Northwest Notes June 17, 2023

Wild owners buy Winnipeg Ice, to move WHL team to Wenatchee

WENATCHEE, Wash. — The Spokane Chiefs have a new rival in the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League.

The Wenatchee Wild on Friday announced its approval as the newest member club in the WHL, effective with the 2023-24 season.

The team’s membership in the WHL replaces that of the Winnipeg Ice, whose membership in the league has been purchased by Wenatchee Wild owners David and Lisa White.

The Wild began in the North American Hockey League in 2008, and continued with the Whites’ purchase of the team in 2013 and the team’s move to the British Columbia Hockey League in 2015.

The shift to the WHL will see the Wild placed in the league’s U.S. Division, joining Spokane, Seattle, Everett, the Tri-Cities and Portland.

Winnipeg was in the six-team East Division.

“The Spokane Chiefs welcome the Wenatchee Wild to the WHL. We look forward to developing a good rivalry with Wenatchee,” Chiefs owner Bobby Brett said. “I have known Wild general manager Bliss Littler for over 30 years, and Wenatchee has always done a great job running their program. In the 10 years Wild owner David White has owned the team, he has taken the Wild to a different level, and that has not gone unnoticed in the hockey world. Wenatchee will be a welcome addition to the WHL.”