EVERETT — The Everett tenure of Silvertips goaltender and fan favorite Austin Lotz appears to be at an end.
Reports on social media late Monday and early Tuesday said Lotz had been released, but the 20-year-old goaltender is still on the Everett roster and has not been released by the organization.
However, Lotz has headed home to Manitoba to await the WHL deadline to cut the number of overage players on each roster to three on October 16. Everett currently has 20-year-olds Carson Stadnyk, Remi Laurencelle and Cole MacDonald on the roster. If Lotz is not traded he becomes eligible for the WHL overage draft. If he is unselected in the overage draft he becomes a free agent.
“Honestly for me it became a little much to sit and watch the guys play and not be on the ice,” Lotz said when reached by phone Tuesday morning. “I thought it was best for me to go home and wait it out.”
Lotz was inactive for Everett’s first three games of the season while 17-year-old goaltender Carter Hart has started each night.
“I think it was a bit of a frustrating time for him to be sitting on the bench,” Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson said Tuesday. “I think he came to a mutual agreement with the coaches (on the decision).”
It became apparent that Lotz would be the odd man out when Hart assumed starting goaltending duties last season. Eighteen-year-old Mario Petit secured the backup role with an impressive preseason in which he allowed just two goals in more than 160 minutes of ice time.
In addition, Everett’s other three overagers were named alternate captains.
“It wasn’t productive anymore for either side to do anything other than move forward,” Silvertips coach Kevin Constantine said. “It’s tough to be here and be around for a long time and you kind of know you’re not going to play unless something catastrophic happens. I think both of us thought it would be better for him to go relax at home. This is all going to get settled within a week from now.”
A native of St. Adolphe, Manitoba, Lotz was popular with Silvertips fans and players alike. His social media accounts were full of teammates and fans wishing him well on Tuesday.
Lotz fashioned a 25-15-1-3 record in 48 games last season. His goals-against average was 2.73 and his save percentage was .901. His regular season numbers for his Tips career include a 73-61-7-8 record with a 2.95 GAA and a .902 save percentage. Lotz’s career postseason numbers were a 3-7-1-0 record with a 4.07 GAA and .882 save percentage.
Lotz had only superlatives for his time with the Silvertips organization. Drafted at 14, he has spent more than a quarter of his life with the organization, he noted.
“Honestly I don’t really have words for it,” he said. “Everett became my second home if not my first home. The memories I’ve made here are beyond me, and it’s incredible.”
The feeling was mutual for the Everett organization.
“He’s family,” Constantine said. “It’s like raising children. Eventually they move on. Kids aren’t going to stay under your roof forever. Everybody moves on at some point, but you’re still family. You still stay in touch with each other and help each other. You’re family, so anybody that plays in this organization becomes family forever.”
Follow Silvertips writer Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse.
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