Chiefs select forward Tommaso De Luca in 2022 CHL Import Draft
Spokane, Wash. — The Spokane Chiefs selected forward Tommaso De Luca with the 13th overall pick in the 2022 CHL Import Draft.
From Aosta, Italy, De Luca posted 12 goals and 28 assists for 40 points with Ambri-Piotta of the U20-Elit league in Switzerland last season. He lead his team in scoring and ranked 15th among the top scorers. The 17-year-old added seven more points (3G-4A) over seven playoff games.
“Tommaso is a very skilled goalscorer,” Chiefs European Scout Janik Beichler said. “He excels at creating space for himself and has an excellent shot. He brings all the tools necessary to be an impact player in Spokane in his NHL Draft year.”
De Luca is the first player ever selected by the Chiefs from Italy.
Spokane will retain the rights to defenseman David Jiricek (2003) of the Czech Republic, who was the Chiefs’ first-round (54th overall) pick in the 2020 CHL Import Draft. Yannick Proske (Germany) and Timafey Kovgoreniya (Belarus) will not be returning to Spokane.
Jiricek, who is ranked 4th among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting, played with HC Plzen (5G-6A in 29 games) and the Czechia national team (4G-10A in 30 games) during the 2021-22 season.
WHL clubs are allowed two import players on their roster.
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Ticket packages for the 2022-23 regular season – including the popular Game of the Month Package which includes Opening Night – are on sale now! For more information, visit spokanechiefs.com or call a ticket account executive at 509-535-PUCK.
The Spokane Chiefs are a member of the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey league, the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players. Since 1985 the Chiefs have been a pillar in the Spokane community, offering family-friendly entertainment and a winning tradition which includes: two Memorial Cup Championships in 1991 & 2008, two WHL Championships in 1991 & 2008 and four Western Conference Championships in 1991, 1996, 2000 & 2008. Over 60 alumni have gone on to play in the National Hockey League.
