Silvertips coach Constantine enforces ‘warrior’ mentality

EVERETT — All but four of the 25 players currently on the Everett Silvertips roster hail from Canada, so head coach Kevin Constantine, a Minnesota native, likes to impart a little American history to his foreign-born charges.

To do so, Constantine draws on Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones to inspire the ‘warrior’ mentality he and the coaching staff desire for the physicality of hockey.

It was Jones who famously penned, “I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast for I intend to go in harm’s way.”

“Harm’s way” in the Tips vernacular means going to the rink’s “hard areas” — namely the middle of the rink and the front of the net — because that’s where the goals are scored.

“The core of the game still is a battle — it’s a physical battle,” Constantine said. “It’s mini one-on-one competitions all over the rink. That’s the foundation, so being a warrior is first and foremost. To create anything offensively you have to go to the hard areas. … To do that you’re also going to face defensive pressure and checking.”

Hockey shares many physical characteristics with football, the sport most frequently associated with war imagery in the United States.

That fact isn’t lost on Constantine.

“It’s no different than being a receiver in football,” Constantine said. “You’re going up for the ball and you’re going to get hit before you come down with it. And if you can’t conquer that and you’re not willing to put yourself in harm’s way as a receiver you’re going to drop a lot of balls. It’s the same in hockey.”

Wednesday in Kelowna it was captain Dawson Leedahl who went into harm’s way by crashing the net and putting a rebound of a missed shot past Rockets goaltender Jackson Whistle for a 2-1 victory over the defending WHL champions.

The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for the Silvertips and a nine-game home winning streak for the Rockets.

“We played really hard (Wednesday) night — it was one of the harder games we’ve played,” Leedahl said. “We were ferocious in getting all the pucks and in hitting guys.”

Wednesday the Silvertips assaulted the Kelowna defenders with a barrage of 35 shots, 20 of which came in a scoreless third period that necessitated the ensuing overtime.

Unlike the previous two contests, both losses to Vancouver, the Tips improved as the game progressed following a five-shot opening period.

“(The coaches) pointed out that our last two second periods had been really poor, so we wanted to prove that we could play in the second period,” Leedahl said. “And we tired them out because they didn’t have many bodies.”

The Rockets dressed just 17 skaters as they are without three players who are competing at the World Junior Championships and two who were suspended.

“You put those five players back on the ice and they score more goals so we have to keep that in perspective,” Constantine said. “(That is) taking nothing away from the fact I liked how we worked (Wednesday) night, so that was good. But they’re missing some key guys.”

Riley Stadel will return from suspension for the Rockets when the teams square off again Friday at a special start time of 2 p.m. at Xfinity Arena.

The Silvertips (20-12-0-2, 42 points) remain a point back of Seattle in the U.S. Division standings and have a game in hand of the Thunderbirds. Everett concludes a difficult four-game week at Kamloops on Saturday.

For latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.