NORTHWEST NOTES: Thursday, June 25, 2015

| June 25, 2015 9:00 PM

Spokane Chiefs announce

WHL season schedule

SPOKANE - The Spokane Chiefs will open the Western Hockey League season at home on Sept. 26 against the Tri-City Americans, the league announced.

In total, the Chiefs will host opponents for 27 weekend games; nine Fridays, 14 Saturdays and four Sundays. The remainder of the home schedule will be played on nine Wednesday nights throughout the season.

After the home opener, the Chiefs hit the road for six straight games, not returning to Spokane until Oct. 16 to host the Prince Albert Raiders. Spokane will play 12 of its first 18 games on the road.

Cougar baseball names Horner assistant coach

PULLMAN - Washington State baseball coach Marty Lees continued to fill out his coaching staff, hiring former Washington State catcher and minor league manager Jim Horner as an assistant coach.

Horner, a first-team All-Pac-10 Conference catcher for the Cougars in 1996, jumped at the opportunity to return to the Palouse after managing the Seattle Mariners Double-A affiliate Jackson Generals for the 2014 season and first half of the 2015 campaign.

Horner owns seven-plus years of managerial experience, serving as manager of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Seattle Low-A) from 2006-07 before managing the High Desert Mavericks (Seattle High-A) from 2008-10 and 2013. In 2009, he was named California League Manager of the Year and Seattle Mariners Staff Member of the Year after guiding the Mavericks to South Division first and second half titles and earning a spot in the championship series.