Published: Friday, October 14, 2011
Silvertips' Maxwell at ease after equaling mark
His 100th career goal tied the Silvertips' franchise record, who he will break with his next score
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Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald
Everett's Tyler Maxwell passes off to a teammate in the Silvertips' game against Kamloops last week. Maxwell's goal against Prince Albert on Tuesday was the 100th of his Everett career, tying the franchise record.
EVERETT -- Tyler Maxwell is making sure the Everett Silvertips record book remains firmly planted in southern California.
Everett's resident sniper and beach bum etched his place in franchise history when he scored his 100th goal for the team during Tuesday's home game against Prince Albert. That tied the franchise record for career goals set by Shane Harper, another native Californian.
Who could have guessed that, in a sport played on ice and dominated by Canadians, the greatest statistical accomplishment in team history would be achieved by two players hailing from the Golden State?
"It feels pretty special," said the 20-year-old Maxwell, who makes his home in Manhattan Beach, Calif. "Shane Harper is a pretty good friend of mine, so it's good to have both of us doing well in this organization. And being from the same place in California, this is very special."
Maxwell had been stalking Harper, who's from Valencia, Calif., since the moment he arrive in Everett as a 17-year-old rookie in 2008. He displayed his goal-scoring acumen immediately, notching 22 goals in 57 games during his rookie season. He followed that up by scoring 33 during the 2009-10 season, then added another 41 last season -- those 41 goals came one short of Harper's single-season franchise mark.
Maxwell was just four short of the century mark when this season began. He quickly got himself within one, scoring three goals in Everett's first three games. He then went scoreless in two straight, missing some opportunities and being robbed by goaltenders on others.
But in the third period of Tuesday's game Maxwell was teed up for No. 100. While on the power play, Everett captain Ryan Murray pinched along the boards and whipped a pass out front to Maxwell, who was able to redirect it into an open net.
"It was pretty awesome to get that off my back," Maxwell said. "I was going through kind of a two-game slump. I know that myself and Ryan Murray were talking before the game about how we needed to pick up our game. He got the puck in the corner and fired it to me in front of the net.
"I was relieved that I tied (the record)," Maxwell added. "I didn't really think about it at first because we were so into the game. But after a sigh of relief I went to the bench with a big smile on my face."
Maxwell's linemate, Josh Birkholz, made sure he fished the puck out of the net so that Maxwell would have it as a keepsake.
"It was something I told him I would do," Birkholz said. "Obviously it's a big moment in his career here to score his 100th goal. I know it meant a lot to him and knew his mom and dad would probably want to hang that puck somewhere in the house, so I figured I'd be the one to go get it."
Maxwell reached the century mark considerably faster than Harper. Maxwell potted No. 100 in his 203rd game with the Tips. Harper needed 334 games to reach 100.
But even though it seemed inevitable, Maxwell was relieved to finally match the record.
"I was mostly thinking about what I needed to do for the games, but it was definitely in the back of my head," Maxwell said. "I was getting my chances and sometimes the puck wasn't bouncing my way. But it's nice to get that one out of the way."
Despite Maxwell having the record hanging over his head, Birkholz said he thought Maxwell handled the situation well.
"He did a good job of not really worrying about getting it," Birkholz said. "He was more focused on the team getting the win. He got the 100th goal, but he wasn't too happy we lost 3-2, so I think that says a lot about his character, that he's a team-first guy. But it's something he's happy about and I'm sure he'll always remember."
With one more goal Maxwell will have the record all to himself. But that record will remain in California.
Slap shots
Thursday was the deadline day for teams to get their rosters down to 25 players and three overagers, and the Tips made no moves. Everett already was set with its three overagers: Maxwell, Birkholz and defenseman Brennan Yadlowski. The Tips still have 26 players on their roster, but center Manraj Hayer doesn't count toward the 25 because he's on the long-term injury list with his broken leg. ... Five Everett prospects were selected to participate in the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup, it was announced Thursday. Center Ty Mappin and defenseman Michael Zipp will play for Alberta, winger Maverick Rafter and defenseman Nigel Hoydalo will represent Manitoba, and center Dawson Leedahl will suit up for Saskatchewan. The tournament takes place Oct. 27-30 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Check out Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.
Everett's resident sniper and beach bum etched his place in franchise history when he scored his 100th goal for the team during Tuesday's home game against Prince Albert. That tied the franchise record for career goals set by Shane Harper, another native Californian.
Who could have guessed that, in a sport played on ice and dominated by Canadians, the greatest statistical accomplishment in team history would be achieved by two players hailing from the Golden State?
"It feels pretty special," said the 20-year-old Maxwell, who makes his home in Manhattan Beach, Calif. "Shane Harper is a pretty good friend of mine, so it's good to have both of us doing well in this organization. And being from the same place in California, this is very special."
Maxwell had been stalking Harper, who's from Valencia, Calif., since the moment he arrive in Everett as a 17-year-old rookie in 2008. He displayed his goal-scoring acumen immediately, notching 22 goals in 57 games during his rookie season. He followed that up by scoring 33 during the 2009-10 season, then added another 41 last season -- those 41 goals came one short of Harper's single-season franchise mark.
Maxwell was just four short of the century mark when this season began. He quickly got himself within one, scoring three goals in Everett's first three games. He then went scoreless in two straight, missing some opportunities and being robbed by goaltenders on others.
But in the third period of Tuesday's game Maxwell was teed up for No. 100. While on the power play, Everett captain Ryan Murray pinched along the boards and whipped a pass out front to Maxwell, who was able to redirect it into an open net.
"It was pretty awesome to get that off my back," Maxwell said. "I was going through kind of a two-game slump. I know that myself and Ryan Murray were talking before the game about how we needed to pick up our game. He got the puck in the corner and fired it to me in front of the net.
"I was relieved that I tied (the record)," Maxwell added. "I didn't really think about it at first because we were so into the game. But after a sigh of relief I went to the bench with a big smile on my face."
Maxwell's linemate, Josh Birkholz, made sure he fished the puck out of the net so that Maxwell would have it as a keepsake.
"It was something I told him I would do," Birkholz said. "Obviously it's a big moment in his career here to score his 100th goal. I know it meant a lot to him and knew his mom and dad would probably want to hang that puck somewhere in the house, so I figured I'd be the one to go get it."
Maxwell reached the century mark considerably faster than Harper. Maxwell potted No. 100 in his 203rd game with the Tips. Harper needed 334 games to reach 100.
But even though it seemed inevitable, Maxwell was relieved to finally match the record.
"I was mostly thinking about what I needed to do for the games, but it was definitely in the back of my head," Maxwell said. "I was getting my chances and sometimes the puck wasn't bouncing my way. But it's nice to get that one out of the way."
Despite Maxwell having the record hanging over his head, Birkholz said he thought Maxwell handled the situation well.
"He did a good job of not really worrying about getting it," Birkholz said. "He was more focused on the team getting the win. He got the 100th goal, but he wasn't too happy we lost 3-2, so I think that says a lot about his character, that he's a team-first guy. But it's something he's happy about and I'm sure he'll always remember."
With one more goal Maxwell will have the record all to himself. But that record will remain in California.
Slap shots
Thursday was the deadline day for teams to get their rosters down to 25 players and three overagers, and the Tips made no moves. Everett already was set with its three overagers: Maxwell, Birkholz and defenseman Brennan Yadlowski. The Tips still have 26 players on their roster, but center Manraj Hayer doesn't count toward the 25 because he's on the long-term injury list with his broken leg. ... Five Everett prospects were selected to participate in the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup, it was announced Thursday. Center Ty Mappin and defenseman Michael Zipp will play for Alberta, winger Maverick Rafter and defenseman Nigel Hoydalo will represent Manitoba, and center Dawson Leedahl will suit up for Saskatchewan. The tournament takes place Oct. 27-30 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Check out Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.
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