9-17 at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Washington. Participating teams were the host Spokane Chiefs and the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the Guelph Storm, Val-d'Or...
, setting an attendance record. In the 1999–00 season head coach Mike Babcock
Mike Babcock
Michael "Mike" Babcock, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League and former player. He serves as head coach of the Red Wings. He also served as the head coach of Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver...
led the team from a last place finish the previous year to a first place, 47 win season. The Chiefs advanced to play the Kootenay Ice
Kootenay Ice
The Kootenay Ice are a major junior ice hockey team based in Cranbrook, British Columbia and competing in the Western Hockey League. The team plays its home games at the Cranbrook Recreational Complex, also nicknamed the RecPlex.-History:...
in the WHL finals, but lost in six games.
Between 2001 and 2005, the Chiefs struggled to find an identity. The organization went through three head coaches in five years: Perry Ganchar
Perry Ganchar
Perry Ganchar is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 42 games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins...
(resigned), Al Conroy
Al Conroy
John Allan Conroy is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in 114 National Hockey League games over parts of three seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers.-External links:...
(fired) and Bill Peters. Still Spokane fans, known for their robust support, continued to turn out. The Chiefs consistently average 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.' In 1999, the fans were named the best in the WHL. On Saturday nights, often referred to as 'Hockey Night in Spokane', the Spokane Arena is generally sold out, and sellouts are expected when the Tri-City Americans
Tri-City Americans
The Tri-City Americans are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League, based in Kennewick, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center...
come to town.
The 2007–08 season
2007–08 WHL season
The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008....
produced the most wins by a Spokane Chiefs team since the 1999–00 season, a season which saw the Chiefs go to the WHL Finals. The team, backed by a solid goaltending tandem and an offensive attack led by Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
draft pick Drayson Bowman
Drayson Bowman
Drayson Bowman is an American professional ice hockey center who currently plays for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. He was selected 72nd overall by the Hurricanes in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...
, ranked in the top ten of the CHL for most of the season, and reached the #1 spot in late February. In one of the greatest series in WHL history the Chiefs beat their arch-rival, the Tri-City Americans
Tri-City Americans
The Tri-City Americans are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League, based in Kennewick, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center...
, 4 games to 3 in the Western Conference finals to earn a spot in the 2008 WHL Finals. Five of the 7 games went into overtime, including 3 games decided in double overtime.
In the Finals, the Chiefs outscored the Lethbridge Hurricanes
Lethbridge Hurricanes
The Lethbridge Hurricanes are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Conference of the Western Hockey League in Lethbridge, Alberta. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centre.-History:...
15–5 and swept the series 4–0, just as they did in the 1991 WHL playoffs, to earn a trip to the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
in Kitchener, Ontario
Kitchener, Ontario
The City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
. The Chiefs skated to a perfect 3–0 round robin record en route to their 2nd Memorial Cup
2008 Memorial Cup
-Semi-final:-Final:-Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:-Award winners:*Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy : Dustin Tokarski, Spokane*George Parsons Trophy : Matthew Halischuk, Kitchener...
, defeating the host Kitchener Rangers
Kitchener Rangers
The Kitchener Rangers are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League that have called Kitchener, Ontario, Canada their home since 1963. The Rangers are a publicly owned hockey team, governed by a 40-person Board of Directors made up of season ticket subscribers. The Rangers hosted...
4–1 in the championship game. The Chiefs remain the only U.S. team ever to win the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
on Canadian soil.
The Chiefs and the Portland Winterhawks would make history again in the playoffs in 2010, as Portland beat Spokane in the Western Conference quarterfinals, 4 games to 3. It is the only series in Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
history in which the home team didn't win a game.
On May 4, 2010 the Chiefs announced they declined to exercise the option on Hardy Sauter's contract, thereby ending his two-year stint as the team's head coach. Weeks later, speculation begin swirling when former Tri-City coach Don Nachbaur unexpectedly resigned from a coaching position in the AHL. Just hours later, Nachbaur was named the new head coach of the Chiefs, further sparking the heated rivalry between Tri-City and Spokane.
Nachbaur's first season as head coach would be one filled with low expectations. Most picked Spokane to finish at or near the bottom of the Western Conference. But Nachbaur's Chiefs finished the season with 102 points- the third highest total in team history, and only one point away from the regular season Western Conference crown. Led by sniper and Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
prospect Tyler Johnson, the Chiefs led the league in goals scored and power play goals. The surprising Chiefs would also allow the second fewest goals in the league, led by Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
prospect Jared Cowen. Spokane would advance to the Western Conference finals, only to lose to Portland four games to two. Nachbaur was named WHL Coach of the Year for 2011 - becoming the only coach in WHL history to win the honor with three different teams (Spokane, Seattle and Tri-City).
Outdoor hockey game
During the 2010 offseason, the Chiefs and the Western Hockey League announced the WHL's first-ever outdoor hockey game would be played in Spokane on January 15, 2011 between the Chiefs and the Kootenay IceKootenay Ice
The Kootenay Ice are a major junior ice hockey team based in Cranbrook, British Columbia and competing in the Western Hockey League. The team plays its home games at the Cranbrook Recreational Complex, also nicknamed the RecPlex.-History:...
. While the game was welcomed with great excitement in Spokane, many fans questioned the location of the 7,000-seat Avista Stadium
Avista Stadium
Avista Stadium is a ballpark located in Spokane Valley, Washington, United States. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Spokane Indians minor league baseball team, a Class A short-season affiliate of the Texas Rangers...
- the home of the Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
baseball club. Joe Albi Stadium
Joe Albi Stadium
Joe Albi Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in Spokane, Washington. Primarily used for football, it is located in the northwest part of the city, just east of the Spokane River. It opened in 1950 as "Memorial Stadium," with a natural grass field, cinder running track, and a seating capacity of...
, a 28,000-seat facility that usually hosts high school and college football, was thought to be a much-better choice. Chiefs owner Bobby Brett, who also owns the Indians baseball team, said the Chiefs could not reach an argeement with the city on using Joe Albi.
Brett also had liability concerns regarding the astroturf installed at Albi. In the end, the game was played at Avista Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd of 7,075- though ticket prices did make a sell-out uncertain until the last minute. 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.
Construction crews begin their work at Avista Stadium the week after New Year's. A platform was constructed between first and third base on the baseball field, and then the ice refrigeration unit was placed on top of the platform. It took crews about one week to have the ice rink ready to go.
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 barrled through the northwest and melted nearly a foot of snow already on the ground in Spokane. To the disappointment of many fans, the temperatures on game-day reached 50-degrees and there was no snow. As if on cue, moments before the puck dropped, the sun tucked behind the clouds and didn't show for the rest of the day, providing near-perfect viewing conditions.
The Chiefs ended up winning the game 11-2 over Kootenay, as nine different players scored for Spokane. Brett and the Chiefs organization have said it is very unlikely an outdoor game would ever be played in Spokane again, although the following day general manager Tim Speltz did leave open the possibility of hosting a game at Joe Albi Stadium
Joe Albi Stadium
Joe Albi Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in Spokane, Washington. Primarily used for football, it is located in the northwest part of the city, just east of the Spokane River. It opened in 1950 as "Memorial Stadium," with a natural grass field, cinder running track, and a seating capacity of...
.
Current roster
| Number | Player | Position | Birth Year | Hometown | NHL Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Jason Fram* | D | 1995 | South Delta, British Columbia |  |
|
| 3 | Davis Vandane | D | 1992 | Yorkton, Saskatchewan Yorkton, Saskatchewan Yorkton is a city located in southeastern Saskatchewan, Canada, near the Manitoba border. Founded and incorporated in 1882 by a group of settlers from Ontario, it has grown to 15,038 residents as of the 2006 census. The city is bordered by the Rural Municipality of Orkney No. 244 and the Rural... |
|
Undrafted |
| 5 | Tanner Mort | D | 1993 | Post Falls, Idaho Post Falls, Idaho Post Falls is a city in Kootenai County, Idaho, United States near the Idaho state line between Spokane, Washington, and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The population was 17,247 at the 2000 census, and grew to 27,574 people by the 2010 census, making it Idaho's tenth largest city.-History:Post Falls is... |
 |
Undrafted |
| 6 | Cole Hamblin | D | 1993 | St. Adolphe, Manitoba | |
Undrafted |
| 7 | Tyler King* | D | 1995 | Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan Pilot Butte is a town outside of Regina, Saskatchewan. It is located 8 miles east of Regina and has a population of approximately 2000. It has an elementary school, public library, insurance office, two convenience stores, two restaurants, three manufacturing plants, a riding club, hockey arena,... |
|
|
| 8 | Brenden Kichton | D | 1992 | Spruce Grove, Alberta Spruce Grove, Alberta Spruce Grove is a city in the vicinity of Edmonton, Alberta. Like nearby Stony Plain it is surrounded by Parkland County.With a population of 24,646, Spruce Grove is the 11th largest city in Alberta. The Horizon Stage Performing Arts Centre is the local theatre, and its TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre... |
|
Undrafted |
| 10 | Blake Gal | RW | 1992 | Lethbridge, Alberta | |
Undrafted |
| 11 | Liam Stewart* | C | 1994 | Hermosa Beach, California Hermosa Beach, California Hermosa Beach is a beachfront city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Its population was 19,506 at the 2010 census, up from 18,566 at the 2000 census.... |
|
Draft Eligible 2012 |
| 12 | Marek Kalus | LW | 1993 | Ostrava, Czech Republic |  |
Undrafted |
| 14 | Jarid Hauptman | C | 1994 | Morinville, Alberta Morinville, Alberta Morinville is a town in central Alberta, Canada. It is located north of Edmonton on Highway 2.- History :Morinville was settled by Father Morin, an Oblate missionary, who brought many French settlers in the late 1800s, followed by several German pioneers—hence its many French and German families... |
|
|
| 16 | Mike Aviani | C | 1993 | North Vancouver, British Columbia North Vancouver, British Columbia There are two municipalities in the Greater Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada, that use the name North Vancouver. These are:*The City of North Vancouver... |
|
Undrafted |
| 17 | Mitch Holmberg | RW | 1993 | Sherwood Park, Alberta Sherwood Park, Alberta Sherwood Park is a large hamlet in Alberta, Canada within Strathcona County that is recognized as an urban service area. It is located adjacent to the City of Edmonton's eastern boundary, generally south of Highway 16 , west of Highway 21 and north of Highway 630... |
|
Undrafted |
| 18 | Reid Gow | D | 1994 | Killarney, Manitoba Killarney, Manitoba Killarney is a town in Southwestern Manitoba, Canada, at the corner of Manitoba Provincial Trunk Highways 3 & 18. , its population was approximately 2300. The incorporated town is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Turtle Mountain. It is well known for its lake, situated within the town proper... |
|
Draft eligible 2012 |
| 19 | Collin Valcourt | LW | 1993 | Red Deer, Alberta Red Deer, Alberta Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills... |
|
Undrafted |
| 20 | Steven Kuhn | C | 1991 | Oyen, Alberta Oyen, Alberta -Demographics:The population of the Town of Oyen according to its 2009 municipal census is 1,190.In 2006, Oyen had a population of 1,015 living in 404 dwellings, a 0.5% decrease from 2001. The town has a land area of and a population density of .-External links:... |
|
Undrafted |
| 21 | Anthony Bardaro | C | 1992 | Delta, British Columbia Delta, British Columbia Delta is a district municipality in British Columbia, and forms part of Metro Vancouver. Located south of Richmond, it is bordered by the Fraser River to the north, the United States to the south and the city of Surrey to the east... |
|
Undrafted |
| 22 | Darren Kramer | LW | 1991 | Peace River, Alberta Peace River, Alberta Peace River is a town in northwestern Alberta, Canada, situated along the banks of the Peace River, at its confluence with the Smoky River, the Heart River and Pat's Creek. It is located northwest of Edmonton, and northeast of Grande Prairie, along Highway 2. The Peace River townsite is nearly ... |
|
Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
| 23 | Corbin Baldwin | D | 1991 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | |
Undrafted |
| 24 | Cole Wedman | D | 1994 | Edmonton, Alberta | |
Undrafted |
| 26 | Dominik Uher | LW | 1992 | Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic | |
Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
| 27 | Connor Chartier | RW | 1994 | Calgary, Alberta | |
Undrafted |
| 28 | Cody Nelson | RW | 1994 | Brandon, Manitoba Brandon, Manitoba Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance... |
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Undrafted |
| 31 | Mac Engel | G | 1993 | Red Deer, Alberta Red Deer, Alberta Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills... |
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Undrafted |
| 35 | Luke Lee-Knight | G | 1993 | Calgary, Alberta | |
Asterisk indicates rookie
NHL alumni
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Craig Reichert Craig Steven Reichert is a former professional ice hockey winger who played three games for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim during the 1996–97 NHL season... Jeff Rohlicek Jeffrey Rohlicek is a retired American professional ice hockey center who played nine games in the National Hockey League for the Vancouver Canucks. He scored the Cup-winning goal for the Springfield Indians in overtime in the deciding game of the 1990 Calder Cup championship finals.-External... Kyle Rossiter Kyle Rossiter is a former Canadian ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Florida Panthers and the Atlanta Thrashers. Rossiter began has career with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League and was later drafted 30th overall by the Panthers in the 1998 NHL Entry... Kurt Sauer Kurt Christopher Sauer is a professional ice hockey defenseman who last played for the Phoenix Coyotes in the National Hockey League. He is the older brother of Michael Sauer, also a defenseman who plays for the New York Rangers.... Kevin Sawyer Kevin John Sawyer is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.-Playing career:... Paxton Schulte Paxton James Schulte is a retired professional ice hockey player.Schulte was drafted 124th overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques and played one game for the team during the 1993–94 NHL season, spending much of his tenure in the American Hockey League with the Cornwall Aces... Cam Severson Cam Severson is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre.- Draft :He was drafted in the eighth round, 192nd overall, by the San Jose Sharks in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.- Career :... Jeff Sharples Jeff Sharples is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played 105 games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings. He was a second round selection of the Red Wings, 29th overall, at the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut late in the 1986–87 NHL season... Jared Spurgeon Jared Spurgeon is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League... Roman Tvrdon Roman Tvrdoň is a Slovakian ice hockey player who was drafted in 1999 by the Washington Capitals.-External links:... Mick Vukota Marinko M. "The Quick, Mickster" Vukota is a former NHL Right Wing. Undrafted, he signed with the New York Islanders, who were looking to add toughness and muscle to their roster, on March 2, 1987. Vukota worked his way up the system and found himself skating on NHL ice by the end of the 1987–88... Darcy Wakaluk Darcy W. Wakaluk is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League from 1988 to 1997.... Trent Whitfield Trenton Grant Whitfield is a Canadian ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League .-Playing career:... |
Club records
Most goals: 68 - Valeri BureValeri Bure
Valeri Vladimirovich Bure is a retired professional ice hockey right winger from Russia. He played ten seasons in the National Hockey League...
(1992–93)
Most assists: 118 - Ray Whitney (1990–91)
Most points: 185 - Ray Whitney (1990–91)
Most points, rookie: 78 - Pat Falloon
Pat Falloon
Patrick J. Falloon is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey right winger who played nine seasons in the National Hockey League between 1991 and 2000. He played with the San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He would also play a season...
(1988–89)
Most points, defenceman: 84 - Bryan McCabe
Bryan McCabe
Bryan McCabe is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is a free agent.McCabe moved to Calgary, Alberta at a young age and spent the majority of his minor hockey career playing in the Calgary area....
(1993–94)
Most penalty minutes: 505 - Kerry Toporowski (1990–91)
Best goals against average, goaltender: 1.97 - Dustin Tokarski
Dustin Tokarski
Dustin Tokarski is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League . He is a prospect of the Tampa Bay Lightning, drafted by the National Hockey League team as their fifth round selection, 122nd overall at the 2008 NHL Entry...
(2008–09
2008–09 WHL season
The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...
)
Most shutouts, goaltender: 15 - Dustin Tokarski
Dustin Tokarski
Dustin Tokarski is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League . He is a prospect of the Tampa Bay Lightning, drafted by the National Hockey League team as their fifth round selection, 122nd overall at the 2008 NHL Entry...
(2006–07, 2007–08
2007–08 WHL season
The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008....
, 2008–09)
Most saves, goaltender: 2,007 - Troy Gamble
Troy Gamble
Troy C. Gamble was a National Hockey League goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks from 1987–1992.- Career :...
(1987–88)
Most regular season wins, goaltender: 85 - James Reid
James Reid (ice hockey)
James Reid is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender. He plays for the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League .-External links:...
(2008–09, 2009–10
2009–10 WHL season
The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010...
, 2010–11
2010–11 WHL season
The 2010–11 WHL season is the 45th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 24, 2010 and ended on March 20, 2011. The 2010 Subway Super Series, featuring Team WHL versus Team Russia, took place from November 17–18, 2010....
)
Most single-season games played, goaltender: 67 - Troy Gamble
Troy Gamble
Troy C. Gamble was a National Hockey League goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks from 1987–1992.- Career :...
(1987–88)
Most points in standings, team: 107 (2007–08)
Most wins, team: 50 (1995–96), (2007–08)
Longest game: 2:26:05 - 4 OT's (vs. Vancouver - April 10, 2009) (2nd longest game in WHL history)
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 President's Cup (WHL) The Ed Chynoweth Cup is an ice hockey club championship trophy awarded to the playoff champion of the Western Hockey League . Originally called the President's Cup when the league was founded in 1966, the trophy was renamed in 2007 to honour Ed Chynoweth's long service to junior hockey in Canada... and Memorial Cup 1991 Memorial Cup The 1991 Memorial Cup occurred May 11-May 19 at the Colisée de Québec in Quebec City, Quebec. Participating teams were the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion Chicoutimi Saguenéens and runner-up Drummondville Voltigeurs, as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League and Western Hockey... |
| 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 Memorial Cup The 1998 Memorial Cup occurred May 9-17 at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Washington. Participating teams were the host Spokane Chiefs and the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the Guelph Storm, Val-d'Or... |
| 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 2007–08 WHL season The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008.... |
72 | 50 | 15 | 1 | 6 | 251 | 160 | 107 | 2nd U.S. | Won WHL championship and Memorial Cup 2008 Memorial Cup -Semi-final:-Final:-Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:-Award winners:*Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy : Dustin Tokarski, Spokane*George Parsons Trophy : Matthew Halischuk, Kitchener... |
| 2008–09 2008–09 WHL season The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took... |
72 | 46 | 23 | 0 | 3 | 246 | 145 | 95 | 2nd U.S. | Lost Western Conference semi-final |
| 2009–10 2009–10 WHL season The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010... |
72 | 45 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 240 | 179 | 95 | 3rd U.S. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2010–11 2010–11 WHL season The 2010–11 WHL season is the 45th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 24, 2010 and ended on March 20, 2011. The 2010 Subway Super Series, featuring Team WHL versus Team Russia, took place from November 17–18, 2010.... |
72 | 48 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 310 | 193 | 102 | 2nd U.S. | Lost Western Conference final |
Playoff history
- 1985–86: Lost to Portland Winter Hawks 5 games to 4 in Conference semi-finals.
- 1986–87: Lost to Portland Winter Hawks 5 games to 0 in Conference semi-finals.
- 1987–88: Defeated Victoria Cougars 5 games to 3 in Conference semi-finals.
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 semi-finals
- 1990–91: Defeated Seattle Thunderbirds 5 games to 1 in Conference semi-finals.
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 quarter-finals.
Lost to Seattle Thunderbirds 3 games to 1 in Conference semi-finals. - 1992–93: Defeated Tacoma Rockets 4 games to 3 in Conference quarter-finals.
Lost to Kamloops Blazers 3 games to 0 in Conference semi-finals. - 1993–94: Lost to Seattle Thunderbirds 3 games to 0 in Conference quarter-finals.
- 1994–95: Advanced past round-robin tournament with 3–1 record.
Lost to Tri-City Americans 4 games to 3 in Conference semi-finals. - 1995–96: Defeated Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 3 in Conference quarter-finals.
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 quarter-finals.
Lost to Prince George Cougars 3 games to 0 in Conference semi-finals. - 1997–98: Defeated Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 3 in Conference quarter-finals.
Defeated Prince George Cougars 3 games to 1 in Conference semi-finals.
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 Semi-Final to Guelph Storm. - 1998–99: Out of playoffs.
- 1999–00: Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 0 in Conference quarter-finals.
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 quarter-finals.
Defeated Seattle Thunderbirds 3 games to 0 in Conference semi-finals.
Lost to Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 1 in Conference finals. - 2001–02: Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 1 in Conference quarter-finals.
Lost to Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 2 in Conference semi-finals. - 2002–03: Defeated Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 3 in Conference quarter-finals.
Lost to Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 0 in Conference semi-finals. - 2003–04: Lost to Everett Silvertips 4 games to 0 in Conference quarter-finals.
- 2004–05: Out of playoffs.
- 2005–06: Out of playoffs.
- 2006–07: Lost to Everett Silvertips 4 games to 2 in Conference quarter-finals.
- 2007–08: Defeated Everett Silvertips 4 games to 0 in Conference quarter-finals.
Defeated Vancouver Giants 4 games to 2 in Conference semi-finals.
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 quarter-finals.
Lost to Vancouver Giants 4 games to 3 in Conference semi-finals. - 2009–10: Lost to Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 3 in Conference quarter-finals.
- 2010–11: Defeated Chilliwack Bruins 4 games to 1 in Conference quarter-finals.
Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 2 in Conference semi-finals.
Lost to Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 2 in Conference finals. - All-Time Playoff Record (Not Including Memorial Cup Games): 126–113
- All-Time Memorial Cup Tournament Record: 9–3
Head coaches and all-time regular season records
- 1985–86 Ernie Gare Jr. (1–5–0)
- 1985–86 Marc Pezzin (30–41–1)
- 1986–87 Peter Esdale (37–33–2)
- 1987–89 Butch Goring (39–41–3)
- 1989 (Interim)- Bob Strumm (2–4–0)
- 1988–89 Gary Braun (21–32–2)
- 1989–94 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)
- 1994–00 Mike Babcock (234–169–29–2)
- 1997 (Interim)- Brian Cox (5–2–0)
- 2000–02 Perry Ganchar (68–53–18–5)
- 2003–05 Al Conroy (82–103–18–13)
- 2005–2008 Bill Peters (111–81–10–12)
- 2008 (Interim) Leigh Mendelson (1–0)
- 2008–10 Hardy Sauter (91–45–3–5)
- 2010-Current Don Nachbaur (48–18–4–2)
General managers
- 1985–86' Marc Pezzin
- 1986–89' Bob Strumm
- 1989–90' Brian Maxwell
- 1990–Present' Tim Speltz
Radio and television coverage
Spokane Chiefs games are broadcast on AM 1510 KGA throughout Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and parts of British Columbia. The current play-by-play broadcaster of the Chiefs is Mike Boyle, a fill-in sports anchor/reporter for KREM 2. Jay Stewart was the radio voice for Spokane through the 2001 season, taking over for longtime broadcaster Craig West who left the organization over a dispute with management to join the Tri-City AmericansTri-City Americans
The Tri-City Americans are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League, based in Kennewick, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center...
. Jay Stewart is now the Director of Public Relations for the Spokane Chiefs and is the television announcer during live games.
Spokane is the only U.S. team in the WHL that can regularly be seen on television in Canada. Spokane's ABC, CBS and NBC television stations are available in Calgary, AB., Edmonton, AB., Saskatoon, SK., and other cities in Western and Central Canada.
A half-dozen games are televised in Spokane on SWX Right Now
SWX Right Now
SWX Right Now is a digital subchannel broadcasting high school and college sports, and automated weather information of interest to viewers throughout Eastern Washington state...
, a sports and weather channel owned by KHQ-TV
KHQ-TV
KHQ-TV, virtual channel 6, is the NBC affiliate for Spokane, Washington. It broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 15. The station is owned by The KHQ Television Group, a subsidiary of Cowles Publishing Company, which owns The Spokesman-Review newspaper...
.
Arenas
- 1950–1995 Spokane ColiseumSpokane ColiseumSpokane Coliseum was an indoor arena, located in Spokane, Washington. It opened in 1954 and had a capacity of 5,400.It was host to a number of teams, including the Spokane Chiefs, of the WHL...
(5,400 capacity) - 1995–Present Spokane Veterans Memorial ArenaSpokane Veterans Memorial ArenaSpokane Veterans Memorial Arena a multi-purpose arena, located in Spokane, Washington, USA.It is home to the Spokane Chiefs, of the WHL and the Spokane Shock, of the AFL.-Construction:...
(10,759 current hockey capacity)
Spokane Arena hockey attendance records
- Largest crowds: 10,759 vs. Tri-City (7 times since 1995), 10,751 Spokane vs. Val d'Or (1998 Memorial Cup opener), 10,700 vs. Tri-City (8 times since 1995), 10,650 vs. Tri-City (2 times since 1995), 10,538 vs. Tri-City (5 times since 1995), 10,530 vs. Tri City (2010), 10,529 vs. Tri-City (2 times in 2010), 10,475 vs. Tri-City (2 times in 2011), 10,431 vs. Tri-City (4 times since 1995)
- Smallest crowd: 3,025 Spokane vs. Kelowna (February 8, 2006)
- 1995–96 Sellouts: 11 (Includes NHL Exhibition Game)
- 1996–97 Sellouts: 10
- 1997–98 Sellouts: 14 (Includes 8 Memorial Cup Games)
- 1998–99 Sellouts: 9
- 1999–00 Sellouts: 10
- 2000–01 Sellouts: 6
- 2001–02 Sellouts: 7
- 2002–03 Sellouts: 5
- 2003–04 Sellouts: 4
- 2004–05 Sellouts: 2
- 2005–06 Sellouts: 1
- 2006–07 Sellouts: 2
- 2007–08 Sellouts: 3
- 2008–09 Sellouts: 4
- 2009–10 Sellouts: 5
- 2010-11 Sellouts: 3* (Includes Rockstar Outdoor Hockey Classic)
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 |