Northwest Notes August 19, 2012

Chiefs to open fall camp next Thursday

More than 70 players will be in town next week as the Spokane Chiefs hold their annual fall camp at the Spokane Arena.

The team will scrimmage three times a day from Thursday through Saturday. Fall camp will conclude with the annual Red-White Scrimmage at the Arena on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.

"We have a lot of good players coming in and pushing the issue," Chiefs Director of Player Personnel Chris Moulton said.

Nineteen of the 23 players from the 2012 postseason will return to Spokane for camp, including the WHL's Western Conference Defenseman of the Year, Brenden Kichton. The 20-year-old Kichton led all WHL defensemen in scoring last season with 74 points and has 40 goals and 155 points the past two seasons.

"I want to see the veteran players arrive in good shape, working hard and not taking anything for granted," Moulton said. "I would like to see healthy competition at camp from everyone and not have it to be cut and dried where we have two seperate groups; veterans and a group of young players. I like to see those young guys push for spots. The indication of a successful camp is when our veterans are pushed."

Scrimmages will begin on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. All ice sessions, including the Red-White Game, will be free and open to the public. Fans are asked to enter the Spokane Arena through the Chiefs' office on the southeast corner of the building.