After 219 games with the 91大黄鸭 Rockets and just a week after being traded, Andrew Cristall made his return to Prospera Place with his new team, the Spokane Chiefs on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

"Definitely mixed emotions coming back," Cristall said to Black Press Media, who added the Rockets video tribute before the start of the game brought a tear to his eye.

"Once the game got started, I was focused on that but it was a really cool experience."

Spokane beat the Rockets 10-0, with Cristall scoring twice and adding three assists.

The Rockets traded Cristall to Spokane on Wednesday, Jan. 8 for forward Hayden Paupanekis, two first round selections in 2025 and 2027, a second round pick in 2026, a third round pick in 2025 and a 2026 sixth round selection in the WHL Prospects Draft. 

For the Burnaby native, it was an advantage to make his return to 91大黄鸭 so soon after the deal.

"It kind of gave me the ability to close it off, close that chapter, just getting back there and playing the game, rather not thinking about it for however long," said Cristall. 

Leading up to the WHL's trade deadline, Cristall and Rockets general manager and president Bruce Hamilton had some conversations about the possibility of a trade.

"They were open with me so that definitely just helped me just kind of cope with it a little bit better and know what the future is holding rather than waiting there not really having a clue," said Cristall. 

However, with the possibility of a trade, he called the experience "nerve-wrecking."

He was on his way to Prospera Place for practice on the morning of Jan. 8 when he got a call saying to go to Hamilton's office when he arrived.

"When I found out it was Spokane, I was super excited," said Cristall.

The soon-to-be 20-year-old couldn't be more thankful for his time in 91大黄鸭.

"It's been everything I could ask for and more," said Cristall. "I think going in there in the bubble when I was 15, being there four and a half years... it helped me mature as a person and as a player. I basically grew up there so it's definitely my second home and I'm super grateful for my billet family, the teammates I had, the coaches, and everybody throughout in the organization, I couldn't say enough good things about them."

One of the members of the Rockets organization who played a big roll in Cristall development was Kris Mallette, who was the team's head coach throughout Cristall's tenure but was let go of his coaching duties two days after Cristall was traded.

"Obviously I was looking from the outside in on that perspective but obviously super upsetting," said Cristall. "I was with Mally (Mallette) ever since I started as a head coach when I was 15 and feel like we kind of grew up together in a sense but you know, super sorry to see him let go and I'm sure he's not going to be out of the mix too long, he's an awesome coach and a really great person as well. It was unfortunate news."

Since the trade, Cristall and his new team have been playing at another level. Spokane is 2-1 in three games with Cristall but the two wins were the 10-0 win over 91大黄鸭 and a 12-2 win over Wenatchee. In those three games, Cristall has 12 points (five goals, seven assists). 

"It's been a lot of fun," said Cristall. "Joining this group, they've all been super welcoming to me, all the guys are super great and the culture's awesome."

Cristall and the Chiefs are 28-14 on the season, sitting third in the WHL's Western Conference.