First practice in the books

The Silvertips conducted their first official practice sessions today at the Comcast Community Ice Rink, following last week's training camp. This marked the beginning of the coaching staff beginning to implement its systems. With 35 players still around the players were split into two separate practice groups, and boy was the ice surfacing job between sessions a rough one. Anyway, here's some notes from the first practice:

- First a correction. Everett head scout Bil La Forge informed me before practice that goaltender Troy Trombley is not a non-listed invitee as previously reported. He was actually listed by the Tips bout a month ago.

- Goaltender Austin Lotz was on the ice with his teammates for the first time. Lotz sat out training camp because of a hamstring strain, but he was going full speed today.

- All the players who missed time during camp were back. That included winger Trent Lofthouse, who had to leave Sunday's Green vs. Grey Game after being crunched hard into the boards, and goaltender Andy Desautels, who was bowled over during his final scrimmage Sunday morning and sat out the Green vs. Grey Game.

- Center Kohl Bauml (shoulder) participated fully in practice, though he was still wearing a no-contact jersey.

- All the 16-year-olds still with the team -- forwards Ty Mappin, Dawson Leedahl and Tyler Sandhu, defenseman Micheal Zipp -- are still wearing full cages on their helmets, so it seems none have been handed a roster spot just yet.

- Lucas Grayson was back playing defense today. The veteran defenseman skated as a forward during the Green vs. Grey Game.