Top 10 of 2007

Published 4:49 pm Sunday, December 30, 2007

So, since the end of 2007 is upon us, and since the top 10 list seems to be the staple of this time of year, I figured I’d do my own top 10 list: The Everett Silvertip franchise’s top 10 developments of 2007. Now, I’m pretty much doing this off the top of my head, so I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. Feel free to add your imput. Here we go:

10) The Herald’s creation of the Silvertips blog: Ah yes, how could I resist a little shameless self promotion. But when this thing began during last season’s playoffs I never expected it to have a life of its own, or for it to develop the following it has. It’s status as one of the most popular blogs on our site has been quite the motivating factor to keep it vibrant, and I’m happy to provide up-to-the-moment updates as well as a little analysis for you diehard fans.

9) Kent Simpson drafted in the first round of the bantam draft: Never before had the Tips gone anywhere close to as high for a goaltender. Using a first rounder marks Simpson as the man for the future.

8) Eric Doyle traded for Dane Crowley and Jordan Mistelbacher: Arguably the biggest trade in franchise history as Doyle, a first-round bantam pick and potential first-round NHL draft pick (though he fell off the charts and ended up undrafted) was sent to Swift Current for Crowley, a legit No. 1 defenseman, and Mistelbacher, a solid forward prospect.

7) Zach Hamill selected eighth overall in the NHL draft: For the second straight season the Tips had a player taken eighth overall as the Boston Bruins nabbed Hamill. Apparently the NHL approves of what’s happening in Everett.

6) Tips lose their voices: Two voices became synonymous with the Tips during the first four seasons: broadcaster Keith Gerhart and public address announcer Dave Piland. Gerhart moved on, while Piland succumbed to his fight with cancer. Both were beloved by the fans. It’s a fitting tribute that Piland’s son, Greg, has taken over the p.a. duties with a voice that mimics his father to a T.

5) Kyle Beach takes the baton as the league’s most despised player: OK, this might have actually happened way back when he was a 15-year-old. But it was really in the last year that Beach cemented himself as the player opposing teams and fans love to hate, and with Medicine Hat’s Derek Dorsett now graduated, there appears to be no challengers for Beach’s title.

4) Everett reaches 1,000,000 fans. There was a healthy amount of skepticism around the league whether an expansion team in Everett — a community with no hockey history or infrastructure and another WHL team just 30 miles away — would last. This was an indication of just how healthy the franchise has become.

3) Peter Mueller becomes Everett’s first true NHLer: Michael Wall may have been the first former Tip to appear in an NHL game, but Mueller became the first to be a regular. At the age of 19 he’s showing he belongs, turning in a solid rookie season for the Phoenix Coyotes, and it serves as a rite of passage for Everett. After all, the CHL is there to develop players for the NHL, and this confirms Everett’s role in the league.

2) Tips upset by Prince George in the second round of the playoffs: Last season may have been Everett’s best chance for a Memorial Cup, and the Tips were unable to take it. Everett compiled the league’s best record during the regular season, was ranked No. 1 in the CHL and had a three-goal lead in the third period of the pivotal Game 5 against the Cougars. It all fell apart from there, and it may be a while before the Tips have a better opportunity.

1) Head coach Kevin Constantine departs: For the first four years of the franchise’s history, Constantine was the face of the team. And the former NHL coach guided the team to success beyond all expectations, with three U.S. Division titles and a memorable ride through the expansion season. He moved onto the pro ranks with the AHL’s Houston Aeros and was replaced by John Becanic, and the team is still adjusting to the change.