Spokane Chiefs notebook: Chase Harrington selected to World U-17 Challenge; Rasmus Ekström signs as second import player

From staff reports

Spokane Chiefs forward Chase Harrington has been named to Team Canada Red for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, the team announced Monday.

Harrington, who was selected eighth overall by the Chiefs in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, is one of 44 players who will compete with Team Canada Red and Team Canada White at the annual tournament, Nov. 2-11 in Charlottetown and Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

Harrington has four assists in 12 WHL games in his young career, making his debut on Oct. 22, 2022, in Seattle against the Thunderbirds.

Other current Chiefs that have played in the World U-17 Hockey Challenge include Berkly Catton and Saige Weinstein .

Chiefs sign Ekström

The Chiefs announced Monday that Swedish prospect Rasmus Ekström signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Ekström, born in 2004, was selected in the second round of the 2023 CHL Import Draft, 66th overall.

“We are excited that Rasmus has decided to come to Spokane,” Chiefs General Manager Matt Bardsley said. “As a 19-year-old with some pro experience, he can play both center and the wing position. His speed and offensive abilities will be a nice addition to our team, and we look forward to welcoming him and his family to Spokane.”

Ekström, a 6-foot forward out of Stockholm, Sweden, played 39 games with Sodertalje SK J20 last season, where he piled up 31 points on 15 goals and 15 assists. In nine games with the same club this season, he’s chipped in four goals and seven points over nine games.

“Rasmus is currently awaiting his immigration paperwork, which should be approved in the next couple of weeks prior to arriving in Spokane,” Bardsley said.

Ekström will join 2023 first-round CHL import pick, Lukáš Král, as the two import players on the Chiefs roster.