Kieffer set to make his ice debut for Silvertips

EVERETT -- David Reekie might not play for the Everett Silvertips any longer. But credit the former Tips goaltender with an assist -- from approximately 1,000 miles away.

Everett is set to unwrap its newest present with defenseman Tyler Kieffer slated for the lineup tonight against the Chilliwack Bruins, and one of the reasons why Kieffer decided to join the Tips midseason was Reekie's unlikely influence.

Kieffer, an 18-year-old from Stillwater, Minn., officially joined the team last weekend, and his rugged 5-foot-11, 200-pound frame adds depth to Everett's blue line.

"Any time you can find a player it's a bonus," Everett general manager Doug Soetaert said. "It's like trading for somebody without giving anything up. So we found someone we feel is able to contribute now and in the future for us. He's the right age that I think he'll be able to contribute a lot sooner than your typical rookie."

The Tips had their eye on Kieffer for a while. Everett added Kieffer to its protected list about a year ago, and Soetaert made a bid for Kieffer's services during the summer. However, that didn't work out and Kieffer joined the United States Hockey League's Lincoln (Neb.) Stars, with the intention of accepting a scholarship to play college hockey for St. Cloud State.

However, Kieffer received limited playing time with the Stars and about a month ago his representatives contacted Soetaert again about the possibility of joining the Tips.

"Everett first contacted me when I was a sophomore in high school and wanted me to come out," Kieffer said. "But being from Minnesota the route there is to play in the (Western Collegiate Hockey Association) and I had a scholarship there. But school wasn't really my thing and I wasn't really getting much playing time in Lincoln."

Soetaert headed to Lincoln to watch Kieffer play two games and decide whether Kieffer was a good fit for the Tips. He came away impressed.

"I liked what I saw," Soetaert said. "I figured he could come in and contribute to our hockey club, so we decided to tell him we'd like to bring him in."

That's where Reekie enters the story.

Reekie's tumultuous early season included a bout of mononucleosis that nullified a possible trade from Everett, and he was unable to find another WHL suitor once he recovered. After a brief detour through Windsor, Ontario, Reekie landed in Lincoln, where he became Kieffer's teammate.

Since Kieffer already was considering joining the Tips, naturally he mined Reekie for information. Reekie said nothing to dissuade him.

"When I found out (Reekie) was from Everett I talked with him quite a bit," Kieffer said. "I actually hung out with him just about every day and got to know him pretty well.

"He pursued me to come to Everett," Kieffer added. "He told me a lot of stuff about it, that all the guys are great and that he loved the coaches and the place."

Now that he's here, Kieffer gives the Tips more depth and experience on defense. Everett can now field a six-man defensive unit consisting of players 18 or older. And as a 1989-born player he helps fill a gap as Everett has just one other 89-born defenseman (Mike Alexander) in the system.

But Kieffer is more than just another body, he's expected to contribute during the second half of the season.

"He's a big, strong kid," Everett coach John Becanic said. "Physically he's very mature and capable of playing in this league. He's a relatively smooth skating kid who has a real heavy shot. Hopefully he'll give us some stability at the back in the sense that we can put out three pairs of D and not have to worry about who they're playing against.

"Now, we have to be realistic," Becanic added. "We've seen every defenseman come here and it's been difficult, whether it's been (Jesse) Zetariuk or (Dane) Crowley or Randy King. It's a difficult transition whether you come from another WHL team or tier II."

As for Kieffer, his first impression is that Everett is a good fit for his needs.

"I like it a lot," he said. "All the guys seem pretty nice, it's a great building and I'm just excited to play.

"This is may draft year, so it's really big for me to get exposure and the exposure in this league us unbelievable," Kieffer added. "All my life I've wanted to get to the show and that's what I'm working for this year."

Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog