Published: Friday, November 21, 2008
Silvertips' freshman chemistry
The rookie line of Kellan Tochkin, Byron Froese and Tyler Maxwell has been a study in success this season for the Everett Silvertips
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Elizabeth Armstrong / The Herald
Silvertips rookie Byron Froese (left) looks up at the clock during Everett's game with Portland on Wednesday night. Seated next to him (from left to right) are Kellan Tochkin and Tyler Maxwell, the other two members of the Tips' rookie line. Maxwell scored a goal, Tochkin contributed three assists and Froese had one assist in the 7-1 win over Portland.
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Elizabeth Armstrong / The Herald
Everett's Tyler Maxwell skates against Portland Wednesday.
EVERETT -- There's this nebulous term thrown about frequently in hock-ey, particularly when describing the ability of three forwards to form together as a line.
That term is "chemistry."
As far as forward lines are concerned, chemistry is used to describe a group's synergistic ability to be greater than the sum of its parts. If a line seems to click together, it's said to have chemistry. If it doesn't, the chemistry is said to be lacking.
How does a line achieve chemistry? Some say there's a formula, that among the three forwards there needs to be a certain cumulative degree of goal scoring, playmaking and grit. Others say it requires a level of like-mindedness, so that the players' thoughts are always in sync.
The truth is, however, that no one can say with certainty what creates chemistry between three players.
But while no one knows just how it's created, one thing for sure is that Kellan Tochkin, Byron Froese and Tyler Maxwell have chemistry.
The Everett Silvertips trio of 17-year-old rookies has taken the WHL by storm, and much of it can be attributed to the on-ice synergism that's developed among the three.
"I think chemistry is a great word for what they have," Everett coach John Becanic said. "I think chemistry comes from unselfishness. Whether it's relationships, marriages, whatever, chemistry is there because there's give and take. I think there's give and take with those three guys."
Said Froese: "It's been awesome, and it's been a lot of fun. As soon as we got that first goal, we started flying out there."
How much difference does chemistry make? During the first nine games of the season Tochkin, Froese and Maxwell did little to distinguish themselves. Tochkin was scoring points, but more in a deferential manner on a line with Tips star Kyle Beach. Froese was an anonymous member of Everett's fourth line with just three assists to his name. Maxwell, who showed promise during the preseason, hadn't found his niche on the team and had but a single point.
That all changed Oct. 15 in Vancouver. Tochkin (right wing), Froese (center) and Maxwell (left wing) were thrown together during the third period against the Giants in an effort to shake things up. The Tips had been hammered in the first two periods, but Tochkin scored twice in the final three minutes to force overtime. Everett ended up winning in a shootout.
Two days later in their first full game together, all three found the net -- combining seven points in a thrilling 8-6 home victory against Kelowna.
It's been just more of the same ever since. In their 14 full games together, Tochkin has six goals and 13 assists; Froese has five goals and 11 assists; and Maxwell has seven goals and nine assists. The 51 total points averages out to 3.6 points per game. Over a full season that equates to a 98-point season for Tochkin and 82-point seasons for Froese and Maxwell.
"Just three young guys trying to make a name for themselves in the league," Tochkin said. "We're all working hard. Like every coach says, with hard work comes results. We've been working hard and lucky to get results."
So where do those three believe the chemistry comes from? They believe it includes both structural elements -- the collection of skills between the three of them -- and their ability to connect on a personal level.
"All three of us bring a different asset to the table," Maxwell said. "I think Tochkin brings good vision and can move the puck well. Froese is a good defensive guy as well as contributing offense. And I think I bring speed and skill to the line and can finish when those guys get me the puck. When you combine those three it makes for a good line."
Chimed in Froese: "We just started bonding off the ice as soon as we were put on that line, and I think we just started having fun off the ice. Then when we went on the ice, we knew each other a bit better and we started knowing each other's patterns."
The development of the Tochkin-Froese-Maxwell line has been a boon for the Tips. With heavy losses from last season's team, especially up front, Everett needed someone to replace the departed scoring. Tochkin, Froese and Maxwell have answered the bell and are a big reason why the Tips are exceeding expectations.
The only thing the line seems to be missing is an appropriate nickname.
"Whatever the fans want to call us they can do that," Tochkin said. "We're just an average-Joe line. We're just going to keep going and hopefully the puck will continue on our side."
Slap shots: Everett defenseman Taylor Ellington avoided suspension for his major penalty and game misconduct at the end of Wednesday's 7-1 victory over Portland. However, Portland's Tayler Jordan, who also received a major penalty and game misconduct, was suspended one game for his crosscheck on Beach. ... The Tips expect to have key checking forward Jesse Burt back in the lineup tonight. Burt sat out Wednesday's game because of a bruised ankle. However, forward Ryan White re-aggravated his ankle injury Wednesday and is not expected to play tonight.
Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
That term is "chemistry."
As far as forward lines are concerned, chemistry is used to describe a group's synergistic ability to be greater than the sum of its parts. If a line seems to click together, it's said to have chemistry. If it doesn't, the chemistry is said to be lacking.
How does a line achieve chemistry? Some say there's a formula, that among the three forwards there needs to be a certain cumulative degree of goal scoring, playmaking and grit. Others say it requires a level of like-mindedness, so that the players' thoughts are always in sync.
The truth is, however, that no one can say with certainty what creates chemistry between three players.
But while no one knows just how it's created, one thing for sure is that Kellan Tochkin, Byron Froese and Tyler Maxwell have chemistry.
The Everett Silvertips trio of 17-year-old rookies has taken the WHL by storm, and much of it can be attributed to the on-ice synergism that's developed among the three.
"I think chemistry is a great word for what they have," Everett coach John Becanic said. "I think chemistry comes from unselfishness. Whether it's relationships, marriages, whatever, chemistry is there because there's give and take. I think there's give and take with those three guys."
Said Froese: "It's been awesome, and it's been a lot of fun. As soon as we got that first goal, we started flying out there."
How much difference does chemistry make? During the first nine games of the season Tochkin, Froese and Maxwell did little to distinguish themselves. Tochkin was scoring points, but more in a deferential manner on a line with Tips star Kyle Beach. Froese was an anonymous member of Everett's fourth line with just three assists to his name. Maxwell, who showed promise during the preseason, hadn't found his niche on the team and had but a single point.
That all changed Oct. 15 in Vancouver. Tochkin (right wing), Froese (center) and Maxwell (left wing) were thrown together during the third period against the Giants in an effort to shake things up. The Tips had been hammered in the first two periods, but Tochkin scored twice in the final three minutes to force overtime. Everett ended up winning in a shootout.
Two days later in their first full game together, all three found the net -- combining seven points in a thrilling 8-6 home victory against Kelowna.
It's been just more of the same ever since. In their 14 full games together, Tochkin has six goals and 13 assists; Froese has five goals and 11 assists; and Maxwell has seven goals and nine assists. The 51 total points averages out to 3.6 points per game. Over a full season that equates to a 98-point season for Tochkin and 82-point seasons for Froese and Maxwell.
"Just three young guys trying to make a name for themselves in the league," Tochkin said. "We're all working hard. Like every coach says, with hard work comes results. We've been working hard and lucky to get results."
So where do those three believe the chemistry comes from? They believe it includes both structural elements -- the collection of skills between the three of them -- and their ability to connect on a personal level.
"All three of us bring a different asset to the table," Maxwell said. "I think Tochkin brings good vision and can move the puck well. Froese is a good defensive guy as well as contributing offense. And I think I bring speed and skill to the line and can finish when those guys get me the puck. When you combine those three it makes for a good line."
Chimed in Froese: "We just started bonding off the ice as soon as we were put on that line, and I think we just started having fun off the ice. Then when we went on the ice, we knew each other a bit better and we started knowing each other's patterns."
The development of the Tochkin-Froese-Maxwell line has been a boon for the Tips. With heavy losses from last season's team, especially up front, Everett needed someone to replace the departed scoring. Tochkin, Froese and Maxwell have answered the bell and are a big reason why the Tips are exceeding expectations.
The only thing the line seems to be missing is an appropriate nickname.
"Whatever the fans want to call us they can do that," Tochkin said. "We're just an average-Joe line. We're just going to keep going and hopefully the puck will continue on our side."
Slap shots: Everett defenseman Taylor Ellington avoided suspension for his major penalty and game misconduct at the end of Wednesday's 7-1 victory over Portland. However, Portland's Tayler Jordan, who also received a major penalty and game misconduct, was suspended one game for his crosscheck on Beach. ... The Tips expect to have key checking forward Jesse Burt back in the lineup tonight. Burt sat out Wednesday's game because of a bruised ankle. However, forward Ryan White re-aggravated his ankle injury Wednesday and is not expected to play tonight.
Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
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