EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips are heading on their trip east somewhat earlier than normal this season.
And, they’ll have to do so without their superstar goalie.
Head coach Dennis Williams confirmed Tuesday that Carter Hart has been diagnosed with mononucleosis and will not be accompanying the team on its biennial trip to play the WHL’s Central Division teams.
“He tested positive for (mono on Monday) and he won’t be making the trip,” Williams said after practice Tuesday before the team boarded the bus for Spokane. “That probably explains a little bit of his tiredness since he came back from Philly. That’s why he didn’t play out there and it’s a good thing they were able to diagnosis what it was and get him healthy and get him ready to go.”
Hart missed Everett’s first two regular-season games due to illness, but returned to practice last week and started Friday’s 4-3 shootout victory at Kelowna. He did not start Saturday’s game at Tri-City as he was described as still feeling “under the weather,” but he was summoned to the ice in the second period when Dorrin Luding came off with an upper body injury.
Luding returned to practice Tuesday and will shoulder the load on the upcoming road trip. As of Tuesday evening the Tips had not announced who would back up Luding.
“(Luding) has played a lot of minutes so far this year,” Williams said. “We need to continue to have him play solid. In this league you do rely on your goalie a lot and they gotta makes saves especially when you have breakdowns.”
Tips in Spokane
First the Tips are in Spokane for a game at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday. Then it’s on to Calgary for a Friday night matchup with the Hitmen.
“I’m happy we’re making the long road trip early on,” said Matt Fonteyne, Everett’s co-captain and Alberta native. “I think it’s going to help our group bond together. Road trips are fun.”
Everett (2-2-0, four points) is coming off a disappointing loss at Tri-City on Sunday. The Tips held a 4-3 lead late in the third period, only to watch the Americans score twice in the final three-plus minutes to steal a victory.
“I’m sure a lot of people would take a split out of (last weekend),” Williams said. “But when you get that one on Friday, you really want to get that one on Saturday, especially when you are close in the third. I think that’s what hurt a little bit more.”
Spokane (3-1, six points) leads the U.S. Division, but the Chiefs remain without forward Kailer Yamamoto. The Spokane native, who was a first-round pick by Edmonton in this year’s NHL draft, unexpectedly made the Oilers’ season-opening roster.
Rasmussen returned
The Detroit Red Wings returned forward Michael Rasmussen to the Tri-City Americans over the weekend. Rasmussen, the 6-foot-5 forward from Surrey, B.C., was the ninth overall pick in this year’s draft.
Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings, who was the second overall pick by Philadelphia this year, is on the Flyers’ opening day roster.
Calgary defenseman Jake Bean (Carolina) and Vancouver forward Tyler Benson (Edmonton) remain with their professional teams for the time being.
It’s worth remembering that players can skate in up to nine games before their rookie contracts begin. At that time players are often returned to their junior teams, as was the case with former Seattle Thunderbird Mathew Barzal who came back after skating in two games with the New York Islanders.
Steenbergen, Grant earn weekly plaudits
Swift Current forward Tyler Steenbergen was named the WHL Player of the Week Monday while Prince George goalie Tavin Grant earned Goaltender of the Week honors.
Steenbergen had six goals and three assists as the Broncos went 2-0 last week. He leads the WHL with 11 points this season.
Grant saved all 47 shots he saw in a 3-0 win over the Portland Winterhawks on Oct. 1.
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.
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