The 2016 WHL bantam draft: The day after

Yesterday was the annual WHL bantam draft and the Everett Silvertips added a dozen players to the organization. Of course all 12 probably won’t play in Everett, but at least some of them figure to be in the mix sooner rather than later.

Head scout Bil La Forge was very excited when asked about top pick Ethan Browne, the Sherwood Park, Alberta, forward the Tips took No. 14 overall in the first round. La Forge called Browne “the offensive player we’ve needed for a while” and thinks Browne could make a big impact already as a 16-year-old in the 2017-18 season.

In addition to his skill with the puck Browne likes to play with physicality, both he and La Forge said. Browne said he didn’t know a whole lot about the city or the organization, but that’s to be expected when you are 14 and growing up in central Alberta. He said he does know fellow Sherwood Park native and current Silvertips goaltending wunderkind Carter Hart, so I would think that might make it easier for Browne when he does join the team.

Everett also took forwards Mark Liwiski and Reece Vitelli in the third and fourth rounds, respectively, and both are expected to develop into quality offensive performers. Liwiski is another physical player, and Vitelli is considered a top-end skater, according to La Forge.

With Everett’s recent struggles at convincing its high-end offensive talent to sign – think Auston Matthews, Tyson Jost and Patrick Khodorenko – I asked La Forge if he’s been able to gauge how committed this draft class is to going the WHL route.

“All indications we have right now is that they’re all pretty committed,” La Forge said. “We did take a couple guys later on – a couple American kids that we took that might be tough to recruit. But we’ve got a pretty good indication that these guys are very interested in being part of the Silvertips organization.”

Americans are generally harder to recruit because signing with a WHL team means the forfeiture of their NCAA eligibility. The Tips took 13 Americans in the last two bantam drafts combined, yet took only two in this year’s draft. I don’t know if that’s a conscious shift on Everett’s part or if the organization simply felt these other players were better fits.

Let’s face facts here: Despite the iterations that the Tips draft the best available player regardless of need, it’s clear the organization is in need of top-end offensive skill players.

Everett locked up lots of defensive talent in the last two drafts in the form of players like Jake Christiansen, Wyatte Wylie, Montana Onyebuchi and Gino Fairbrother. If the Tips could even be in the middle of the pack of WHL teams in scoring I think there’s a decent chance we’d be in Brandon right now, and I think Thursday’s draft shows that Everett is trying to address that need.

The Tips went on to add forwards Dylan Holloway, Conrad Mitchell, Ryan Robinson, Alex Young and Michael Horon, defensemen Aaron Hladiuk and Alex Moar, and goalies Dustin Wolf and Danton Belluk.

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.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

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

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.