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Spokane Chiefs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Spokane Chiefs
CitySpokane, Washington
LeagueWestern Hockey League
ConferenceWestern
DivisionU.S.
Founded1982
Home arenaSpokane Veterans Memorial Arena
ColorsRed, white and blue
     
General managerMatt Bardsley
Head coachBrad Lauer[1]
Websitechl.ca/whl-chiefs
Franchise history
1982–1985Kelowna Wings
1985–presentSpokane Chiefs
Championships
Playoff championshipsEd Chynoweth Cup
2 (1991, 2008)
Memorial Cup
2 (1991, 2008)
Current uniform

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—the second American team to win the title—winning in 1991 and 2008. Spokane hosted the first outdoor game in WHL history on January 15, 2011, at Avista Stadium.

History

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Origins

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The original Spokane Chiefs were a senior team that played in the Western International Hockey League (WIHL) from 1982 to 1985, the last of several Spokane teams to play in the league dating back to the 1940s. In their final year, the Chiefs were the regular season and playoff WIHL champions.[2][3] In 1982, Kelowna, British Columbia, was awarded an expansion team in the junior Western Hockey League; the Kelowna Wings played three seasons before the team relocated to Spokane in 1985 and took up the Chiefs name.[4] The Chiefs became the second WHL team in Spokane after the short-lived Flyers, a team that stemmed from the WHL-charter member Flin Flon Bombers and operated from 1980 to 1982, when the team folded.[5] The team began playing in the Spokane Coliseum, which had been hosting hockey since the 1950s.[6]

First title and the 1990s

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The Chiefs found relatively early success in Spokane, missing the playoffs only once in the team's first thirteen seasons. In their sixth season, led by Pat Falloon and Ray Whitney—both of whom would be drafted that summer by the National Hockey League's expansion San Jose Sharks—the team secured its WHL championship.[7] The title helped to save the team, which was struggling financially; in 1990, the team was sold to new ownership, and hired two figures who had played roles in the Medicine Hat Tigers' 1987 Memorial Cup title in coach Bryan Maxwell and 32-year old general manager Tim Speltz.[8] The 1990–91 season saw Whitney lead the league with 67 goals and 185 points, with Falloon trailing just behind with 64 goals and 138 points; meanwhile, the team saw what started the season as a half-full arena for home games start to sell-out.[8] At the trade deadline, Speltz added goaltender Trevor Kidd, who proved essential to the team's success.[9] In the playoffs, the Chiefs avenged a loss from the previous year against the defending champion Kamloops Blazers before dispatching the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the league final in four straight games.[10] The team went on to secure the 1991 Memorial Cup, defeating the Drummondville Voltigeurs 5–1 in the championship game to become the second American team after the Portland Winter Hawks to win the title.[10]

In 1995, the 1991 championship team was one of several Spokane hockey teams honoured as part of the closing of the Coliseum.[11] Later that year, the Chiefs moved to the new Spokane Arena.[12] In 2016, Whitney became the first player to have his number retired by the organization.[13]

The team played in two more league finals, in 1996 and 2000, losing both. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs only once during the decade.

Second title and the 2000s

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Although the Chiefs missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in 2004–05 and 2005–06, the team achieved record success in 2007–08. Led by goaltender Dustin Tokarski, along with Jared Cowan and rookie Tyler Johnson, the Chiefs set a franchise record with 50 wins and 107 points. Like in 1991, they defeated the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the WHL championship in four game—with Johnson being named the playoff's most valuable player—to advance to the team's second Memorial Cup tournament.[14] There, they defeated the Kitchener Rangers in the final by a score of 4–1; Tokarski's 53 saves in the final led to him being named the tournament's most valuable player.[15] During the team's celebration with the trophy, its cup famously separated from its base, leaving the replica of the storied trophy in two pieces.[16] Spokane native Johnson would go on to a successful career with the Chiefs, and in 2022 he became the second alumnus to have his jersey number retired by the club.[17]

After their second Memorial Cup title, the Chiefs remained competitive for several seasons. In 2010, the Chiefs lost a playoff series to Portland four games to three; it was the first series in league history in which the home team did not win a game.[18] The team entered a rebuilding phase in the late 2010s, a period disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[19]

Outdoor game and fan support

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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.

Spokane hosted the Western Hockey League's first ever outdoor game on January 15, 2011 against the rival Kootenay Ice. The game, dubbed the "Outdoor Hockey Classic", was played at Avista Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd of 7,075.[20] The Chiefs won the game by a score of 11–2.[21]

Spokane has developed a reputation for strong support for the Chiefs, drawing large crowds recognized for their local traditions, like clapping in unison to celebrate goals.[22] Attendance was especially strong coming off of the team's first championship in 1991, jumping thirty percent the following season, and helping the team commit to plans to build a new, larger arena.[5] The team has since consistently ranked near the top of the WHL for attendance—for instance, in 2022–23, despite failing to qualify for the playoffs, the Chiefs were ranked second in the league for average attendance.[19]

Season-by-season record

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Regular season

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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

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 semifinal
1986–87 72 37 33 2 - 374 350 76 3rd West Lost West Division semifinal
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 Did not qualify
1989–90 72 30 37 5 - 334 344 65 4th West Lost West Division semifinal
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 semifinal
1992–93 72 28 40 4 - 311 319 60 5th West Lost West Division semifinal
1993–94 72 31 37 4 - 324 320 66 5th West Lost West Division quarterfinal
1994–95 72 32 36 4 - 244 261 68 5th West Lost West Division semifinal
1995–96 72 50 18 4 - 322 221 104 1st West Lost final
1996–97 72 35 33 4 - 260 235 74 3rd West Lost West Division semifinal
1997–98 72 45 23 4 - 288 235 94 2nd West Lost West Division final
1998–99 72 19 44 9 - 193 268 47 7th West Did not qualify
1999–00 72 47 19 4 2 272 191 100 1st West Lost final
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 semifinal
2002–03 72 26 36 6 4 216 261 62 2nd U.S. Lost Western Conference semifinal
2003–04 72 32 29 4 7 200 215 75 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2004–05 72 24 38 8 2 192 230 58 5th U.S. Did not qualify
Season GP W L OTL SOL GF GA Points Finish Playoffs
2005–06 72 25 39 5 3 193 254 58 5th U.S. Did not qualify
2006–07 72 36 28 4 4 232 217 80 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2007–08 72 50 15 1 6 251 160 107 2nd U.S. Won Championship and Memorial Cup
2008–09 72 46 23 0 3 246 145 95 2nd U.S. Lost Western Conference semifinal
2009–10 72 45 22 3 2 240 179 95 3rd U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
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 semifinal
2012–13 72 44 26 2 0 269 230 90 2nd U.S. Lost Western Conference semifinal
2013–14 72 40 26 3 3 244 213 86 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2014–15 72 34 34 3 1 219 229 72 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2015–16 72 33 30 5 4 223 245 75 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2016–17 72 27 33 8 4 235 272 66 5th U.S. Did not qualify
2017–18 72 41 25 3 3 282 240 88 3rd U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
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 held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22 68 24 39 4 1 188 289 53 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2022–23 68 15 43 4 6 195 314 40 5th U.S. Did not qualify
2023–24 68 30 32 5 1 268 263 66 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal

Playoff history

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The Chiefs have won the Western Conference Championship four times, in 1991, 1996, 2000, and 2008.
  • 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: Did not qualify.
  • 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: Did not qualify.
  • 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: Did not qualify.
  • 2005–06: Did not qualify.
  • 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: Did not qualify.
  • 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.
  • 2023–24: Lost to Prince George 4 games to 0 in first round.
  • All-Time WHL Playoff record: 151–145
  • All-Time Memorial Cup tournament record: 9–3
On September 27, 2008, the Chiefs unveiled their WHL and Memorial Cup Championship banners.

Championship history

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The Memorial Cup is lowered via rope from the roof of Spokane Arena on opening night, 2008. Four months earlier, the Cup broke in the Chiefs' hands during their on-ice celebration.

WHL Championship series

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Memorial Cup finals

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Players

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NHL alumni

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Retired numbers

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Players who have had their numbers retired by the Chiefs:

# Player Ref.
9 Tyler Johnson [23]
14 Ray Whitney [13]

Executives

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Head coaches

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All-time regular season records in parentheses.

  • 1985 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)
  • 1989 Gary Braun (21–32–2)
  • 1989–1994 Bryan Maxwell (165–155–22)
  • 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 (261–190–30–19)
  • 2017–2019 Dan Lambert (81–46–5–8)
  • 2019–2020 Manny Viveiros (41-18-5)
  • 2020–2022 Adam Maglio (18-36-9)
  • 2022–2024 Ryan Smith (42-46-7)
  • 2024–present Brad Lauer (0-0-0)

General managers

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  • 1985–1986 Marc Pezzin
  • 1986–1989 Bob Strumm
  • 1989–1990 Brian Maxwell
  • 1990–2016 Tim Speltz
  • 2016–2022 Scott Carter
  • 2022–present Matt Bardsley[24]

Radio and television coverage

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Spokane Chiefs games are broadcast on AM 1510 KGA throughout Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and parts of British Columbia.[25]

The Chiefs play home games at Spokane Arena.

Arenas

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Chiefs attendance

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Table includes average attendance and WHL attendance rank.

Season Total attendance Average[26] 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[27] 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 5,342 34 5th
2023–24 205,500[28] 6,044 34 3rd

References

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  1. ^ "Chiefs name Brad Lauer as new Head Coach". Spokane Chiefs. July 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "Chiefs pummel Nitros, await next foe". The Spokesman-Review. 1985-03-13 – via Google news.
  3. ^ "Chiefs put another trophy on ice, 8–7". The Spokesman-Review. 1985-04-01 – via Google news.
  4. ^ "WHL History". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  5. ^ a b Lapp, Richard M.; White, Silas (1993). Local Heroes: A History of the Western Hockey League. Madeira Park, British Columbia: Harbour Publishing. pp. 183–185. ISBN 1-55017-080-5.
  6. ^ Jordan, Kevin (2021-10-31). "Spokane Chiefs". WHL Arena Guide. Archived from the original on 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  7. ^ Thompson, Dan (2020-10-07). "Trip down Memorial Lane: 'Scouts were high' on 1990-91 Spokane Chiefs team loaded with talent". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on 2020-10-07. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  8. ^ a b Thompson, Dan (2020-09-10). "Amid ownership change, young and experienced Chiefs win a title". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on 2020-09-11. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  9. ^ Thompson, Dan (2020-09-27). "Trip down Memorial Lane: Deadline deals provide boost Chiefs needed to get past Kamloops". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  10. ^ a b Lapp, Richard; Macaulay, Alec (1997). The Memorial Cup: Canada's National Junior Hockey Championship. Madeira Park, B.C.: Harbour Publishing. pp. 247–251. ISBN 1-55017-170-4.
  11. ^ Weaver, Dan (1995-03-20). "Ceremony Honors Spokane's Best". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on 2016-02-12. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  12. ^ Jordan, Kevin (2022-10-21). "Spokane Chiefs". WHL Arena Guide. Archived from the original on 2023-12-08. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  13. ^ a b "Spokane Chiefs to retire Ray Whitney jersey". The Spokesman-Review. 2016-01-05. Archived from the original on 2016-01-09. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  14. ^ Baker, Geoff (2020-09-22). "To become a two-time Stanley Cup finalist, Spokane area's Tyler Johnson battled every step of the way". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 2020-10-06. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  15. ^ "Spokane Chiefs win Memorial Cup". CBC Sports. 2008-05-25. Archived from the original on 2013-10-06. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  16. ^ "Broken Trophy still beautiful for Memorial Cup champion Spokane Chiefs". The Hockey News. Sports Illustrated. The Canadian Press. 2008-05-25. Archived from the original on 2022-07-07. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  17. ^ Thompson, Dan (2022-02-03). "Spokane Chiefs retiring Tyler Johnson's number is a validation shared by area greats". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on 2022-02-04. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  18. ^ Sepich, Scott (2010-03-30). "WHL playoffs: Spokane beats Portland Winterhawks 4-3 in Game 6 of Western Conference quarterfinals". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  19. ^ a b Dudley, Kevin (2023-03-18). "Analysis: Chiefs' rebuild led to inexperience and missing postseason for first time in five years". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  20. ^ O'Brien, James (2011-01-15). "Spokane Chiefs dismantle Kootenay Ice 11-2 in WHL's 'Rockstar Outdoor Hockey Classic'". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  21. ^ Blanchette, John (2011-01-16). "Chiefs lit the fuse on perfect outdoor outcome". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on 2011-01-19.
  22. ^ Wolfe, Cory (2007-10-28). "On the road again". The Star-Phoenix. Retrieved 2010-07-03 – via canada.com.
  23. ^ Thompson, Dan (2022-02-04). "'Thank you for being my home': Spokane Chiefs honor Tyler Johnson with jersey retirement". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on 2022-02-05. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  24. ^ "Chiefs appoint Bardsley as General Manager". Spokane Chiefs. May 3, 2022.
  25. ^ "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.
  26. ^ "Spokane Chiefs [WHL] yearly attendance at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  27. ^ "2016-17 Season In Review: Bright Future Ahead – Spokane Chiefs". Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  28. ^ Costanzo, Alex (2024-03-21). "Chiefs announce regular season attendance numbers". Spokane Chiefs. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
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