Former Chiefs remain teammates with Chilliwack

Myles Stoesz coyly said he didn’t look for the dates on the Western Hockey League schedule when it came out this summer which read: Spokane vs. Chilliwack.

“Nah, didn’t even notice them,” deadpanned Stoesz, the former Spokane Chief who was picked up by the Chilliwack Bruins in the expansion draft.

“He’s lying!” Jim Watt shouted out over the speakerphone as both started breaking out laughing.

Watt and Stoesz, former Chiefs teammate and partners in crime off the ice, have been reunited after last season’s trade that sent Watt away to Saskatoon. Watt also was picked up by Chilliwack this summer.

The pair will face their former team in the first of four season meetings Saturday. Spokane visits the WHL’s newest franchise as part of a three-game road trip that begins tonight at Vancouver.

On the day Stoesz found out he was left unprotected by Spokane and taken by Chilliwack in the draft, he was consoled by the fact he and Watt would go through uncharted waters together. Both had been Chiefs for the entirety of their careers entering last season and best friends off the ice.

They now find themselves as part of the veteran leadership corps of a young team that has struggled to a 1-9 start.

Stoesz has been picked as an assistant captain after a summer of hard work and dedication that improved his strength and cardiovascular endurance. A tough player who has been admittedly too one-dimensional, Stoesz has changed his focus.

“I always wanted to be a leader,” said Stoesz, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers.

He has consistently been among the WHL penalty minute leaders but knows that’s not going to cut it alone.

“I want to prove to the coaching staff and Tim (Speltz, Chiefs general manager) that I can play offensively – play the game and not just fight,” said Stoesz. “I want to get some points, but can’t forget how I got here.”

In fact, he already has two goals this season – including an unassisted one – and three points. The winger is playing on the second line and is logging time on the Bruins power-play unit.

He said he’ll always defend a teammate, but feels he can help his team in other ways.

“They’re giving me the opportunity to play,” he said. “They told me, ‘You’re going to score 20 goals this year.’ Whether I end up doing that or not, it puts a lot of confidence in you. I’ve never heard that before.”

Watt also is looking at a bit of redemption in his final WHL season. He felt he came to training camp in great shape and was deemed the team’s starter. But he tore a meniscus in his knee during the first period of his first exhibition game and has been sidelined until now.

Watt will make his return to the ice this weekend as Chilliwack tries to reverse its fortunes. He expects to get the start against Spokane and is eager to help his new team.

“It definitely hurts not being able to play,” said Watt. “But being able to watch the team makes you a little more hungry. It’s the first time in my career that I sat out a game in the stands. I’ve got a job to do and the boys really need me.”

Watt said his goal is simple: to win and earn a shot at the pros.

“I’ve been given the opportunity here,” he said. “There comes a time if you want to make a career out of this or if you want to throw your hands in the air and give up. I definitely want a contract, want to be able to go to a (pro) camp, and make a go of it.”

Watt and Stoesz both say their team has stayed positive, despite the losing record, and is considering this upcoming segment on the schedule “a new season.”

“I don’t know if we consider it a challenge, just an opportunity to step it up and a chance to prove people wrong,” said Stoesz.

The team plays in the B.C. Division, which is being dominated by Memorial Cup favorite Vancouver.

“It’s a tough division, but playoffs are realistic,” said Watt.