It looks like the Silvertips will be without a second key player for Saturday’s season opener in Kent.
I haven’t found any official announcement, but Everett defenseman Ben Betker is listed among the skating groups for the Edmonton Oilers’ main training camp, which begins on-ice sessions Friday morning. Therefore, I think it’s safe to assume that Betker, a sixth-round pick by Edmonton in the 2013 NHL draft, will be sticking with the Oilers at least through the weekend. Betker, as a 20-year-old, is eligible to play this season in the minors, so it’s still possible he’ll earn a professional contract and not return to the Tips, though the likelihood of that remains small.
Betker’s inclusion in Edmonton’s training camp means Everett will be missing two players Saturday because of NHL training camps, as goaltender Austin Lotz advanced to main camp with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks.
Everett’s other player at an NHL rookie camp, winger Dawson Leedahl (Boston), has returned to the Tips and will be available Saturday when Everett takes on Seattle.
There’s one other Everett-related name that needs to be mentioned with regards to NHL training camps: Mirco Mueller. Mueller has been the source of much speculation this preseason, with the 19-year-old defenseman skipping Everett’s training camp and preseason to head straight to camp with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, who selected Mueller in the first round of the 2013 NHL draft. There’s plenty of sentiment that Mueller will stick with the Sharks, who are rebuilding on the blue line. If he doesn’t, he’ll be sent back to Everett. Well, here’s the opinion of the Sharks beat writer for the San Jose Mercury News:
Not a sure thing by any means, @QuakesFan84, but better than 50-50. Let’s go with 6/5 that @25Mueller makes it. But no wagering, please.
— David Pollak (@PollakOnSharks) September 18, 2014
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
