Spokane Chiefs

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Spokane Chiefs
City: Spokane, Washington
League: Western Hockey League
Conference: Western
Division: U.S.
Founded: 1985-86
Home Arena: Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena
Colours: Red, White and Blue
Head Coach: Bill Peters
General Manager: Tim Speltz
Franchise history
1982-85: Kelowna Wings
1985-Present: Spokane Chiefs

The Spokane Chiefs are a major junior hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League based out of Spokane, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, capacity 10,366- the 3rd largest WHL arena, and the 2nd largest Arena in the Western Hockey League that is not used for professional sports.

There are 11 Championship Hockey Banners hanging from the rafters at the Spokane Arena. Seven belong to the Chiefs.
There are 11 Championship Hockey Banners hanging from the rafters at the Spokane Arena. Seven belong to the Chiefs.

Their uniforms are similar to those of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens. The Chiefs are the only team in Western Hockey League history to come back from an 0-3 deficit in a playoff series, and win 4-3. Hockey has a long and steady history in Spokane. It is the only city in the United States. where a majority of residents pick hockey as their favorite sport. Consequently, Spokane ranks at or near the top of the WHL and Canadian Hockey Leagues in attendance. [1]

Memorial Cup Championships: 1 (1990-91)
Memorial Cup Appearances: 2 (1990-91, 1997-98)
WHL Championships: 1 (1990-91)
WHL Championship Appearances: 3 (1990-91, 1995-96, 1999-00)
WHL Western Conf. Championships: 3 (1990-91, 1995-96, 1999-00)
WHL West/U.S. Division Championships: 2 (1995-96, 1999-00)
Playoff Appearances: 17 (1985-86, 1986-87, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2006-07)

Contents

[edit] History

The Spokane Chiefs franchise was granted in 1982 to Kelowna, British Columbia as the Kelowna Wings. They moved to Spokane in 1985.

The Chiefs won the Memorial Cup and President's Cup in 1991, and have won two division titles, and three Western Conference titles. They are 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 Portland in 1995.

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 returned to greatness in 1995 - the team's first year in the Spokane Arena. The Arena hosted many memorable events in that 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, and were one goal away from advancing to the final game to take on WHL rival Portland. But an overtime victory by the Guelph Storm sent the Chiefs home for the year. Still, Spokane set an attendance record for the Memorial Cup. In 1999, 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.

The Chiefs celebrate a much-deserved playoff win versus Everett in 2007.
The Chiefs celebrate a much-deserved playoff win versus Everett in 2007.

Since 2001, the Chiefs have struggled to find an identity. The organization has gone through three head coaches in five years (Perry Ganchar, Al Conroy, Bill Peters), and none have found the winning touch. Still, Spokane fans turn out to support their team. The Chiefs average between 6,000-7,000 fans per game- one of the top figures in the Western Hockey League. Chiefs fans are known for the robust support- and an Italian goal song. 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 often sold out, and sell-outs are always expected when the Tri-City Americans come to town.

For the first time in two years, the Chiefs are headed back to the playoffs. They'll finish the 2006-2007 season with the best record in six years. Still, the contract situation of Head Coach Bill Peters is up in the air. His two-year deal ends this year. Chiefs General Manager Tim Speltz has not said whether the team will bring Peters back. It is thought that assistant coach Steve Pleau, formerly of the St. Louis Blues organization, is eagerly awaiting a chance to Head Coach.

[edit] Players

[edit] Current Roster

Number Player Position Birthyear Hometown
2 Sean Zimmerman D 1987 Spokane, Washington Flag of United States
3 Ryan Bryce LW 1987 Red Deer, Alberta Flag of Canada
4 Mike Reddington D 1990 Port Coquitlam, British Columbia Flag of Canada
6 Stephane Lenoski D 1986 Winnipeg, Manitoba Flag of Canada
7 Evan Haw D 1986 Fort McMurray, Alberta Flag of Canada
8 Cody Esposito LW 1989 Airdrie, Alberta Flag of Canada
9 David Linsley C 1987 Outlook, Saskatchewan Flag of Canada
10 Adam Hobson C 1987 Mission, British Columbia Flag of Canada
11 Derek Ryan C 1986 Spokane, Washington Flag of United States
12 Chris Bruton C 1987 Calgary, Alberta Flag of Canada
14 Mitch Wahl C 1990 Seal Beach, California Flag of United States
15 Justin Falk D 1988 Snowflake, Manitoba Flag of Canada
16 J.P. Szaszkiewicz LW 1988 Edmonton, Alberta Flag of Canada
17 Michael Grabner RW 1987 Villach, Austria Flag of Austria
18 Jared Spurgeon D 1989 Edmonton, Alberta Flag of Canada
19 Chris Langkow C 1989 Vegreville, Alberta Flag of Canada
20 David Rutherford C 1987 Ladner, British Columbia Flag of Canada
21 Ondrej Roman LW 1989 Ostrava, Czech Republic Flag of Czech Republic
23 Judd Blackwater C 1987 Lethbridge, Alberta Flag of Canada
25 Levko Koper C 1990 Edmonton, Alberta Flag of Canada
26 Seth Compton LW 1990 West Richland, Washington Flag of United States
27 Drayson Bowman LW 1989 Littleton, Colorado Flag of United States
31 Kevin Armstrong G 1987 Winnipeg, Manitoba Flag of Canada
34 Dustin Tokarski G 1989 Watson, Saskatchewan Flag of Canada

[edit] NHL Alumni

[edit] Club Records

Most Goals: 68 - Valeri Bure (1992-93)

Most Assists: 118 - Ray Whitney (1990-91)

Most Points: 185 - Ray Whitney (1990-91)

Most Penalty Minutes: 505 - Kerry Toporowski (1990-91)

Best Goals Against Average, Goaltender: 2.58 - Barry Brust (2001-02)

Most Shutouts, Goaltender: 4 - Scott Bailey (1990-91), David Lemanowicz (1995-96), Jim Watt (2004-05)

Most Saves, Goaltender: 2,007 - Troy Gamble (1987-88)

Most Games Played, Goaltender: 67 - Troy Gamble (1987-88)

Most Points In Standings, Team: 104 (1995-96)

Most Wins, Team: 50 (1995-96)

[edit] Season-by-season Record

[edit] 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 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 21 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 74 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. Playoffs in Progress
ALL-TIME RECORD: 1584GP, 742W 707L 93T 36OTL 7SL

[edit] 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.
  • 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 5 games to 0 in WHL finals. WHL CHAMPIONS
    Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in first place.
    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.
    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, 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.
  • All-Time Playoff Record (Not Including Memorial Cup Games): 82-76

[edit] Executives

[edit] Head Coaches & All-Time Regular Season Records

  • 1987-89 Butch Goring (39-41-3)
  • 1989-94 Bryan Maxwell (174-166-20)
  • 1994 (Interim)- Tim Speltz (1-0)
  • 1994 (Interim)- Perry Shockey (0-1)
  • 1994-00 Mike Babcock (234-169-29-2)
  • 2000-02 Perry Ganchar (68-53-18-5)
  • 2003-05 Al Conroy (82-103-18-13)
  • 2005- Bill Peters (61-67-9-7)

[edit] General Managers

  • 1989- Tim Speltz

[edit] Arenas

[edit] Spokane Arena Hockey Attendance Records

The view from atop the 2nd deck of the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. It's the largest hockey arena in Washington state.
The view from atop the 2nd deck of the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. It's the largest hockey arena in Washington state.
  • Largest Crowds: 10,759 vs. Tri-City (7 times since 1995), 10,751 Spokane vs. Val d'Or (1998 Memorial Cup Opener) and 10,700 vs. Tri-City (8 times since 1995), 10,650 vs. Tri-City (2 times since 1995)
  • Smallest Crowd: 3,025 Spokane vs. Kelowna (February 8, 2006)
  • 1995-96 Sellouts: 11 (Includes Playoff Games and NHL Exhibition Game)
  • 1996-97 Sellouts: 10 (Includes Playoff Games)
  • 1997-98 Sellouts: 14 (Includes 8 Memorial Cup Games)
  • 1998-99 Sellouts: 9
  • 1999-00 Sellouts: 10 (Includes Playoff Games)
  • 2000-01 Sellouts: 6 (Includes Playoff Games)
  • 2001-02 Sellouts: 7
  • 2002-03 Sellouts: 5
  • 2003-04 Sellouts: 4
  • 2004-05 Sellouts: 2
  • 2005-06 Sellouts: 1
  • 2006-07 Sellouts: 2

[edit] 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
1999-00 226,974 7,092 36 1st
2000-01 231,960 6,627 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 6th
2006-07 220,019 6,112 36 5th

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Western Hockey League
Current teams : Brandon Wheat Kings | Calgary Hitmen | Chilliwack Bruins | Everett Silvertips | Kamloops Blazers | Kelowna Rockets | Kootenay Ice | Lethbridge Hurricanes | Medicine Hat Tigers | Moose Jaw Warriors | Portland Winter Hawks | Prince Albert Raiders | Prince George Cougars | Red Deer Rebels | Regina Pats | Saskatoon Blades | Seattle Thunderbirds | Spokane Chiefs | Swift Current Broncos | Tri-City Americans | Vancouver Giants
Expansion for 2007-08 : Edmonton Oil Kings
CHL: Memorial Cup | President's Cup | OHL | QMJHL | WHL
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