WHL notebook: Ex-Tip Low skating with team before pro debut

Published 6:48 pm Tuesday, September 20, 2016

EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips have a professional hockey player skating with them this week.

That would be former Tips center Brayden Low, who is practicing with the team before heading to Rapid City, South Dakota, on Sunday where he’s set to begin his pro career with the Rapid City Rush, the ECHL affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes.

“The structure is the same, the coaching staff brings their intensity every day and demands the best out of their players,” said Low, who scored 15 goals with 16 assists as an overager when the Tips captured the U.S. Division title in 2014-15. “That’s the main reason I wanted to be back down here for a week to sharpen up on my details and prepare with these guys.”

Low spent last season at the University of Alberta where he scored one goal with three assists in 21 games before deciding college hockey wasn’t the route for him.

“It was a very different experience (at UA) for myself,” Low said. “Down here you’re used to the environment, the billets, the fans, and going to college you’re kind of all alone and out in the real world. For me it was a big adjustment.”

Tips assistant coach Mitch Love contacted former Tips general manager Doug Soetaert, who is now the general manager of the Tucson Roadrunners, Arizona’s American Hockey League affiliate.

“The next thing you know I have a contract,” Low said. “That’s kind of the way it worked and I’m pretty thankful these guys here at Everett will bend over backwards for you. It’s definitely a strong alumni program and I can’t thank them enough.”

Low will drive out with his father on Sunday and begin skating with team on Sept. 27. Camp officially opens Aug. 4.

“I’m looking forward to getting after it,” Low said. “Summer has been a little too long.”

Shaw TV to air Tips opener

Shaw TV and the WHL announced Tuesday that the Tips’ opener against the Vancouver Giants at Langley Events Centre will be televised live in Western Canada.

Unfortunately, Shaw does not broadcast in the United States, so Tips viewers will have to purchase the WHL Live plan or make a trip north of the border to watch the game.

Seattle settles goalie situation

A big question entering this season for the reigning U.S. Division champion Seattle Thunderbirds was who was going to be the goaltender.

T-Birds general manager Russ Farwell emphatically answered that question during the past week as he acquired overage net-minder Rylan Toth from Red Deer and sent presumed incumbent Logan Flodell to Saskatoon.

Then on Tuesday Farwell traded goalie Ryan Gilchrist to Lethbridge for a conditional pick. That means 16-year-old Carl Stankowski will back up Toth after an impressive preseason.

Seattle is also waiting to find out if star center Mathew Barzal will return for his 19-year-old season. Barzal is currently in camp with the New York Islanders and did not participate in preseason activities with the T-Birds.

A look around the U.S. Division

The Spokane Chiefs placed 20-year-old winger Jacob Cardiff on waivers Monday. Cardiff had nine goals and seven assists in 59 games last year. The Chiefs still have four 20-year-olds they must pare to three by the Oct. 15 deadline. Those players are goalie Jayden Sittler and forwards Keanu Yamamoto, Dominic Zwerger and Markson Bechtold.

Could the return of Mark Johnston really be the perfect tonic for a Portland Winterhawks team that was swept out of the playoffs by Everett in the first round last spring? Who knows, but the Winterhawks did fashion a 5-0-0-1 record in the preseason with their only defeat coming in a shootout to Everett.

For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse.