Vets report in, rookies advance

Published 7:27 pm Sunday, August 26, 2007

OK, here’s the list of players who advanced from rookie camp to main camp. Keep in mind that 1991-born defenseman Jeff Regier bypassed rookie camp and went straight to main camp:

Forwards: Brett Chartier (91), Cameron Abney (91), Tyler Parker (92), Byron Froese (91), Justin Waskewitch (92), D.Jay McGrath (92), Kevin Spotts (91), Kellan Tochkin (91), Markus McCrae (92), Paul Grenier (91).

Defensemen: Paul Sohor (91), Gabriel Minville (92), Ryan Maul (91).

Goaltender: Kent Simpson (92).

As for the vets, everyone is here who’s supposed to be here, including Russian Vitali Karamnov. It would seem that Everett had a lot easier time getting Karamnov to North America than others have had trying to get their Russians. For example, the Brandon Wheat Kings have apparently had trouble getting their recently drafted Russian because of the lack of an agreement between the IIHF and the Russian Federation.

There are, however, three notable excused absences: Peter Mueller, Zach Hamill and Leland Irving. Hamill and Irving are with Team Canada for the Canada-Russia Super Series. Mueller, who’s battling a groin injury, is resting up in preparation for training camp with the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes.

So Everett begins camp without its three first-round NHL draft picks, and that illustrates what will be the main story of the preseason for the Tips: Who’s going to be here and who isn’t? Moreso than in any other year Everett has question marks about whether its top players will be back or whether they’ll end up playing professionally. In addition to Mueller, Hamill and Irving, overagers Ondrej Fiala, Dan Gendur and Dane Crowley are also candidates to play pro. Those six are the difference between contending for the Memorial Cup and fighting for a playoff spot.

One other note as main camp begins. I’m reviving the live updates for day one of main camp. We’ll see how it goes this time, since I have a pretty good feel for most of the players already.