Spokane Chiefs add defensemen Luke Gallagher to roster

Luke Gallagher, a 16-year-old defenseman out of Mead, Washington, has been added to the Spokane Chiefs roster for the rest of the season, the team announced on Tuesday.

Gallagher, an eighth-round pick in the 2015 Western Hockey League Bantam draft, was with the Spokane Braves (KIJHL) this season and was third on the team with 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists) in 45 games. The Braves finished last in the league in 2016-17 with an 8-38-0-1 record.

The Mead native has one game of WHL experience under his belt, having been called up for the Chiefs’ tilt with Edmonton on Nov. 26.

Spokane now carries eight defensemen on its roster, including three 16-year-olds (Gallagher, Matt Leduc and Ty Smith).

The Chiefs trail Portland by nine points with 13 games to play, including a four-game homestand, for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.