EVERETT — Teenage hockey players milled about the Xfinity Arena foyer Wednesday, queuing up to register for Everett Silvertips camp, have their measurements taken, and don a jersey for official individual headshots.
Wednesday was check-in and orientation for the returning veterans and other listed players for head coach Kevin Constantine’s team. Free-agent players will arrive Thursday as the defending WHL U.S. Division champion Silvertips open camp with four practice sessions at Xfinity Arena. The sessions, which are scheduled to run for 75 minutes, begin at 11 a.m. and are open to the public.
“Initially they look like they’re in good shape and ready to get going,” said Everett general manager Garry Davidson. “We’re looking forward to seeing them on the ice.”
Approximately 80 players will be in camp this weekend before the list is pared down to roughly 30 athletes by Monday. The group also includes a number of 15-year-olds, who, though not eligible for WHL play this season, will get a chance to see how they match up with older players.
“They’re coming in here to see what we’re all about, and we’re trying to see where they are at too,” Davidson said. “The following season they’re actually eligible to play here, so that kind of changes the approach.”
Among the key returnees Wednesday were 18-year-old defenseman Noah Juulsen, 20-year-old winger Carson Stadnyk and 17-year-old goaltender Carter Hart.
Juulsen, a native of Abbotsford, B.C., was the No. 26 selection in last June’s NHL draft by the Montreal Canadiens, and participated in Montreal’s development camp in July. Stadnyk, a Saskatoon native who is Everett’s leading returning scorer, attended development camp with the St. Louis Blues.
Hart, of Sherwood Park, Alberta, emerged as the starting goaltender last season as a 16-year-old.
Other returning players who attended development camps this summer include 18-year-old defenseman Kevin Davis (Edmonton), 19-year-old defenseman Tristen Pfeifer (Arizona) and 20-year-old goalkeeper Austin Lotz (Buffalo).
The players are divided into four teams which participate in a round-robin tournament against one another Friday and Saturday. Play begins at 8 a.m. both days and culminates with the third-place game at 3 p.m. Saturday followed by the gold medal game at 4:45. The first week concludes with the annual Green and Grey Game at 3 p.m. Sunday at Xfinity Arena.
An addition to this year’s camp includes a Rookie Game scheduled for 8 a.m. Sunday. The contest will feature a number of 15- and 16-year-old players to give the Silvertips brass an additional opportunity to observe potential future players.
“(We want to) see how they stack up against their peers because in their first few days they’re playing against much older players,” Davidson said. “We’re going to try it this year and see if it gives us any extra insight into where they’re at.”
Follow Silvertips writer Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse
Camp Schedule
The schedule for the Everett Silvertips’ training camp at Xfinity Arena in Everett. All sessions are open to the public.
Thursday
11:00 a.m-3:45 p.m. Practice sessions
Friday
8 a.m. Team Grey vs. Team Green
9:45 a.m. Team Blue vs. Team Red
3 p.m. Team Grey vs. Team Blue
4:45 p.m. Team Green vs. Team Red
Saturday
8 a.m. Team Red vs. Team Grey
9:45 a.m. Team Blue vs. Team Green
3:00 p.m. Third-place game
4:45 p.m. Volunteer Cup title game
Sunday
8 a.m. Rookie Game
3 p.m. Green vs. Grey Game
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