WHL Spokane Chiefs

Opening Night Scheduled, Buskey Invited to POE Camp, & Leduc Commits

June 2, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane Chiefs Goaltending Prospect Donovan Buske
Spokane Chiefs Goaltending Prospect Donovan Buske
(Spokane Chiefs)

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs announced today that their home opener - Bud Light Opening Night - for the 2016-17 regular season is scheduled to take place at Spokane Arena on Saturday, October 1, 2016 versus the Tri-City Americans.

The contest will be the 12th consecutive home opener versus the rival Americans. Spokane came away with a 6-4 victory in front of 8,345 fans in last season's home opener on Sept. 26, 2015, highlighted by a hat trick from rookie forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan. The Chiefs have won eight-straight home openers versus Tri-City dating back to a 4-0 win on Sept. 27, 2008.

The Western Hockey League's 2016-17 regular season begins the weekend of September 25, with the Chiefs kicking off their campaign on the road.

BUSKEY INVITED TO HOCKEY CANADA CAMP

CHIEFS GOALIE PROSPECT IS ONE OF 16 IN UNDER-17 GROUP

CALGARY, Alta. - Spokane Chiefs goaltending prospect Donovan Buskey, as announced on May 31, has been invited to Hockey Canada's 11th annual Program of Excellence Goaltending Camp, taking place June 9-11 in Calgary, Alberta.

Buskey, selected by the Chiefs in the third round (53rd overall) of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, is one of only 16 netminders in the under-17 group. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound 16-year-old out of North Vancouver, B.C., posted a 3.27 goals against average with one shutout in 24 appearances with the North Shore Winter Club Midget Elite A1 team last season.

The annual camp brings together some of the best goalie talent and is coached by top goaltending instructors from around Canada, with Hockey Canada's Rick Wamsley leading the under-17 group.

"The Program of Excellence Goaltending Camp has allowed us to develop our top talent - both on and off the ice, using world-class goaltending instructors from across North America," said Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada's vice-president of hockey operations and men's national teams, in a Hockey Canada press release. "The line-up of instructors are able to breakdown each goalie's game, sharpen their skills and give them every opportunity to develop their talent and grow as a player."

LEDUC COMMITS TO SPOKANE CHIEFS

YOUNG DEFENSEMAN SIGNS STANDARD PLAYER CONTRACT

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs announced today (Tuesday, May 31) that defenseman Matt Leduc has signed a Standard Player Agreement and committed to playing for the Chiefs. He was one of Spokane's two second round picks (31st overall) in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.

"We are thrilled by Matt's commitment to our organization," said Chiefs' General Manager Tim Speltz. "Matt is a big defenseman who we expect to become an impactful player in the Western Hockey League."

Leduc, a 16-year-old from Richmond, B.C., stands 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds. He recorded one goal and 14 assists in 26 games with the Burnaby Winter Club of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League last season.

"On top of being an excellent hockey player, we have been continually impressed by Matt's character and leadership abilities," Speltz continued. "He exemplifies the personal qualities we look for and we are excited to have him join our team."

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Images from this story

Spokane Chiefs Bench
Spokane Chiefs Bench
 Spokane Chiefs Goaltending Prospect Donovan Buske
Spokane Chiefs Goaltending Prospect Donovan Buske
  



Western Hockey League Stories from June 2, 2016


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