Curtis Kulchar headed to college

Published 10:12 am Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Defenseman Curtis Kulchar has decided to begin his schooling rather than return to Everett as an overager.

Kulchar, who was acquired midway through last season, had one goal and five assists in 32 games with the Tips. Everett general manager Doug Soetaert said he wanted Kulchar back for next season. However Kulchar, who was traded four times during his four-year WHL career, decided he wanted to be closer to his family in Saskatchewan. Soetaert did not know what college Kulchar planned on attending, and the Tips have left the door open for Kulchar to return should he change his mind.

Kulchar was a positive influence in the locker room upon his arrival, and he raised his performance during the playoffs, filling in admirably on the first pairing after Radko Gudas was injured. Everett still has plenty of defensive depth returning from last season, but Kulchar would have been a nice steadying presence.

Kulchar becomes the second potential overager no longer in Everett’s mix. Earlier in the offseason left wing Dan Iwanski was released. That leaves the Tips with four candidates for three spots: center Clayton Cumiskey, defensemen Gudas and Chris de la Lande, and goaltender Thomas Heemskerk. However, both Gudas and Heemskerk have signed professional contracts. Gudas is nearly a lock to play pro, and Soetaert described Heemskerk as a 50-50 chance. So it appears the overage situation has sorted itself out, with Cumiskey and de la Lande penciled in and the third spot held for Heemskerk for the time being. Everett’s plan is still to go with Kent Simpson as the No. 1 goalie whether Heemskerk returns or not, so you could interpret the situation as if the Tips have an open overage spot. But Soetaert said he’d be comfortable with forging ahead with just two overagers if that’s how things played out.