WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Acquire Draft Picks, Prospect Rights from Lethbridge in Exchange for F Blake Swetlikoff

Published on January 5, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs have acquired a second-round pick in the 2026 WHL Draft, a fifth-round pick in the 2025 WHL Draft and the rights to Jack Lackas from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for forward Blake Swetlikoff (2003).

"It's always difficult to move a player and person such as Blake," Spokane Chiefs General Manager Matt Bardsley said. "His play and leadership qualities were highly sought after, and we felt this would be a good opportunity for him. We are excited to add a prospect in Jack Lackas, who is a creative player who has a high skillset. The second- and fifth-round draft picks will give us added flexibility to continue to build our team in our goal to achieve division and conference championships over the next couple of years."

Swetlikoff played 128 games for the Chiefs, posting 61 total points on 22 goals and 39. He was originally the Chiefs' third-round pick (61st overall) in the 2018 WHL Draft.

The Regina native was named an alternate captain for the 2022-23 season and also served as a part of the team's leadership group last season. He tallied six goals in his rookie year (2020-21) - eighth among all WHL first-year players and first among Chiefs rookies - and was the only rookie to appear in all of Spokane's games during the shortened 2020-21 season (21 games).

On top of his on-ice efforts, Swetlikoff has excelled in the classroom, earning the 2020-21 Chiefs' Scholastic Player of the Year award.

At the official halfway mark of this season, the six-foot centerman has appeared in all 34 of Spokane's games this year and has scored five goals and 14 assists for 19 total points. He's currently on a five-game point streak, including three in the New Year's Eve game against the Tri-City Americans (1G-2A). Swetlikoff also currently boasts the 8th-most faceoff wins in the league with 349 (57%).

"We would like to thank Blake for everything he has done for the Spokane Chiefs organization and we wish him all the best going forward," Bardsley said.

The 16-year-old Lackas was selected by Lethbridge with the second overall pick in the 2021 WHL U.S. Prospect Draft. Originally from Las Vegas, NV, Lackas has been playing in Phoenix's Jr. Coyotes program for the past two seasons, scoring 15 goals and 24 points in 21 games for the 15U AAA team last year. He has two goals, six assists and eight points in seven games for the 16U squad this season.

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