2012-13 record: 44-26-2-0 (lost to Portland in Conference semi-finals)
The Spokane Chiefs were a veteran team last year, and certainly, they had a chance to make some noise in the WHL playoffs. However, after beating a depleted Tri-City team in the opening round, they ran into a determined Portland team and were swept out of the semis. Now, they will be minus Blake Gal, Dylan Walchuk, and leading scorer and Bill Hunter Trophy winner Brenden Kichton, as all three graduated after the season. It is possible that their returning leading scorer from last season will be Reid Gow, but either Mitch Holmberg or Mike Aviani could return as one of three overagers. Todd Fiddler will not be back, as he was traded in the offseason. The blue line should return all except Kichton and possibly Tanner Mort, as the relatively youthful group will be one year wiser, and that should help a goaltending duo of Eric Williams and Garret Hughson, both of whom posted GAA numbers north of the 3.00 mark. Adam Hascic and Dominic Swerger are the new Imports coming in, as both Alessio Bertaggia and Mikulas Rimmel are not likely to return.
Prediction: 4th in the West
A year wiser, the Chiefs blue line will need to step up and perform, as the forwards will be in transition. Goaltending kept them in some games last year, but without consistency, they will likely be nothing more than just a playoff team.
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