Standing Tall On The Ice Banner Night Awaits Chiefs
The boys are back in town.
The Spokane Chiefs range in age from 16 to 20, with their experiences as varied as their birthdays. Some ARE still in high school, and they’re signing autographs.
Before the Chiefs play their first home game Saturday night, two banners will be hoisted in their honor in the Arena, to hang as reminders of last season’s stunning success.
The Western Hockey League West Division championships - both regular-season and post-season - are theirs to savor.
They were the best in the West.
But coach Mike Babcock has put last year behind him, and them as well. With a veteran core sprinkled with promising youngsters, Babcock’s team charged out of the gate last week with two road wins.
But unlike seasons past, when the most advanced among them had signed professional contracts and banked huge signing bonuses, they are all uniquely amateur. A third have been drafted by NHL clubs and gone through training camps, but none has a contract.
They are developing stars.
For now, while they develop their worth, the Chiefs go week to week much like other kids who’re too busy to hold down a job. They get an allowance.
The two 20-year-olds, goaltender Marc Magliarditi and defenseman Adam Magarrell, receive a monthly stipend of $600. The money drops considerably from there, to $240 for the seven 19-year-olds on the club.
The 18-year-olds can make up to $200, the 17s get a maximum of $180 and the two 16-year-olds are paid $160.
It’s not much, but they don’t need a lot. Expenses are paid.
Families - known as billets - open their homes to them and are reimbursed by the club. Billets aren’t replacement parents, but many develop family ties to the Chiefs players and their immediate families.
Soaring attendance - they drew 260,378 in 36 regular-season dates last year and another 89,659 in the playoffs - and the two banners that go up Saturday night say a lot about the players, and the organization.
They’re winners … and entertaining.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo