The Spokane Chiefs are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League (WHL), based in Spokane, Washington. The franchise relocated to Spokane in 1985 from Kelowna, British Columbia, where it had been known as the Kelowna Wings.[1] The team’s visual identity is built around a red, white and blue palette, a scheme that has drawn direct comparison to the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens.[1]
Design and History
The Chiefs’ current primary logo has been in use since the 1990-91 season.[2] The mark is described as a red “C” forming an “S” with a Native American headdress.[2] The design has also been characterized as a giant “S” with headdress feathers.[3]
In late 2006, the team introduced a new primary hat logo featuring an “S” with an eagle feather accent. Coverage of the update noted that the new primary logo had a nostalgic feel and featured two eagle feathers, described as one of the most revered symbols in Spokane tribal culture.[4]
The Chiefs have also used alternate and specialty marks. For the 2024 holiday season, the team launched special teddy bear toss jerseys that included a recolored 40th anniversary logo on the right shoulder.[5] The 40th anniversary celebration was held during the 2024-25 season.[6]
Meaning and Symbolism
The team’s red, white and blue color scheme has been noted for its similarity to the Montreal Canadiens’ uniforms.[1] The eagle feathers in the 2006 logo update were reported to carry cultural significance, as eagle feathers are among the most revered symbols in Spokane tribal culture.[4]
Typography and Design
The primary logo’s construction centers on a red “C” that forms an “S,” combined with a Native American headdress motif.[2] The 2006 update introduced a hat logo with an “S” accented by an eagle feather, part of a broader refresh described as having a nostalgic feel.[4]
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