General Manager: Tim Speltz

Head Coach: Don Nachbaur

Season opener: Tonight at Tri-City

2011 pre-season: 4-2-0-1, 9 pts

2010-11 Record: 48-18-4-2, 102 pts (2nd in U.S. Div., 3rd in Western Conf.) GF:310 GA: 193

2010-11 Power Play / Penalty Killing ranking: PP: 26.7% (1st); PK: 87.3% (1st)

2011 Playoffs: Lost in six games to Portland in Western Conference Championship series

2010-11 Top Scorers:

Tyler Johnson (71gp-53g-62a-115pts), Levko Koper (70gp-32g-50a-82pts), Brenden Kichton (64gp-23g-58a-81pts)

Up Front: The departure of Tyler Johnson and Levko Koper leaves 85 goals and 197 points for the Chiefs to make up from what was the WHL's best offense last year. Still, the Chiefs return a healthy number of forwards who are capable of collectively making up the difference. Steve Kuhn, Matt Marantz, Anthony Bardaro, Blake Gal and Dominik Uher all return to the team after each hitting at least the 20-goal mark last year. All five are capable of increasing their offensive totals if given bigger roles this season. However, with four 20-year-old on the roster, tough decisions will need to be made with regards to Kuhn, Marantz and feisty sparkplug Darren Kramer, who was terrific in the post-season last year. 18-year-old Mitch Holmberg and Collin Valcourt could see more responsibility this season, in terms of generating offense.

On The Blue Line: High-scoring rearguard Brenden Kichton heads up a group of five returning defensemen from last season's team that owned the second-best defense in the WHL. Kichton exploded for 23 goals and 81 points last season, and will log key minutes again this season for the Chiefs. 20-year-old Corbin Baldwin is also eligible to return, as is 19-year-old Davis Vandane. Both would provide an imposing physical presence on the blue line. Tanner Mort of Post Falls and sophomore Reid Gow round out the returning defensemen, while rookies Tyler King, Jason Fram and Cole Wedman will look to break into the lineup and add defensive depth.

Goaltending: 18-year-old Mac Engel is set to take over the starting job after the graduation of James Reid. Engel appeared in 32 games last season for the Chiefs, posting a 2.30 GAA and a .909 save percentage. He has proven he can be a reliable starter, earning Goalie of the Month in February after posting a 9-2-2 record with a 1.83 GAA and .930 save percentage when Reid went down with an injury. Rookies Zach Rakochy and Luke Lee-Knight are in contention for the back-up role.

Player to Watch: Brenden Kichton

Spokane's third-round pick in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft, Kichton spent his first two seasons in the WHL playing more of a depth role in a defense corps loaded with talented rearguards. Given a much bigger role last season, Kichton exploded for 81 points to share the WHL lead in points by a defenseman. A smooth and agile skater, Kichton's best asset is his excellent hockey sense. The Spruce Grove, AB, product rarely gets caught out of position and has a knack for knowing when to join the rush. With strong puck-moving ability and a deceptive shot, Kichton is a major reason why the Chiefs owned the WHL's best power play last season. His outstanding 2010-11 campaign led the New York Islanders to select him in the fifth round of the 2011 NHL draft.

- Courtesy whl.ca