Coach’s health on minds of Tips players, management

EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips are reeling from the news that head coach Craig Hartsburg requires heart surgery. However, they want Hartsburg to know he has their full support.

“Any time you hear about something like that the first thing you think about is the person’s health,” Everett general manager Doug Soetaert said. “That’s the priority in this situation. Hockey for him is secondary.

“The priority is to get Craig the best medical help he can, get the procedure done and we all move forward.”

Hartsburg was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm. He’s scheduled for two procedures, a minor preliminary procedure on Wednesday followed by open-heart surgery in early November. He will take a week off beginning Wednesday for the initial procedure. Then after surgery he’s expected to be out until after Christmas.

Soetaert and the rest of the coaching staff has been aware of Hartsburg’s situation for about a month and were aware heart surgery was a possibility.

“We’d talked about it a little,” said Everett associate head coach Jay Varady, who will take over the head-coaching duties while Hartsburg is unavailable. “He knew he had some appointments coming up and just said to be aware of the situation that was taking place.

“My first reaction was concern for Craig, just to make sure everything’s OK and everything’s taken care of,” Varady added. “Health comes first.”

The players were informed of Hartsburg’s situation during a team meeting following Monday’s practice, and the news came as a shock.

“None of us were expecting it,” Tips captain Landon Ferraro said. “We didn’t know anything about it. It’s not anything you want to hear about anyone on your team or part of the staff. It’s important for him to get healthy and make sure everything’s good with him before he comes back to us. There’s nothing we can do to help other than to keep playing and keep trying to move on, make him happy that way. I just wish him the best.”

Varady and assistant coach Chris Hartsburg, Craig Hartsburg’s son, will take on greater duties while Craig Hartsburg is gone.

Varady in particular has plenty of credentials to fill in for Craig Hartsburg. Varady has been an Everett coach since the team began play in 2003. He’s now in his fourth season as the team’s associate head coach.

“Jay and Chris will be able to handle things,” Soetaert said. “I have all kinds of confidence in both those coaches.”

And the players want to make sure they play well for Craig Hartsburg while he’s gone.

“We need to make sure we stay focused and not let this affect us in a bad way,” Ferraro said. “There’s no excuse for it. Just because he’s gone doesn’t mean we can slack off or anything. That’s not going to happen. Jay and Chris will make sure of that, and that’s what our leadership group is there for as well. We’re going to make sure everyone’s playing as well as we can and we don’t back off at all.”

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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.