Chiefs trade Playfair to Tri-City

The Spokane Chiefs announced today that they have acquired 19-year-old forward Marcus Messier from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for 19-year-old forward Jackson Playfair. Friday marks the end of the Western Hockey League’s trade deadline. “Marcus Messier is a forward who is versatile and can play the center ice position,” Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz said. “He is good on faceoffs and can play in all situations. We have always respected his character and compete level. Marcus will add depth to our specialty teams and his experience will help our younger forwards. We look forward to him joining our team.” Messier (5-foot-9, 155 pounds), a native of Canmore, Alberta, has five goals and 15 assists in 39 games for Tri-City this season. In 195 career games played – all with the Americans – he has 21 goals and 35 assists. Messier was Tri-City’s second-round (41st overall) draft selection in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. Jackson Playfair departs from Spokane after 89 games with the Chiefs, in which he scored six goals and nine assists for 15 points. Playfair also racked up 124 penalty minutes in his two seasons with the club. “We wish Jackson all the best with Tri-City and thank him for his commitment to our organization,” Speltz added. The Chiefs host the Kamloops Blazers at Spokane Arena tonight at 7:05.