My Thoughts Post Red White Game...

Sunday's Spokane Chiefs red white game.  A chance to see the players in a game and enjoy some free hockey.  It's also a good chance to see how the young ones play to see who can make the roster and how the returning players have spent the summer.  Seeing some of the fans and friends that I haven't seen since the playoff loss to Victoria gives this game something of a first day of school feel to it.  That's one of the many things there is to like about it.

First off, the returning players.  I thought Hudson Elynuik looked good at camp but was off during the red white game.  He looked like he was just going through the motions.  Both Yamanoto brothers looked good, as did Zwerger and Bechtold.  Sad that we can't keep both of them.  Miske played well.  So did Anderson-Dolan and Mcindoe.  Defensively the Chiefs are a rock.  With Helgesen, Fiala, Hamaliuk, Henderson, and Faith returning they are solid on the back end.  I think I'm going to like Sittler in net.  He really keeps his composure and doesn't get rattled easily.  That will come in handy against the higher scoring teams in the league.

Now the newbies.  Ty Smith is the real deal.  I don't mind an aggressive defensemen if they play well, and he did all the right things on Sunday.  Leduc is good but probably a year away from making the roster.  I'm sold on Jake McGrew.  He played hard every time he hit the ice.  Koby Morriseau and Eli Zummack could make the team also.  I'd give Morriseau the advantage over Zummack but both are good.  As far as the goalies go Matt Berlin did not look comfortable in net.  Hopefully that changes in the tournament in Everett as I expect him to get plenty of ice time along with Donovan Buskey, who played great on Sunday.  Buskey could play himself into the backup goalie spot if he continues that good play.  I thought the new Euro players did well.  With Zwerger still around who knows what is going to happen there.

Regardless of who makes the final roster I am going to like watching this team.  It's been a few years since anyone has really had a chance to say this but the Chiefs are on the rise once again.  This weekend's tournament in Everett is going to tell much about this team.