(photo courtesy Larry Brunt/Spokane Chiefs)

Leave it to Kailer Yamamoto’s attitude to have an impact on an NHL general manager during just one meeting. Edmonton Oilers’ executive Peter Chiarelli was reportedly moved by Yamamoto’s response to the question: “why should we draft you?” The 1998-born Spokane native’s response: “Because if you don’t, I’ll come back to haunt you.” Yamamoto plays with a chip on his shoulder and after watching him go into the corners, you find yourself stunned by how much impact a five-foot-eight. 153 lb forward can have.

That drove Chiarelli to buck the longtime NHL-trend of avoiding diminutive players in the first round and drafting the Spokane Chief 22nd overall last Friday. Yamamoto is coming off a huge season as he potted 42 goals and added 57 assists for 99 points. The speedy winger is the second-highest player ever drafted out of the state of Washington. He is behind just Ellensburg-native David Wilkie, who was drafted 20th overall by Montreal in 1992. Wilkie played four years with Seattle, Kamloops and Regina, before going on to play 167 NHL games with Montreal and Tampa Bay. Word is that Yamamoto is both the shortest and lightest first round pick.

Jaret Anderson-Dolan was then drafted early on Saturday by L.A., 41st overall in the second round. “JAD” joined his linemates Yamamoto and Hudson Elynuik (taken in the third-round by Carolina in 2016) as NHL draft picks. It is safe to say that the NHL took notice of the impact that line had on the WHL and U.S. Division. Anderson-Dolan, who is a creative center, went from 26 points in 2015-16 to 76 points last year. 39 of those 76 points were goals and they showed how much the 1999-born forward’s shot timing and placement has improved. Now Spokane coach Dan Lambert comes in inheriting one of the most talented lines in junior hockey. They should be extremely fun to watch in the coming 2017-18 campaign.

Later on Saturday, Orange, California native Jake McGrew proved that you don’t have to play a single game to get drafted if you are talented enough. After not playing a single game in 2017-18 because of a knee injury, McGrew was taken in the sixth round, 169th overall by the San Jose Sharks. The five-foot-ten, 190 lb McGrew was drafted because of the potential he had shown the previous year with the L.A. Kings’ select program. This year is a big one for the 1999-born right wing, as he eases back into the game and adjusts to the long WHL season.

These three, makes a total of 73 players drafted to the NHL out of Spokane since 1987. Five of those players were drafted to San Jose as McGrew joins former Chiefs Pat Falloon, Ray Whitney, Kerry Toporowski and Adam Helewka. Those first three were all taken in the same draft back in 1991.

Spokane Chiefs’ news:

-Despite not getting drafted, Ethan McIndoe is going to be participating in an NHL development camp. He gained an invite from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ camp this week. With the three drafted this year and Elynuik, the Chiefs have a total of five players at NHL camps.

Time for @ethanmcindoe to put in work at the Leafs Summer Development Camp. Prove to them you deserve to be there! — Byron Bonora (@ByronBonora) June 27, 2017

-The 2017-18 WHL schedule was released today. Spokane opens the campaign to get back to the playoffs with a short road trip in B.C. They play Friday, September 22nd and 23rd in Prince George, before heading to Kootenay for a game September 29th. They then play their home opener against Kootenay on the 30th. They broke up their Central Division trek a bit with a four-game stint October 22nd-27th and games November 10th and 11th in Lethbridge and Kootenay. Their longest home strand is five games. An intriguing aspect to their schedule is a five game road trip February 25th-March ninth. That trip sees them go to Tri-City, Victoria, Kelowna and Seattle. With this trip being so late in the season, this could have some serious implications on their playoff eligibility or seeding.

-Former Spokane Chief Derek Ryan was re-signed by the Carolina Hurricanes on a one-year deal. Afterwards, new Hurricanes’ goalie Scott Darling and him worked out a deal for the number 33 sweater.

-The CHL import draft is tomorrow and Spokane holds both the #18 and 78 picks. They will be using both as Pavel Kousal and Ondrej Najman went back overseas to play professionally after one year in the WHL.