Silvertips take next step

Published 12:01 am Thursday, May 5, 2011

The Everett Silvertips have already announced they are entering a rebuilding phase. Today the Tips take the next step in that process.

The Western Hockey League bantam draft takes place today in Calgary, Alberta, giving Everett and the rest of the league’s 22 teams the opportunity to restock

their young talent.

This year players born in 1996 from western Canada and the western United States are eligible for the draft. These players won’t be able to play full-time in the WHL until the 2012-13 season.

Everett, coming off a disappointing season, selects seventh overall in the first round. That’s the earliest the Tips have picked since their first draft in 2003, when as an expansion team Everett picked third overall prior to ever playing a game.

Because these players aren’t eligible to play next season, Everett general manager Doug Soetaert doesn’t consider them central to the Tips’ rebuilding process. However, the Tips expect these players to supplement the roster just as Everett is re-emerging as a contender.

“I think the rebuilding phase will take place with our 94s and 95s (the year the players were born),” Soetaert said Wednesday from Calgary, where Everett’s brain trust gathered to prepare for the draft. “But every year it’s important to draft well.

“These boys won’t be ready to play for two years, but hopefully they come in at the right time when our 94s and 95s are the core of the team. Hopefully they’ll be able to slide in and contribute when they’re ready.”

This year’s draft class is devoid of the can’t-miss star prospects at the top. However, it is considered deep in solid prospects, meaning Everett could have one of its top choices available at seventh overall.

“At that position we should be able to select a pretty talented hockey player,” Soetaert said. “I think this year’s draft is deep in the top 10 or 12, so there will be a good selection of players. I’m not sure whether we’ll pick a forward or a defenseman at this time.”

It’s also possible Everett won’t end up picking at No. 7. Everett is short on picks in the early rounds having traded away its second-, third- and fifth-round picks. The Tips got a second-rounder back in the trade that sent winger Kellan Tochkin and defenseman Alex Theriau to Medicine Hat in exchange for center Ryan Harrison at midseason — that pick is 40th overall. However, Everett still is without a pick in the third and fifth rounds, and Soetaert expressed interest in changing that.

The Tips also have a history in that regard. Last year Everett found itself in a similar position, with no picks in the third, fourth or sixth rounds. Everett traded out of the first round, moving down six spots to pick up a fourth-rounder.

“We’re always looking for more picks,” Soetaert said. “If the right scenario presents itself, we’ll take a look at it. Right now there’s nothing attractive. I don’t have a problem moving back if it’s the right scenario, but the right people have to be left on the board.”

Last year Everett selected center Ryan Chynoweth with its top pick, which came early in the second round at 24th overall.

Award winners

Red Deer goaltender Darcy Kuemper was named the WHL Player of the Year on Wednesday at the league’s annual awards luncheon in Calgary.

The 20-year-old Kuemper, who was also named the Goaltender of the Year, led the league in wins (45), goals against average (1.86) and save percentage (.933) as the Rebels won the Central Division title.

In other awards, Saskatoon’s Stefan Elliott was named the Defenseman of the Year, Red Deer defenseman Matt Dumba was named the Rookie of the Year, and Spokane center Tyler Johnson was named the Most Sportsmanlike Player. Spokane’s Don Nachbaur was named the Coach of the Year and Saskatoon’s Lorne Molleken was named the Executive of the Year.

Check out Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.