Spokane Chiefs players Ty Cheveldayoff, Saige Weinstein hope experienc…

Jul. 27—The Spokane Chiefs look to improve this season on their 15-43-4-6 record and last-place finish in the Western Hockey League in 2022-23.

After adding Conner Roulette in an offseason trade, the Chiefs are building for success. Chiefs veterans Ty Cheveldayoff and Saige Weinstein participated in NHL development camps in early July after going undrafted in June.

Chiefs left wing Cheveldayoff is entering his 20-year-old season and learned in December that he would have the opportunity to attend the Las Vegas Golden Knights’ development camp if he went undrafted this summer. Cheveldayoff had high praise for the reigning Stanley Cup champions.

“When I first got to Vegas, you could tell right away how professional the organization was,” Cheveldayoff said. “They hold themselves to a high standard in everything they do. The accountability these pros have, they’ve built a no-excuses culture.”

Weinstein is only 18 and is entering his third season for the Chiefs. He attended Colorado Avalanche camp around the same time Cheveldayoff was in Vegas.

Weinstein was appreciative of the opportunity to grow.

“Going out there and seeing everyone’s work ethic made me love hockey even more and made me want to be there even more,” Weinstein said. “The culture they have built there is honestly unreal for my learning. Going there is going to help me this year and in the future.”

The young defenseman was the Chiefs’ rookie of the year in 2021 after being selected in the first round in 2020. Last year, Weinstein helped Team Canada win a gold medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Weinstein said it was important to be open to learning during his time with an NHL franchise.

“Going in there as an undrafted 18-year-old, all you can do is ask questions,” Weinstein said. “I just kind of went out there and did what I could. They’re all there to help make you a better hockey player, so all you can really do is be a sponge.”

NHL development camps are opportunities for players who are not quite at the top…