Northwest Notes: July 22, 2026

Spokane Chiefs sign 2007 born forward Jan Brabenec

The Spokane Chiefs announced that 2007 born forward Jan Brabenec has signed a Western Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement with the team. The 6-foot-4 forward was selected in the third round, 158th overall in the 2026 CHL Import Draft.

“A point per game player in the Czech U20 league as an 18-year-old last year, Jan displayed excellent hockey sense combined with puck skills that enabled him to be effective in the offensive zone,” Spokane Chiefs General Manager Matt Bardsley said. “At 6-4, he uses his body to win battles as well as use his long reach to maintain puck possession along with disrupting plays defensively.”

Brabenec spent the 2025-26 season playing for HC Kometa BRNO U20 team in the Czechia U20 league, tallying 47 points, including 13 goals, and 34 assists in 44 games. He finished second on his team in scoring and was ranked 17th overall in league scoring.

“We are excited to welcome Jan and his family to the Spokane Chiefs organization,” Bardsley said.

The Spokane Chiefs will open the season on the road, playing against the Tri-City Americans on Sept. 19. The season home opener will take place the following weekend on September 26 where the Chiefs will face off against the Tri-City Americans at the Spokane Arena.

Former Lake City star Kofmehl

headed to Carroll Hall of Fame

Rhianna Kofmehl (nee Grossman), the former Lake City High star and 2015 graduate of NAIA Carroll College in Helena, Mont., will be inducted into the Carroll Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 3 during Homecoming weekend.

Kofmehl was a nine time All-American, Frontier Conference champion, and NAIA National Champion. She earned All-Conference honors in Cross Country four times ('10, '11, '12, '14), winning the Frontier Individual Championship in 2012 ahead of an All-American honor at the national meet.
In 2014, Kofmehl was the NAIA Indoor National Champion in the 3,000 meter run, winning the event by over 11 seconds — clipping 15 seconds off her personal record. She was a three-time All-American in the Steeplechase (2013-15), three-time All-American in the Distance Medley Relay (2012, '14, '15), and three-time All-American in the 3,000m (2012, '14, '15). To this day, Grossman remains the school record-holder in the Steeplechase and 3000m and is Top-Four all-time in the 1500m and 5000m.
Kofmehl was part of teams that finished 20th, 13th, 5th, and 4th at the NAIA Championships.