Spokane_Chiefs

Spokane Chiefs

Spokane Chiefs

Western Hockey League team in Spokane, Washington

This article is about the current WHL junior hockey team. For the defunct senior hockey team, see Spokane Chiefs (WIHL).

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, 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.

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History

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

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]

The Chiefs won the Western Conference Championship cup in 1991, 1996, 2000 and 2008.

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 lower the Memorial Cup via rope, from the roof of the Spokane Arena on Opening Night 2008. Four months earlier, the Cup broke in the Chiefs hands during the celebration in Kitchener, Ontario.
On September 27, 2008, the Chiefs unveiled their WHL and Memorial Cup Championship banners.

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

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

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

Current roster

Updated March 30, 2024.[8]

More information #, Nat ...

NHL alumni

Season-by-season record

Regular season

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

SeasonGP W L T OTLGF GA PointsFinishPlayoffs
1985–867230411-373413613rd WestLost West Division semi-final
1986–877237332-374350763rd WestLost West Division semi-final
1987–887237323-330296772nd WestLost West Division final
1988–897225452-326419566th WestOut of playoffs
1989–907230375-334344654th WestLost West Division semi-final
1990–917248231-435275972nd WestWon WHL championship and Memorial Cup
1991–927237296-267270802nd WestLost West Division semi-final
1992–937228404-311319605th WestLost West Division semi-final
1993–947231374-324320665th WestLost West Division quarter-final
1994–957232364-244261685th WestLost West Division semi-final
1995–967250184-3222211041st WestLost WHL finals
1996–977235334-260235743rd WestLost West Division semi-final
1997–987245234-288235942nd WestLost West Division final & Lost Memorial Cup
1998–997219449-193268477th WestOut of playoffs
1999–00724719422721911001st WestLost WHL finals
2000–0172352872242219794th WestLost West Division final
2001–02723325113223206802nd U.S.Lost Western Conference semi-final
2002–0372263664216261622nd U.S.Lost Western Conference semi-final
2003–0472322947200215754th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2004–0572243882192230585th U.S.Out of playoffs
SeasonGP W L OTL SOLGF GA PointsFinishPlayoffs
2005–0672253953193254585th U.S.Out of playoffs
2006–0772362844232217804th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2007–08725015162511601072nd U.S.Won WHL championship and Memorial Cup
2008–0972462303246145952nd U.S.Lost Western Conference semi-final
2009–1072452232240179953rd U.S.Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2010–11724818423101931022nd U.S.Lost Western Conference final
2011–1272382554257225853rd U.S.Lost Western Conference semi-final
2012–1372442620269230902nd U.S.Lost Western Conference semi-final
2013–1472402633244213864th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2014–1572343431219229724th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2015–1672333054223245754th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2016–1772273384235272665th U.S.Out of playoffs
2017–1872412533282240883rd U.S.Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2018–1968402125267222872nd U.S.Lost Western Conference final
2019–2064411841258179873rd U.S.Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–2121610415579174th U.S.No playoffs were held
2021–2268243941188289534th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2022–2368154346195314405th U.S.Out of playoffs
2023–2468303251268263664th U.S.Lost Western Conference Quarter-finals

WHL Championship history

Memorial Cup finals history

  • 1991 Win, 5-1 vs Drummondville
  • 2008 Win, 4-1 vs Kitchener

Playoff history

  • 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

Head coaches and all-time regular season records

  • 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

  • 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

Spokane Chiefs games are broadcast on AM 1510 KGA throughout Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and parts of British Columbia.[12]

Arenas

The Spokane Arena is the home of the Spokane Chiefs.

Chiefs attendance averages and WHL attendance rank

SeasonTotal attendanceAverage [13]GamesWHL rank
1996–97281,7437,826362nd
1997–98289,7358,048362nd
1998–99259,1507,404362nd
1999–00255,9747,110361st
2000–01231,9606,443362nd
2001–02229,3086,369363rd
2002–03219,5866,099363rd
2003–04226,5506,293363rd
2004–05225,0026,250364th
2005–06219,8026,105365th
2006–07220,0196,112364th
2007–08236,0566,557363rd
2008–09239,6206,656363rd
2009–10243,3706,760363rd
2010–11231,8116,439363rd
2011–12231,9466,442362nd
2012–13229,2326,368363rd
2013–14219,6626,101364th
2014–15209, 8365,829365th
2015-16 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

  1. [1]
    "League Attendance Report". Mib.org. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  2. [2]
    "The Spokesman-Review - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  3. [3]
    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)
  4. [4]
    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.
  5. [5]
    "Spokane Chiefs decline to pick up option on head coach Hardy Sauter's contract - NHL.com - News". NHL.com. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  6. [6]
    "Don Nachbaur will coach Chiefs: Official announcement will be made at press conference Wednesday". American Chronicle. 2007-05-14. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  7. [7]
    "Blanchette: Chiefs lit the fuse on perfect outdoor outcome". spokesman.com.
  8. [8]
    WHL Network, Western Hockey League, retrieved 2024-03-30
  9. [9]
    "Manny Viveiros Hired as Chiefs' Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 9, 2019.
  10. [10]
    "Chiefs name Smith Head Coach, Donaghy an Assistant". Spokane Chiefs. June 26, 2022.
  11. [11]
    "Chiefs appoint Bardsley as General Manager". Spokane Chiefs. May 3, 2022.
  12. [12]
    "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.
  13. [13]
    "Spokane Chiefs [WHL] yearly attendance at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  14. [14]
    "2016-17 Season In Review: Bright Future Ahead – Spokane Chiefs". Retrieved 2023-02-22.
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