The Spokane Chiefs are a major junior ice hockey team based in Spokane, Washington. This article delves into the rich history of the Spokane Chiefs, a prominent junior ice hockey team based in Spokane, Washington. As a member of the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Western Conference, the Chiefs have established a legacy of excellence, marked by significant achievements and a strong connection with their community.
The Chiefs play their home games at the Numerica Veterans Arena. This arena has been the site of many memorable moments in the team's history.
Spokane Arena, home of the Spokane Chiefs.
Early Years and Formation
The current Spokane Chiefs team began in 1985, succeeding the Kelowna Wings, which played in Kelowna, British Columbia, from 1982 to 1985. It's important to note that the Chiefs were not the first junior hockey team in Spokane; the Flyers existed from 1980 to 1982.
Before the current team, the original Spokane Chiefs were a senior team that played in the Western International Hockey League (WIHL) from 1982 to 1985, marking the end of several Spokane teams in the league since the 1940s.
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Early Success and Playoff Appearances
The Chiefs found relatively early success in Spokane, missing the playoffs only once in the team's first thirteen seasons. The Chiefs quickly became a strong team in Spokane.
The team played in two more league finals, in 1996 and 2000, losing both.
Key Playoff Series
- 1987-88: Defeated Victoria Cougars 5 games to 3 in conference semifinals.
- 1990-91: Defeated Seattle Thunderbirds 5 games to 1 in conference semifinals.
- 1991-92: Defeated Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
- 1992-93: Defeated Tacoma Rockets 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
- 1994-95: Advanced past round-robin tournament with 3-1 record.
- 1995-96: Defeated Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
- 1996-97: Defeated Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
- 1997-98: Defeated Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
- 1999-2000: Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
- 2000-01: Defeated Kamloops Blazers 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
- 2001-02: Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
- 2002-03: Defeated Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
- 2007-08: Defeated Everett Silvertips 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
- 2008-09: Defeated Seattle Thunderbirds 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
- 2010-11: Defeated Chilliwack Bruins 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
- 2011-12: Defeated Vancouver Giants 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
- 2012-13: Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
- 2018-19: Defeated Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
- 2024-25: Defeated Vancouver Giants 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
Memorial Cup Championships
The Chiefs are two-time Memorial Cup champions-the second American team to win the title-winning in 1991 and 2008. They have twice won the Ed Chynoweth Cup, awarded to the WHL champions.
1991 Memorial Cup Victory
The 1990-91 season was amazing! Players like Ray Whitney and Pat Falloon led the team. In the playoffs, the Chiefs beat the defending champions, the Kamloops Blazers. Then, they won the league final against the Lethbridge Hurricanes in four straight games, making them WHL champions!
They went on to win the 1991 Memorial Cup, beating the Drummondville Voltigeurs 5-1 in the final game. In 1991, the Chiefs entered as WHL champions and dominated the tournament in Quebec City, posting an undefeated 4-0 record while outscoring opponents 27-9 across the round-robin and final. They defeated the Drummondville Voltigeurs 7-3 and Chicoutimi Saguenéens 7-1 in round-robin play, followed by an 8-4 win over the Sault Ste.
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2008 Memorial Cup Victory
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. After a few tough seasons, the Chiefs had a record-breaking year in 2007-08. They won 50 games and earned 107 points!
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. Just like in 1991, they beat the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the WHL championship in four games. This win sent them to their second Memorial Cup tournament.
They won the final game 4-1 against the Kitchener Rangers. Tokarski made 53 saves and was named the tournament's most valuable player. Tyler Johnson was named the playoff's most valuable player.
Continued Competitiveness
After their second Memorial Cup title, the Chiefs remained competitive for several seasons. The Chiefs stayed strong for several years after their second Memorial Cup win.
In 2010, they played a playoff series against Portland where the home team didn't win any games. Following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited the 2020-21 season to 21 games with no playoffs held, the Chiefs had bottom finishes in 2021-22 (24-39-4-1, 53 points) and 2022-23 (15-43-4-6, 40 points).
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Outdoor Game
The Chiefs hosted the Kootenay Ice in the WHL's first outdoor game at Avista Stadium in Spokane. Spokane hosted the Western Hockey League's first ever outdoor game on January 15, 2011 against the rival Kootenay Ice. Spokane hosted the very first outdoor game in the Western Hockey League on January 15, 2011. It was called the "Outdoor Hockey Classic" and was played at Avista Stadium.
The WHL's first outdoor game at Avista Stadium in Spokane.
Team Performance and Standings
The Chiefs have consistently demonstrated strong performance in the WHL, securing the U.S. Division title 10 times since 1985. They have had notable streaks in the 1990s and 2010s, establishing themselves as a perennial powerhouse in the American contingent of the WHL.
In 2007-08, they posted a franchise-record 107 points with a 50-15-1-6 mark, securing the division title and the top seed in the Western Conference. Similarly, the 1995-96 campaign yielded 50 wins and 104 points (50-18-4-0), earning another division crown and setting a benchmark for offensive output with 340 goals scored.
Other standout years include 2010-11 (48-18-4-2, 102 points) and 1999-2000 (47-19-4-2, 100 points), both culminating in division championships.
The 2024-25 season marked a resurgence, with the team finishing third in the Western Conference, sweeping their first-round playoff series, and advancing to the WHL Championship final before a 4-1 defeat to the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Over 40 full seasons through the end of 2024-25, the team has amassed 1,389 regular-season wins in 2,801 games played, achieving an overall winning percentage of .539.
The following table summarizes the Chiefs' performance in recent years:
| Season | Record | Points | Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 34-34-3-1 | - | U.S. Division Title |
| 2017-18 | 41-25-0-6 | - | U.S. Division Title |
| 2020-21 | - | - | Season shortened due to COVID-19, no playoffs |
| 2021-22 | 24-39-4-1 | 53 | - |
| 2022-23 | 15-43-4-6 | 40 | - |
| 2023-24 | 30- | 66 | - |
| 2024-25 | 45-20-1-2 | 93 | - |
Playoff History
The Spokane Chiefs have participated in over 100 playoff series since joining the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 1985, compiling an overall postseason record of 164 wins and 152 losses through the 2024-25 season.
The team has qualified for the playoffs in 25 of its 40 seasons, with more than 20 appearances in the conference finals.
Key series highlight the Chiefs' playoff prowess. In 1990-91, Spokane swept through the Western Conference with a 5-1 series victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds in the division semifinals, a 5-0 sweep of the Kamloops Blazers in the division finals, and advanced to the WHL finals.
The 2007-08 postseason featured multiple decisive series wins en route to the WHL championship, including a 4-0 sweep of the Everett Silvertips in the first round, a 4-2 victory over the Vancouver Giants in the second round, a hard-fought 4-3 series win against the Tri-City Americans in the conference finals, and a 4-0 finals sweep of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The 2024-25 season marked another strong run, with the Chiefs defeating the Vancouver Giants 4-1 in the first round, the Victoria Royals 4-2 in the second round, and sweeping the Portland Winter Hawks 4-0 in the conference finals to capture the Western Conference title before falling 1-4 to the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL finals.
Memorial Cup Appearances
The Spokane Chiefs have made several appearances in the Memorial Cup, the prestigious tournament that crowns Canada's top junior hockey club.
The Memorial Cup is the Canadian Hockey League's (CHL) annual playoff championship tournament, contested among the champions of its three member leagues-the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), and Western Hockey League (WHL)-along with a predetermined host team in a round-robin format followed by semifinals and a final.
The following table summarizes the Chiefs' performance in the Memorial Cup tournaments:
| Year | Result | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1990-91 | Won, 4-0 vs. Drummondville Voltigeurs | 3-0 |
| 1995-96 | Lost, 1-4 vs. Peterborough Petes | - |
| 1999-2000 | Lost, 2-4 vs. Rimouski Oceanic | - |
| 2007-08 | Won, 4-0 vs. Kitchener Rangers | 3-0 |
| 2024-25 | Lost, 1-4 vs. Medicine Hat Tigers | - |
The Memorial Cup is lowered via rope from the roof of Spokane Arena on opening night, 2008.
NHL Alumni
The Spokane Chiefs have a strong track record of developing players who go on to have successful careers in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Spokane Chiefs have established themselves as a prolific developer of National Hockey League (NHL) talent within the Western Hockey League (WHL), with 67 players drafted into the NHL since the franchise's inception in 1985.
Among the most accomplished alumni is Ray Whitney, who played 214 regular-season games for the Chiefs from 1988 to 1991, leading the team in scoring during his tenure and contributing to their 1991 Memorial Cup victory. He later recorded 1,064 points over 1,330 NHL games across multiple teams and won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.
The Chiefs' draft history reflects consistent NHL interest, with multiple first-round selections such as Pat Falloon (first overall, 1989 by San Jose) and Kailer Yamamoto (22nd overall, 2017 by Edmonton), who each transitioned to productive NHL roles after their Spokane tenures.
Retired Jersey Numbers
The Spokane Chiefs retire jersey numbers to honor players who have made exceptional contributions to the franchise through on-ice performance, leadership, and lasting legacy, often tied to their subsequent professional achievements and community impact. These honors recognize individuals whose time with the team exemplified excellence and helped elevate the organization's profile in the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Ray Whitney's No. 14
Ray Whitney's No. 14 was the first number retired by the Chiefs, with a pre-game ceremony held on January 29, 2016, at Spokane Arena, where Whitney raised his jersey to the rafters. Whitney played for the Chiefs from 1988 to 1991, appearing in 214 regular-season games and recording 348 points (141 goals and 207 assists), which ranks first in franchise history for total points and assists.
In the 1990-91 season, he set a team record with 185 points (67 goals and 118 assists), earning the Bob Clarke Trophy as WHL scoring champion, the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as WHL MVP, and a spot on the Memorial Cup All-Star Team after leading Spokane to the WHL championship.
Tyler Johnson's No. 9
Tyler Johnson's No. 9 became the second retired number, honored in a pre-game ceremony on February 4, 2022, at Spokane Arena, featuring a banner giveaway to fans and attended by Johnson as a Spokane native. Johnson played for the Chiefs from 2007 to 2011, suiting up for 269 regular-season games and tallying 262 points (107 goals and 155 assists).
A key contributor to the 2008 WHL championship team, he was named Memorial Cup MVP that year and won the Brad Hornung Trophy as WHL humanitarian of the year in 2010-11 after posting 86 points (34 goals and 52 assists).
Tyler Johnson's No. 9 jersey retirement ceremony.
Coaching Staff
The Spokane Chiefs have employed 16 head coaches since joining the Western Hockey League in 1985, reflecting a focus on fostering young talent for professional transitions, particularly to the NHL, through structured development programs and competitive play.
Bryan Maxwell guided the team from 1989 to 1993, compiling a regular season record of 143-129-16 and leading the Chiefs to their first WHL title in 1991, followed by a Memorial Cup victory. Bill Peters took the helm from 2005 to 2008, achieving a 111-82-10 regular season mark (including overtime/shootout losses) and securing the 2008 WHL championship before moving to NHL roles.
Brad Lauer, appointed as the 16th head coach in July 2024, brings extensive NHL assistant experience with teams including the Tampa Bay Lightning (2016-2018) and Winnipeg Jets (2023-2025). In his first full season (2024-25), Lauer posted a 45-20-3 regular season record, advancing to the WHL finals.
General Managers
The general manager of the Spokane Chiefs oversees player acquisition, trades, drafts, and overall roster construction for the Western Hockey League (WHL) team, collaborating briefly with head coaches on building competitive lineups.
Tim Speltz held the position for the longest tenure, from 1990 to 2016, during which the Chiefs achieved significant success, including Memorial Cup championships in 1991 and 2008. Under Speltz, the team amassed 961 regular-season wins across 26 seasons, reaching the playoffs in 23 of those years and establishing a foundation of sustained competitiveness.
Matt Bardsley has been general manager since 2022, emphasizing player development and strategic drafting to foster long-term growth. Under Bardsley, the Chiefs returned to contention, highlighted by the 2024 NHL Draft where Catton was selected eighth overall by the Seattle Kraken after strong development in Spokane.
Broadcast Information
The Spokane Chiefs' games are primarily broadcast on KGA (1510 AM and 103.5 FM, known as 103.5 The Game), which serves as the team's flagship radio station in the Spokane area. Mike Boyle has served as the play-by-play announcer for the Chiefs since 2002, making him one of the longest-tenured broadcasters in WHL history with over two decades calling the team's games.
The Spokane Chiefs' select regular season games are broadcast locally on SWX Sports, a regional sports network serving the Inland Northwest. All regular season and playoff games are available live for free via Victory+, accessible on devices including Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV.