Here's a quick link this morning to a story that ran in the Kelowna Daily Courier on how the Spokane Chiefs are shedding the struggles they have had in recent years.

The Chiefs will open a six-game homestand, their longest of the season, when they host the Kamloops Blazers on Friday at 7. They also get the chance to avenge one of their two regulation losses this season when they host the Everett Silvertips on Saturday.

why am i not surprised that an out of town writer provides us with a great article on the Chiefs?

shame on you & your boss

Tom Partch

Yes, I'd really like to see more in the paper about the Chiefs. This is getting a bit ridiculous when they have such a great record, and get a small mention.

If Gonzaga or WSU had this record, it'd be front page sports material. Chiefs have a great record, and national recognition, and we're getting links to other newspapers.

Look at the average age of each team, compared to their winning percentage. Usually you would expect older teams to be higher in the standings, and younger teams lower. Obviously this isn't a hard-and-fast rule since quality of the players is more important than their age, but typically the best players in the league are older ones and so older rosters should be expected to do better, on average.

The numbers: (number in brackets after age and win% is league rank in that category)

Spokane: Avg age: 18.087 (T-6); Win%: 0.806 (1)
Vancouver: Avg age: 17.875 (T-18); Win%: 0.725 (2)
Tri-City: Avg age: 17.875 (T-18); Win%: 0.722 (3)
Medicine Hat: Avg age: 18.077 (11); Win%: 0.684 (4)
Swift Current: Avg age: 18.091 (5); Win%: 0.658 (5)
Regina: Avg age: 18.083 (8); Win%: 0.650 (6)
Moose Jaw: Avg age: 18.042 (14); Win%: 0.647 (7)
Calgary: Avg age: 18.08 (T-9); Win%: 0.625 (8)
Chilliwack: Avg age: 18.125 (T-3); Win%: 0.611 (9)
Brandon: Avg age: 18 (15); Win%: 0.605 (10)
Everett: Avg age: 18.217 (1); Win%: 0.588 (11)
Lethbridge: Avg age: 18.043 (T-12); Win%: 0.579 (12)
Seattle: Avg age: 17.826 (T-20); Win%: 0.567 (13)
Kelowna: Avg age: 17.783 (22); Win%: 0.529 (14)
Edmonton: Avg age: 18.19 (2); Win%: 0.528 (15)
Prince George: Avg age: 18.125 (T-3); Win%: 0.5 (16)
Kootenay: Avg age: 17.958 (16); Win%: 0.476 (17)
Kamloops: Avg age: 18.087 (T-6); Win%: 0.406 (18)
Prince Albert: Avg age: 18.043 (T-12); Win%: 0.368 (19)
Saskatoon: Avg age: 17.913 (17); Win%: 0.324 (20)
Red Deer: Avg age: 17.826 (T-20); Win%: 0.286 (21)
Portland: Avg age: 18.08 (T-9); Win%: 0.167 (22)

'Tis time to dispute the cruel musings of P&P - Partch and Pat. I don't know much about the inner workings of The Spokesman-Review, but I DO know about the dedication of Jessica "Downtown" Brown. There are many instances in which she takes time out of her busy schedule to hobnob with us rabid Chiefs fans. I can attest to her kindness from gathering at local Asian restaurants, when she gives us her time and expertise despite being tired from working extra hours at the paper. It's her job to write for the paper AND keep fans apprised of what other write about the WHL. My guess is, other papers post HER stories on their Web sites. So please, ye Negative Nellies, put your energies toward cheering on the beloved Chiefs and leave our superior scribe alone. PEACE, LOVE AND BROTHERHOOD, ice pals!

Well, complain as you will GG, maybe if Jessica spent more time writting about the Chiefs instead of "hob-nobbing" in Asian resturants, we'd all be happier. If it passed your keen eye, after the loss Sat. night, the artical in sundays paper was from the "wire", NOT our local reporter. And to go with that, nerry a word in local print all this week (sigh). Its too bad we have to read about the 5th ranked Jr. hockey team in the country, and comments by Tim Speltz on the net or in another cities paper. Just what is she so busy doing?

Chiefs fans (specifically Crash or anyone who is confused by guarantee guy):

Apparently it's time for me to set the record straight.

I DO NOT go to Asian restaurants and give out any information to any bloggers. Sorry to disappoint, but no hobnobbing for me. I don't know guarantee guy, or any of the bloggers for that matter, and since guarantee guy doesn't post anything vulgar or out of line, I'm not about to start censoring anything - but don't believe everything you read, especially from someone with an alias on a blog.

As far Sunday's story, which you must have read in the Idaho edition, there was a wire story because deadline passed with the shootout. Had you received the metro edition, you would have seen a story written by me - it's linked to on the blog, by the way. Do you honestly believe I would attend a game, and not file a story because of a shootout loss to the defending Memorial Cup Champions? Or any game for that matter. Win or lose, I file a story if I go to the game. I'm sad to even have to explain this.

As for linking to other papers that write about the Chiefs, I will continue to do so when I see a story about the Chiefs, despite the couple complaints I got. I think it's a good thing, to pull in whatever material is out there.

All of you wondering why there hasn't been a wealth of copy so far: I know this, and I welcome feedback of any kind, good or bad - this business requires thick skin. But seeing that some of your opinions are based off of false assumptions, I felt it was time for me to write and at least present you with what is really going on, or rather, not going on. No Asian restaurants, and no secret meetings of any kind, with any fans.

The coverage will be picking up, I've been given the green light to write more for print, which is what I have been asking for. I couldn't enjoy covering the Chiefs more.

Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.

- Jessica Brown

Thanks Jessica-I too have been disappointed with the lack of coverage in our local media outlets-be it the paper or the news. But I TOTALLY appreciate the links to other stories and all the great information you put our way on this blog! Thanks so much for your hard work!

It's time to REALLY set the record straight. Anyone who complains on Jessica's fine blog by misspelling "writing" as "writting", "article" as "artical", and "nary" as "nerry" perhaps needs to wonder if his logic is any better than his grammar. Jessica, you rock, even if I remain anonymous to you. I'll toast you with black tea the next time I'm celebrating another Chiefs win.