Published: Wednesday, September 1, 2010
16-year-old prospects vie for spot on Silvertips' roster
LYNNWOOD -- The next generation of Everett Silvertips is about to stake its first claim on the roster.
This weekend's Holiday Inn Preseason Classic at Comcast Arena will be the first opportunity for Everett's 16-year-old prospects to pull on a Silvertips jersey in a competitive game, and they're determined to prove to Everett's staff that the future is now.
Everett has six 16-year-olds still with the team: forwards Jari Erricson, Jordyn Boyd and Kohl Bauml, defensemen Nicholas Walters and Darian Henry, and goaltender Andy Desautels. Forward Ryan Chynoweth, who's 15 and ineligible to play for the Tips this season, is also still with the team.
Among the 16-year-olds, two are not considered candidates to make the team this year. Bauml and Henry both earned an extra week with the team based on their performance during last week's rookie scrimmages, providing them valuable experience practicing with older players in preparation for making the team next season.
The other four, however, are trying to earn jobs this season. All four have already signed WHL education contracts, meaning they're eligible to participate in preseason games and are likely to be featured at some point this weekend.
Walters is the best bet to earn a roster spot. The resident of St. Albert, Alberta, was selected eighth overall in the 2009 bantam draft, spent time practicing with the team last season, and was the only 16-year-old who skated exclusively with the veterans during last week's training camp. Add in Everett's shortage of numbers on defense and Walters has the inside track on a roster spot -- not that he's taken it to the bank.
"So far, so good," Walters said following Wednesday's practice at Lynnwood Ice Center. "I've got a lot to work on, but I'm just making sure I'm in front when (Tips coach Craig Hartsburg's) drawing up plays on the board, just putting my best effort forth."
Erricson, Boyd and Desautels have a greater task ahead of them to make the team. Everett is awash in forwards with credentials, meaning Erricson and Boyd will need to beat out older players to earn a spot. Desautels is essentially competing with 18-year-old Luke Siemens for the backup goaltending job.
But even if the players don't make the roster this year, it's probably just a matter of time before they find a home in Everett.
"They're all real hard-working kids," Hartsburg said. "Whether it's this year or next year, they're all going to be contributors here. It's just a matter of when they're all ready to play."
Any 16-year-old who makes the team will have to play. The league mandates that 16-year-olds must dress in at least 40 games during the season, meaning to earn a roster spot a 16-year-old will have to prove he can be at least a semi-regular. Last season Everett kept two 16-year-olds, defensemen Ryan Murray and left wing Josh Winquist.
Seven Tips headed to NHL camps
Seven players on Everett's roster will be attending NHL training camps this year. Those seven are forwards Landon Ferraro (Detroit), Josh Birkholz (Florida) and Kellan Tochkin (Vancouver), defensemen Alex Theriau (Dallas) and Rasmus Rissanen (Carolina), and goaltenders Kent Simpson (Chicago) and Thomas Heemskerk (San Jose). All seven are either NHL draft picks or have already signed contracts.
None of the players depart for their NHL camps until next week. That means Everett will have its full roster available for this weekend's three exhibition games, unlike in previous years when some players departed before or during the tournament.
All of Everett's players are expected back except Heemskerk, who is considered a 50-50 bet to earn a job in the professional ranks.
Winquist back on the ice
Winquist has rejoined practice, though on a limited basis. Winquist sat out last week's training camp recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.
Winquist, who had three goals and four assists in 50 games last season as a rookie, is not expected to be cleared for physical contact for another two weeks. He's hoping to be cleared in time for Everett's final two exhibition games on Sept. 17 and 18.
Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
This weekend's Holiday Inn Preseason Classic at Comcast Arena will be the first opportunity for Everett's 16-year-old prospects to pull on a Silvertips jersey in a competitive game, and they're determined to prove to Everett's staff that the future is now.
Everett has six 16-year-olds still with the team: forwards Jari Erricson, Jordyn Boyd and Kohl Bauml, defensemen Nicholas Walters and Darian Henry, and goaltender Andy Desautels. Forward Ryan Chynoweth, who's 15 and ineligible to play for the Tips this season, is also still with the team.
Among the 16-year-olds, two are not considered candidates to make the team this year. Bauml and Henry both earned an extra week with the team based on their performance during last week's rookie scrimmages, providing them valuable experience practicing with older players in preparation for making the team next season.
The other four, however, are trying to earn jobs this season. All four have already signed WHL education contracts, meaning they're eligible to participate in preseason games and are likely to be featured at some point this weekend.
Walters is the best bet to earn a roster spot. The resident of St. Albert, Alberta, was selected eighth overall in the 2009 bantam draft, spent time practicing with the team last season, and was the only 16-year-old who skated exclusively with the veterans during last week's training camp. Add in Everett's shortage of numbers on defense and Walters has the inside track on a roster spot -- not that he's taken it to the bank.
"So far, so good," Walters said following Wednesday's practice at Lynnwood Ice Center. "I've got a lot to work on, but I'm just making sure I'm in front when (Tips coach Craig Hartsburg's) drawing up plays on the board, just putting my best effort forth."
Erricson, Boyd and Desautels have a greater task ahead of them to make the team. Everett is awash in forwards with credentials, meaning Erricson and Boyd will need to beat out older players to earn a spot. Desautels is essentially competing with 18-year-old Luke Siemens for the backup goaltending job.
But even if the players don't make the roster this year, it's probably just a matter of time before they find a home in Everett.
"They're all real hard-working kids," Hartsburg said. "Whether it's this year or next year, they're all going to be contributors here. It's just a matter of when they're all ready to play."
Any 16-year-old who makes the team will have to play. The league mandates that 16-year-olds must dress in at least 40 games during the season, meaning to earn a roster spot a 16-year-old will have to prove he can be at least a semi-regular. Last season Everett kept two 16-year-olds, defensemen Ryan Murray and left wing Josh Winquist.
Seven Tips headed to NHL camps
Seven players on Everett's roster will be attending NHL training camps this year. Those seven are forwards Landon Ferraro (Detroit), Josh Birkholz (Florida) and Kellan Tochkin (Vancouver), defensemen Alex Theriau (Dallas) and Rasmus Rissanen (Carolina), and goaltenders Kent Simpson (Chicago) and Thomas Heemskerk (San Jose). All seven are either NHL draft picks or have already signed contracts.
None of the players depart for their NHL camps until next week. That means Everett will have its full roster available for this weekend's three exhibition games, unlike in previous years when some players departed before or during the tournament.
All of Everett's players are expected back except Heemskerk, who is considered a 50-50 bet to earn a job in the professional ranks.
Winquist back on the ice
Winquist has rejoined practice, though on a limited basis. Winquist sat out last week's training camp recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.
Winquist, who had three goals and four assists in 50 games last season as a rookie, is not expected to be cleared for physical contact for another two weeks. He's hoping to be cleared in time for Everett's final two exhibition games on Sept. 17 and 18.
Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
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