Silvertips think the future is bright

EVERETT — The Silvertips found themselves in all too familiar territory during their 2012-13 WHL campaign, but despite another season of struggles, Everett believes it has taken the first step in breaking its cycle of mediocrity.

For the third consecutive season, Everett had to try to find its balance while navigating through rough waters. A youthful Everett team experienced its share of growing pains, but progress made by rookies, combined with a stronger-than-expected showing in the playoffs, created some optimism despite the regular-season record and first-round postseason exit.

“It was crazy, lots of ups and downs for everyone,” Everett winger Ryan Harrison said. “But I think it showed how hard we really worked. We were really young, and beating Portland twice (in the first round of the playoffs) when everyone counted us out, it was special for the guys.”

Everett’s 10th anniversary season was a transitional one. It was Everett’s first full season under general manager Garry Davidson and the Tips went all-in with the youth movement, ending the season with the youngest roster in the Western Conference. Everett also went through a coaching change when head coach Mark Ferner and assistant coach Chris Hartsburg were fired in January. Davidson took over behind the bench for the remainder of the season on an interim basis.

Despite all the changes, Everett finished with eerily similar mediocre results for the third straight season. The Tips went 25-40-3-4 and placed eighth in the Western Conference.

Everett won 22 games the previous season and 28 the season before that, and the Tips finished eighth all three years. Everett didn’t secure a playoff berth until the final weekend of the regular season all three seasons, and the Tips were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the third consecutive year. All three years, Everett was among the three lowest-scoring teams in the league.

But Everett, going through a complete rebuild, knew it would be a challenging campaign. It was made all the more challenging by a series of injuries that saw just three players reach the 70-game mark. The Tips then finished off the season by extending their first-round playoff series against the Portland Winterhawks to six games when most predicted a four-game sweep.

“It was an up and down year,” center Kohl Bauml said. “We had our struggles, but we had our good times throughout the year. A lot of stuff happened, going through a new coach and everything. But I think we handled it really well and actually pulled together for a pretty successful little playoff run. Not a lot of people were giving us a chance to win one game. I think we proved to ourselves that we can compete with those top teams, and we’re going to compete with those teams the next year or two.”

There were a number of positive developments for the Tips.

Joshua Winquist became a dependable source of offense, leading the team in goals (24) and assists (27) despite missing 21 games because of injuries and illness. Landon Oslanski was a valuable offseason waiver-wire acquisition, adding 17 goals and 31 assists while playing both defense and forward.

Mirco Mueller proved capable of handling the role as the team’s top defenseman at the tender age of 17. Tyler Sandhu was one of the most productive 16-year-olds in the league, finishing with 19 goals and 14 assists. And Austin Lotz, in his first season as the No. 1 goaltender, turned in some spectacular performances, particularly during the playoffs.

“We made a decision to go young, and we did and they played,” Davidson said. “They weren’t just here, they were playing, killing penalties or on the power play. I think it will be good for that group of rookies.

“There were some guys who steadily got better,” Davidson added about the players’ development during the season. “There are some guys who made some small steps and kind of flatlined. But in the end I though there was good progress made by the majority of our players. It was a very good development and growing year for our whole group.”

Part of that development was changing the players’ mindset. Davidson’s primary motivation for making a coaching change was shifting the team’s focus more toward offense. He spent his time behind the bench trying to begin that process in advance of hiring a new coach during the offseason. It didn’t show up in the numbers as Everett still struggled to score goals after the change, but the thought process is slowly beginning to evolve.

“You could tell some guys weren’t so scared to try and make plays,” Bauml said. “We didn’t score a lot of goals this year; we knew we weren’t a goal-scoring team. But in the second half, we were definitely being a little more creative and you could see the offensive instincts of some of the players were coming out a little more.”

So, the Tips believe they’re on the right track. Only time will tell whether the today’s development turns into tomorrow’s victories.

Slap shots

Everett’s season may be done, but two Silvertips will continue playing. Winger Reid Petryk departed Tuesday morning to sign a tryout contract with the American Hockey League’s Lake Erie Monsters and will finish out the season in the professional ranks. Defenseman Mirco Mueller will join Switzerland’s training camp for the U-18 World Championships, which take place April 18-28 in Sochi, Russia. Mueller is expected to make that team. … Everett will not have the services of highly-touted forward Auston Matthews next season. Matthews, a third-round pick in the 2012 bantam draft who is entering his 16-year-old season, has committed to playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program the next two seasons. The Tips are hoping Matthews will come to Everett once he’s completed his stint with the national team.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

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

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink 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)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

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.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

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.