Northwest Notes Dec. 7, 2021

Holmgren named WCC Freshman of the Week for fourth straight week

SAN MATEO, Calif. — Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren was named the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Week for the fourth straight week, the league office announced Monday.

Holmgren led the Zags to a 64-55 win against Tarleton State with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting while adding 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. In Gonzaga’s loss to No. 16 Alabama, Holmgren posted a double-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. For the week, he averaged 12.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks.

Gonzaga plays host to Merrimack in the first meeting between the programs Thursday at 6 p.m.

Chiefs trade Finley to Winnipeg for two forwards, draft pick

The Spokane Chiefs announced Monday that they have acquired forwards James Form (2002) and Chase Bertholet (2003), as well as a second-round pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft from the Winnipeg ICE in exchange for forward Jack Finley (2002).

“Chase and James will help reinforce our team to help us now and for the future,” Chiefs general manager Scott Carter said. “They are two players we’ve had interest in for a while and acquiring a high-round draft pick provides us with a flexible asset moving forward.”

Form, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound center from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has 82 games of WHL experience, scoring nine goals and five assists. In his third season in the league, he was originally a third-round pick by Winnipeg in the 2017 WHL Draft.

Bertholet is in his second year in the league and has posted eight goals and nine assists for 17 points in 25 games with the ICE this season, including four multi-point efforts. From The Pas, Manitoba, the 5-foot-11 winger has played in 52 career games, recording 10 goals and 16 assists.

“Form is a hard-working, strong player who will bring experience to our group. Bertholet is a solid, two-way competitive player who can play in all situations. We feel he will also bring some offense.”

Finley, who served as the Chiefs’ team captain, has played 152 career games for Spokane, scoring 36 goals and 57 assists for 93 points. He was originally the Chiefs’ first-round (6th overall) pick in the 2017 WHL Draft.