EVERETT — Everett Silvertips assistant coach Mitch Love, who earned a gold medal at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, isn’t the only member of Tips personnel who has represented Team Canada this season.
In fact, defenseman Noah Juulsen and goaltender Carter Hart each participated in the CHL Canada-Russia Series several weeks ago while playing for Team WHL. Hart also earned a gold medal with Team Canada at the U-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in the Czech Republic in August.
“It’s unbelievable. You can’t even really describe it,” Hart said. “It’s a huge honor throwing on the maple leaf in front of your chest and going out and showcasing what your country has to offer and play against some of the best players in the world.”
Hart made six saves on nine chances as he played in half of Team WHL’s 7-3 series-opening victory. Juulsen scored a goal and finished plus-2 while appearing in both games as Team WHL beat Russia twice.
The players had to adjust to competing with new teammates that they usually see in another team’s colors.
“You play against them (during the season) so you kind of know the kind of player they are, and their abilities, and their passing abilities,” Juulsen said. “Everyone there is a good player and you just kind of adjust to them as you go.”
Juulsen could get a chance to earn his own gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship scheduled for December and January in Helsinki, Finland. The 18-year-old participated in Team Canada’s World Junior summer camp and is considered likely to receive an invitation to the team selection camp scheduled for Toronto in early December. The invites are expected to be released Tuesday.
Hart, 17, isn’t considered as likely to earn an invitation this year. However, Hart has two more years to make the team.
The tournament begins Dec. 26 and is must-see viewing across Canada.
“It’s like every kid’s dream growing up,” Juulsen said. “You watch (World Juniors) every year. Right after Christmas Day it starts and you watch it for the next week.”
Love echoed his star defenseman’s sentiments. The 31-year-old former Silvertip captain had a prolific junior career and reached the professional ranks with stints in the ECHL and AHL, but wishes he could have represented his country as a player.
“It’s tough, I think, for people in the United States to understand how big something like that is for Hockey Canada,” Love said. “As a young kid you watch the World Juniors at Christmas time, you sit with your family, you open presents and you’re watching a hockey game.
“I was never good enough as a player, like Noah and Carter, to get those opportunities, but now as a coach I’m getting that chance,” he added.
First the Silvertips get the chance to run their winning streak to three games. Everett (13-7-0-2, 28 points) sits only one point behind Spokane (13-9-2-1, 29 points) for second place in the U.S. Division standings.
The Chiefs are coming off a loss to Tri-City, but are 7-2-1-0 in their last 10 games.
Everett split a home-and-home series with the Chiefs two weeks ago. The Chiefs won 3-0 in Spokane Nov. 11 before the Tips returned the favor 5-2 two nights later.
Kailer Yamamoto (eight goals, 27 assists), Jason Fram (seven goals, 18 assists), Adam Helewka (13 goals, 12 assists) and Dominic Zwerger (nine goals, 10 assists) are the top offensive performers for the Chiefs.
Lasse Petersen shut out the Tips in Spokane and has split time with Tyson Verhelst at goaltender.
Remi Laurencelle has been on a point-scoring tear lately and the Silvertips overager will look extend his point streak to nine games. Laurencelle (10 goals, 10 assists) leads the Tips in points, while Patrick Bajkov and Carson Stadnyk each have a dozen assists. Matt Fonteyne and Graham Millar both have scored six times.
Hart (13-6-0-2) has four shutouts in his last six games. He leads the league in goals-against average (1.64) and save percentage (.938).
Notes
The Tips will be without captain Dawson Leedahl for several weeks after the 19-year-old suffered an ankle injury during Friday night’s win over Moose Jaw. He will be reexamined on Monday. … Forward Sean Mallonee was reassigned to the North Iowa Bulls of the NA3HL. The team is based in Mason City. Mallonee had one assist in four games, but hasn’t played since Oct. 16.
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