Thomas Heemskerk receives NHL tryout

Published 10:33 am Monday, July 20, 2009

I receive a text message from Everett general manager Doug Soetaert informing me that Tips goaltender Thomas Heemskerk has accepted an amateur tryout with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. He will attend San Jose’s rookie camp in September.

This is great for Heemskerk, who hasn’t really had a full opportunity to display his talents in the WHL yet, despite entering his 19-year-old season. He wasn’t given a starting job until Everett acquired him midway through last season, and much of his time as Everett’s starter was during a period when the Tips were bruised, battered and beaten down, thus affecting his numbers. His stats during Everett’s playoff series against Tri-City are even less impressive, but they don’t do justice to his efforts against the overwhelming Americans. So it’s good to see someone still recognized his potential.