Ontario League team to play in Silvertips' tourney

EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips are expanding their competitive horizons.

The Tips reached beyond the boundaries of the Western Hockey League to create their 2010 preseason schedule, inviting the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League to their preseason tournament.

Everett faces Sault Ste. Marie, a three-time OHL champion and winner of the 1993 Memorial Cup, at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3, at Comcast Arena. The Greyhounds play Portland on the second day of the tournament and Tri-City on the third day.

This is the first time Everett will face a team from one of the other major-junior hockey leagues.

“We're pretty excited to be able to do this,” Everett general manager Doug Soetaert said. “It's a big thing for our tournament, bringing in a team that no one has seen and is a member of the OHL. It's something new for the fans and the city.”

The arrival of the Greyhounds came about through a series of circumstances. Everett's preseason tournament usually includes all five U.S. Division teams, plus one B.C. Division team. However, none of the B.C. Division teams were available this year.

Soetaert then set his sights beyond the WHL. After having one possibility fall through, Soetaert approached Sault Ste. Marie (also known as the Soo). He enlisted the help of Tips coach Craig Hartsburg, who coached the Greyhounds in 2001-02 and from 2004-08, in the recruiting effort.

“Hartsy put a bug in their coach's ear, and I talked to their GM,” Soetaert said. “They're going to use it as a team-building thing. They're happy about coming out and we're happy they're coming in.”

The Greyhounds went 36-27-1-4 last season, finishing third in the five-team West Division. Their top players include 19-year-old center Brett Thompson, who scored 42 goals last season, and 17-year-old center Daniel Catenacci, a top prospect for the 2011 NHL draft.

Soetaert said the inclusion of a team from outside the WHL at the preseason tournament could continue in the future. He said he was approached by two other teams from the OHL and one from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League about the possibility of participating in the future.

Home opener announced.

The WHL announced its list of home openers Monday. Everett's first home game takes place on Saturday, Sept. 25, against the Vancouver Giants. The game begins at 7:05 p.m.

Everett was not listed as any other team's home opener.

Import draft today

The Canadian Hockey League import draft takes place today.

The draft is used to distribute European players among the three major-junior leagues: the WHL, OHL and QMJHL. Each team is allowed two European players. The draft is two rounds.

Everett holds the 52nd pick in the first round. The Tips are expecting to lose Czech defenseman Radko Gudas to the professional ranks, which would open up a roster spot alongside Finnish defenseman Rasmus Rissanen.

Soetaert said he expects to make one selection, but said it's possible the Tips will pass if the players they want are not available.

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