Kyle Beach (L) and Mitch Wahl celebrating Beach's 50th goal of the season.

BY PATRICK KING
sportsnet.ca

Kyle Beach and Mitch Wahl always enjoyed their love-hate relationship.

As former adversaries and intense rivals, Beach and Wahl like to measure their success against each other. The two comprised a star-studded Western Hockey League rookie class in 2006 and as rivals on the Everett Silvertips and Spokane Chiefs.

Wahl was the silky-smooth and highly-touted American, Beach was the antagonizing offensive forward from the Okanagan Valley. The two were well aware of the other even before meeting the WHL, and each personal milestone only helped fuel the rivalry.

"If he did something I was a bit jealous and I always wanted to match up to him because he was supposed to be the best kid out of the States," Beach acknowledged. "Then there's chirping and punching each other on the ice between whistles."

Beach was never shy of sharing his opinion with Wahl. After an Everett win two seasons ago, Beach corralled Wahl near the Silvertips goal and put him in a headlock. Chris Bruton, then captain of the Chiefs, stepped in for his younger teammate and - with his glove still on - knocked Beach to the ice with one punch.

Two years later, Beach and Wahl are able to laugh while watching the clip together in Spokane.

Beach, who had been traded from Everett to Lethbridge at last season's trade deadline, was the first big name to change teams when the Hurricanes dealt him to Spokane in September.

Now Beach found himself in the same locker room as his former adversary, and it didn't take long for the two to become familiar with one another.

"The first two-three months of the season I might as well have been billeted at his house because I was there every day after practice for dinner and all the way until curfew," Beach said. "We pretty much did everything together."

The former rivals built a close bond together on and off the ice, which translated into team and personal success. Beach is league's top goal-scorer with 52 goals while Wahl is among the league leaders in assists.

After all those seasons measuring their success against each other, the duo clicked instantly and found chemistry on one of the league's elite teams. Spokane sought a scoring forward early in the season to help replace the loss of graduated forward Drayson Bowman, who had been Wahl's trigger-man in each previous season.

"It's just two players that seem to be able to find each other and quite honestly, I don't care why," head coach Hardy Sauter said. "I'm just glad it worked out."

It was a match made in hockey heaven.

Wahl is a dynamically-gifted playmaker while Beach possesses a pin-point accurate shot. The duo comprises two-thirds of the Chiefs' top line and the team has hardly broken that combination apart.

Beach and Wahl's friendship may have been expedited due to their chemistry on the ice, but they were also happy to relinquish their rival status.

"I'm just extremely fortunate that I can now skate with him as my centerman and have him passing me the puck instead of having him two-handing me in the back of the legs," Beach said.

Although Wahl and his new teammates were sold on the team's newest addition, the passionate fans in Spokane weren't able to welcome Beach to the fold as quickly.

As one of the most agitating players in the league, Beach was a marked man on the ice and by the fans. But even once he was wearing the red, white and blue of the Chiefs, some fans chose to boo, rather than applaud him.

Those boos didn't last long.

"It was a shock for all the fans with him coming to Spokane because he was a hated player by our fans," Wahl explained. "Now that he's on our side I think the fans have really given in to liking him."

"It didn't take long to win them over," Beach added. "I'm sure there's still a couple that are upset and disappointed with the trade and what not, but I think most of the fans have warmed up to me."

Beach's personality lends itself quite well to his teammates and fans. Sauter quickly noticed his newest player's passion for the game, and his competitive nature only helped endear him in the locker room.

Whether it's a drill in practice or a soccer game in the lobby of the arena, Sauter explained, Beach will do whatever it takes to help his team win - even if it means distracting the opposition to gain an advantage for his team.

"He's an outgoing personality, he's competitive, he loves playing hockey and I think all those things are very transparent when it comes time to practice and play," Sauter said. "He makes it real easy for his teammates to see he's excited or anxious to play and obviously winning matters to him."

Although just two seasons removed from winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions and Memorial Cup, the Chiefs could have what it takes to contend for another title.

Spokane is among a three-team race for first in the U.S. Division and Western Conference. As thus, Sauter said his team's goal is extremely high with the playoffs right around the corner.

With the former rivals now lining up on the same team and trying to achieve the same goal, the duo is looking forward to the playoff battle. But in spite of his newfound friendship, Beach couldn't help but poke fun at Wahl, referring to him as soft in his interview.

"He knew I was in the room (during the interview) so I think he was trying to get under my skin a little bit," Wahl said. "He still does that now that he's on our team, but it goes both ways."

Even now as teammates, Beach and Wahl's love-hate relationship is alive and well.