NHL campers returning, Andy Desautels reassigned

Published 3:34 pm Tuesday, September 21, 2010

There are some comings and goings today in Tipland.

First the comings. Center Landon Ferraro is returning to Everett this afternoon after being reassigned by the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. Goaltender Kent Simpson is close behind as he’s scheduled to return from camp with the Chicago Blackhawks this evening. That leaves defenseman Rasmus Rissanen (Carolina) as the only Everett player still with his NHL team, and Tips general manager Doug Soetaert said Rissanen would likely be returned Wednesday.

If Rissanen returns as scheduled, the Tips will be at full strength for Friday’s season opener against Seattle.

Now for the goings. With Simpson on his way back, the Tips made a decision on their backup goalie, keeping 18-year-old Luke Siemens and reassigning 16-year-old Andy Desautels. Soetaert said the decision was made so that Desautels will get plenty of playing time and continue to develop, as Simpson will get the majority of the minutes in Everett.

Desautels, Everett’s fifth-round pick in the 2009 bantam draft, will play for the Regina Pat Canadians of the SMAAAHL.

With Desautels reassigned and defenseman Jeff Regier released Monday, the Tips are down to 25 players — 15 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders. That would be a reasonable number to begin the season with (if maybe a little high), but Soetaert did not commit to those 25 comprising the opening-night roster. Any other cut the team makes is going to be a very difficult one.