Silvertips will join Stealth, try their hand at lacrosse

EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips are stepping out of their comfort zone.

It still involves holding sticks and trying to score into a net. But it’s missing some key ingredients: most notably ice.

The Tips will be trying their hand at a different sport when they don the lacrosse gear alongside the Washington Stealth for Thursday night’s inaugural Comcast Arena Classic, a benefit lacrosse game.

“It should be interesting,” said Tips winger Ryan Harrison, who played one year of lacrosse about 10 years ago. “I know lots of the guys aren’t very good at it, so it should be fun.”

The game begins at 7 p.m. Thursday with all proceeds going to local youth hockey and lacrosse programs. The plan is for a similar benefit game next year to be played on the ice.

“It’s nice to support the Everett youth programs because they support us and the Stealth,” Harrison said. “So just to give back to them and show our support for the community is really good.”

Despite the similarity in the sports, Everett’s players have limited experience playing lacrosse. The Tips have been preparing for the game with a lacrosse stick. That’s right, a lacrosse stick. Singular. Goaltender Austin Lotz was given a stick when he joined Stealth defenseman Kyle Sorensen for a television interview promoting the event last week, and the Tips have played around with it in the locker room.

“It’s going to be fun,” said Tips center Brayden Low, the closest thing Everett has to a ringer since he played organized lacrosse as recently as a year ago.

“We’re all looking forward to it. I think some of the guys are a little nervous to play against the guys who know what they’re doing. But I’ve played for six or seven years, so it’ll be fun to get the stick back in the hands.”

But while a handful of players have some lacrosse experience, it was generally well in the past, and the Tips are keeping their expectations low.

“It’s going to probably be a lot of missed passes, shots are probably going to bounce and hit the ground first and go over the glass a couple times,” Low said. “Hopefully it won’t be too bad for the fans, but it will be a lot of fun.”

The good news for the Tips is that it’s not a head-to-head match-up with the Stealth. Players from the Tips and the Stealth will be distributed between two teams, with the Stealth providing the goaltender for both squads. As of Tuesday afternoon the rosters had yet to be determined.

“Half the Stealth mixed with half of us should be a good time,” Harrison said. “Hopefully they pass us the ball and don’t do it all themselves because we suck. But it should be fun.

“Going through (the 10-game) losing streak, it’s nice to get away from the game of hockey and have some fun with some other professions.”

Sandhu selected

The Tri-City Herald released the results of its annual Best of the West poll over the weekend, and Everett’s Tyler Sandhu was the only Silvertips player to top a category. Sandhu was voted the Western Conference’s best 16-year-old in polling that included the conference’s players, management and broadcasters.

Sandhu earned 56.8 percent of the maximum possible voting score. He narrowly edged out Kelowna forward Rourke Chartier (51.5 percent) and Victoria defenseman Joe Hickets (50.5 percent).

Sandhu, a native of Richmond, B.C., who’s played primarily at right wing this season, is currently tied with Chartier for first in scoring among the Western Conference’s 16-year-olds, tallying 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 50 games. His point total is the highest by an Everett 16-year-old since Ryan Murray had 27 in 2009-10, and the most by a Tips 16-year-old forward since Kyle Beach posted 61 points while being named the league’s rookie of the year in 2006-07.

“It’s obviously an honor,” said Sandhu, who was not expecting to earn the honor. “Having all those people vote for me is really nice. But it wouldn’t have happened without my teammates. They’ve been unreal.”

Check out Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

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.