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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Well Represented at 2014-15 CIS Awards and University Cup

March 12, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs, in concurrence with the Canadian Hockey League, are proud to announce that four former Chiefs are competing for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport 2015 University Cup with another earning distinction on the CIS All-Rookie Team. Recognized players include Levko Koper (Alberta Golden Bears), Dylan Walchuk (Calgary Dinos), Blake Gal (St. Francis Xavier X-Men), Steven Kuhn (St. Francis Xavier X-Men) and Eric Williams (British Columbia Thunderbirds).

Goaltender Eric Williams earned distinction on the CIS All-Rookie Team this season, appearing in 15 games and posting a 2.27 GAA and .923 SV% while winning seven games, including one shutout. Williams played for the Chiefs for two and a half seasons from 2011-14 after being acquired via trade from the Prince Albert Raiders. He finished fourth in franchise history in games played by a goaltender with 131, winning over 30 games in his two full years as the regular starter, earning four shutouts each year.

Levko Koper played for the Chiefs from 2006-11, playing in 330 regular season games (fourth in franchise history). He scored 97 regular season goals and 129 assists, adding 18 goals and 22 assists for 40 points (fifth-most) in a franchise record 62 playoff games. Koper was a member of the 2008 Memorial Cup Champions. He has played for four years at the University of Alberta, scoring 37 goals and 71 assists in 112 games.

Dylan Walchuk played 104 games for the Chiefs from 2011-13, scoring 29 goals and 53 assists. This year was the McBride, B.C. product's first full year playing for the University of Calgary, as he scored five goals and 12 assists in 28 games.

Forwards Blake Gal and Steven Kuhn were teammates once again this season for St. Francis Xavier University after four seasons as teammates with the Chiefs. Gal ranks fifth in franchise history with 325 games played for Spokane from 2008-13, scoring 74 goals and 93 assists while adding 216 penalty minutes. Gal added 57 playoff games (third in Chiefs history), scoring 18 goals and 11 assists. In his second year with SFXU, Gal scored 11 goals and 6 assists this season.

Kuhn was an ironman for the Chiefs, playing in all 72 games for four consecutive seasons from 2008-12. He scored 51 career goals and 83 assists, adding 11 goals and 14 assists the playoffs in 49 games (10th in club history in playoff games played). In three years with the X-Men, Kuhn has played in 78 games, scoring 12 goals and 18 assists.

In total, 166 CHL graduates are competing on the eight teams in contention for the University Cup, representing over 78% of all players in the tournament, 75% of the All-Canadian Teams and 100% of the All-Rookie Team. Five former CHL players earned individual All-Canadian Awards.

The 2015 University Cup features the host St. Francis Xavier X-Men, the top ranked Canada West and defending CIS champion Alberta Golden Bears, Canada West finalist Calgary Dinos, AUS champion University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds, AUS finalist Acadia Axemen, OUA champion Guelph Gryphons, finalist UQTR Patriotes, and bronze medalist Windsor Lancers.

University Cup Quarter-Final games began Thursday in Halifax while the tournament concludes on Sunday, March 15. All tournament games will be webcast at www.CIS-SIC.tv. Saturday will see Semi-Final action at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (ET) broadcast on Sportsnet 360 while Sunday's Championship Final can be seen at 5:30 p.m. (ET) on Sportsnet 360.

CHL graduates are able to compete in CIS hockey programs and receive their education paid for by taking advantage of the Scholarship Programs throughout the CHL which are funded by the member clubs - such as the Spokane Chiefs - of the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The Chiefs are back in action Friday at Spokane Arena to host the Portland Winterhawks on Credit Union For Kids Night. They'll then host the Tri-City Americans on Saturday for Supercuts BUCK Night & CheerStix Giveaway. Both games will begin at 7:05 p.m.

Tickets for all Chiefs' home games - only five regular season home contests remain! - are available in-person at the Chiefs' Ticket Office, over the phone at (509) 535-PUCK and (800) 325-SEAT, via TicketsWest outlets and online at www.ticketswest.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2015


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