Spokane Chiefs
Spokane Chiefs | |
---|---|
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 |
Website | www.spokanechiefs.com |
Franchise history | |
1982–1985 | Kelowna Wings |
1985–present | Spokane Chiefs |
Championships | |
Playoff championships | Ed Chynoweth Cup 2 (1991, 2008) Conference Championships 1 (2007–08) Memorial Cup 2 (1991, 2008) |
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[update], Spokane ranked in the top 10 in the Canadian Hockey League in attendance.[1][needs update] 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[edit]
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.[2] 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.'[3]
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.[4]
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.[5] 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.[6]
Outdoor hockey game[edit]
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.[7]
Players[edit]
Current roster[edit]
Updated March 30, 2024.[8]
NHL alumni[edit]
- 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[edit]
Regular season[edit]
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[edit]
- 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[edit]
Playoff history[edit]
- 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[edit]
Head coaches and all-time regular season records[edit]
- 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)[9]
- 2020–2022 Adam Maglio (18-36-9)
- 2022 (Interim) Ryan Smith (12-14-1)
- 2022–Present Ryan Smith [10]
General managers[edit]
- 1985–1986 Marc Pezzin
- 1986–1989 Bob Strumm
- 1989–1990 Brian Maxwell
- 1990–2016 Tim Speltz
- 2016–2022 Scott Carter
- 2022–Present Matt Bardsley [11]
Radio and television coverage[edit]
Spokane Chiefs games are broadcast on AM 1510 KGA throughout Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and parts of British Columbia.[12]
Arenas[edit]
- 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[edit]
Season | Total attendance | Average [13] | 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[14] | 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 |
References[edit]
- ^ "League Attendance Report". Mib.org. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
- ^ "The Spokesman-Review - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
- ^ 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) - ^ 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.
- ^ "Spokane Chiefs decline to pick up option on head coach Hardy Sauter's contract - NHL.com - News". NHL.com. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
- ^ "Don Nachbaur will coach Chiefs: Official announcement will be made at press conference Wednesday". American Chronicle. 2007-05-14. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
- ^ "Blanchette: Chiefs lit the fuse on perfect outdoor outcome". spokesman.com.
- ^ WHL Network, Western Hockey League, retrieved 2024-03-30
- ^ "Manny Viveiros Hired as Chiefs' Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 9, 2019.
- ^ "Chiefs name Smith Head Coach, Donaghy an Assistant". Spokane Chiefs. June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Chiefs appoint Bardsley as General Manager". Spokane Chiefs. May 3, 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Spokane Chiefs [WHL] yearly attendance at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
- ^ "2016-17 Season In Review: Bright Future Ahead – Spokane Chiefs". Retrieved 2023-02-22.