Spokane Chiefs release 20-year-old goaltender Garret Hughson

The Spokane Chiefs released 20-year-old goaltender Garret Hughson on Wednesday after he had a shaky start to the 2015-16 Western Hockey League season.

Hughson becomes eligible for the league’s 20-year-old cutdown waiver draft on Thursday. If he’s not claimed in the waiver draft, he will become a free agent.

Hughson, from Foremost, Alberta, played three full seasons with the Chiefs, highlighted by last year’s effort with career bests in save percentage (.902), goals-against average (2.80) and wins (23). He was 41-38-5-2 with four shutouts during his Chiefs career.

“We feel, as an organization, that we need to commit to (18-year-old) Tyson Verhelst and (17-year-old rookie) Matt Berlin as our goaltenders for this season and the future,” Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz said. “The Spokane Chiefs wish Garret all the best moving forward.”

In four games this season, Hughson had a 5.44 goals-against average and .833 save percentage.

The Chiefs, who haven’t played at home since Sept. 26, will host Prince Albert on Friday and Kamloops on Saturday at the Arena.