Everett has three players headed to NHL rookie training camps this week.
Defenseman Ben Betker, a sixth-round pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2013 NHL draft, is headed to his second training camp with the Oilers. As a 20-year-old Betker is eligible to play in the AHL this season, so there’s a possibility he’ll impress Edmonton enough to earn a contract and play in the pros. However, since Betker is a late birthdate, Edmonton still holds his rights for another year before having to sign him. Betker also said there’s something of a logjam on defense for Edmonton at the AHL level. Therefore, he’s expected to be sent back to Everett.
Two other players received free agent tryouts.
Goaltender Austin Lotz is headed to camp with the Vancouver Canucks. This is also the 19-year-old Lotz’s second NHL camp, as he attended camp with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. Lotz participated in Vancouver’s development camp over the summer, so he apparently showed enough to warrant another invite to rookie camp. Being a lifelong Canucks fan — he had a poster of Dan Cloutier on the wall of his room while growing up in St. Adolphe, Manitoba — he’s particularly thrilled about the opportunity.
Both Betker and Lotz will be playing in the Penticton Young Stars Classic Friday through Monday.
The other Everett player who’s receiving a tryout is winger Dawson Leedahl, who’s going to camp with the Boston Bruins. The 18-year-old Leedahl attended development camp over the summer with the Calgary Flames, but he decided to go to rookie camp with Boston instead. He and the Bruins are participating in the Predators Rookie Tournament this weekend in Nashville.
Also attending a rookie camp is defenseman Mirco Mueller. The 19-year-old skipped Everett’s training camp and preseason in favor of going straight to camp with the San Jose Sharks. He’s considered a candidate to make the Sharks roster, but if he doesn’t he’ll be sent back to Everett.
None of those players will be available for Everett’s final preseason games, this weekend’s home-and-home set against Seattle.
Everett made one roster move today, releasing winger Chris Stockl. Stockl was with the team on a tryout after being released by Red Deer during the offseason. The 19-year-old from Winnipeg, Manitoba, had one goal and one assist in four preseason contests.
Stockl’s release leaves Everett with 27 players on the roster: 15 forwards, eight defensemen and four goaltenders. They are:
Goaltenders (4) — Austin Lotz (95), Nik Amundrud (97), Mario Petit (97), Carter Hart (98).
Defensemen (8) — Ben Betker (94), Cole MacDonald (95), Carter Cochrane (96), Tristen Pfeifer (96), Lucas Skrumeda (96), Kevin Davis (97), Noah Juulsen (97), Jordan Wharrie (97).
Forwards (15) — Kohl Bauml (94), Zane Jones (94), Brayden Low (94), Logan Aasman (95), Remi Laurencelle (95), Carson Stadnyk (95), Dawson Leedahl (96), Graham Millar (96), Ivan Nikolishin (96), Tyler Sandhu (96), Patrick Bajkov (97), Matt Fonteyne (97), Nik Malenica (97), Addison Runey (97), Gunnar Wegleitner (98).
Two other things:
– Everett has a new athletic trainer. Wayne Duncan has been hired by the team to take over for Marc Paquet, who was hired by the Calgary Flames organization to be the athletic trainer for its AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Flames. Duncan had been working with high schools in the Highline School District south of Seattle, and he has previous hockey experience in the ECHL.
– The photo I snapped from practice today suggests an arena name change is imminent. I’m told the signs on the freeway have also been changed to reflect the new name. There was nothing on the outside of the building yet, however.
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