‘Exciting time’ as Silvertips start arriving for training camp

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, August 23, 2017

EVERETT — Chances are good your social media feeds have been inundated with “back to school” pictures.

It’s not much different around Xfinity Arena as the Everett Silvertips began arriving Wednesday in anticipation of 2017 training camp that officially begins Thursday morning.

“I kind of relate it to the first day of school,” Everett general manager Garry Davidson said. “You get a new year at school, as a teacher you have a new crop of kids in your class. As a student you’re in a new grade or maybe a new school. So yeah, it’s an exciting time. It’s always interesting, exciting and a real positive time for me as far as getting started.”

Ninety-seven players have registered for camp this season and they range from 15 to 20 years of age. All of Everett’s 2017 bantam picks are scheduled to be in camp and join the returning veterans. Also in camp are Everett’s two European imports: Belarusian forward Pavel Azhgirei and Slovakian forward Martin Fasko-Rudas.

Up-and-coming rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf is the only player listed on the injury report. Wolf is recovering from hip surgery and will be out until at least late October, Davidson said.

Forward and overage candidate Devon Skoleski was waived prior to camp and picked up by the Prince Albert Raiders, and 18-year-old forward Brian King has retired from hockey to accept a full ride to the University of Alabama where he will study mechanical engineering. Forwards Keith Anderson and Cal Babych are also gone, but that was expected. Both are 20-year-olds who joined the Tips partway through last season to provide depth.

“No surprises other than the thing with Brian, but that’s not a total surprise either because he’s a bright, brilliant young student,” Davidson said. “What was offered to him was an outstanding opportunity.”

That leaves just three overage candidates for three slots. It’s the same trio most expected in forwards Patrick Bajkov and Matt Fonteyne, and defenseman Kevin Davis.

Products of Davidson’s first bantam draft class in 2012, those three players led the veterans through an optional on-ice workout Wednesday morning at the Xfinity Arena Community Ice Rink.

“I’m looking forward to training camp and being with the young guys,” Davis said. “This is my sixth training camp. Time flies. That’s all I can really say.”

Davis attended the Minnesota Wild’s summer development camp and Bajkov did the same with the Vegas Golden Knights. Both are headed back to rookie development camp with those organizations in the coming weeks while goaltender Carter Hart will attend Philadelphia’s rookie camp.

“It’s exciting to see all the guys again and see the new guys coming in,” Bajkov said. “(There were) a lot of hugs today and meeting up with the guys who played last year.”

Finally, there’s a brand-new head coach as Dennis Williams takes over for Kevin Constantine whose contract was not renewed after last season. Williams is joined by long-time Tips assistant coach Mitch Love as the coaching staff transitions from three full-time members to two.

Camp officially opens when scrimmages begin at 11 a.m. Thursday with the day’s final scrimmage scheduled to begin at 3:15 p.m. Love and Williams are scheduled to throw out first pitches at Thursday’s Everett AquaSox game.

On Friday and Saturday camp begins at 8:15 a.m. Sunday features the annual Green vs. Grey Game beginning at 1:30 p.m. All sessions are open to the public.

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