Northwest Notes Feb. 20, 2013

USA Boxing chooses Spokane for national championships

SPOKANE - Spokane has been chosen to host the country's most prestigious event for Olympic-style amateur boxing in a four-year deal.

"Spokane has a successful history hosting the USA Boxing Nationals for both men and women," said Eric Sawyer, President and CEO of the Spokane Sports Commission. "This four-year agreement tells a national and international audience that Spokane is a premiere place for sports."

The 2013 championships will be March 31-April 6. Preliminary bouts will be held at the HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake, and Northern Quest Resort and Casino will host the final round.

The U.S. Olympic team trials for women's boxing was held at Northern Quest a year ago.

Tickets for all bouts, including the preliminary bouts at the HUB, can be purchased through the Northern Quest Resort and Casino box office. Overnight packages are also being offered through the resort.

Spokane adds defenseman to roster

The Spokane Chiefs have added 16-year-old defenseman Colton Bobyk to their roster.

Bobyk, the team's 10th-round pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, was the Alberta Midget Hockey League's top scoring defenseman for the Red Deer Chiefs with eight goals and 32 points in 31 games this season.

Last year, Bobyk was named the Sutter Cup MVP after scoring 25 points in 29 games for Red Deer's AAA Midget (Alberta Minor Midget Hockey League) team.

Spokane will host the Edmonton Oil Kings on Friday and Kamloops on Saturday.