Super Series, U-17s and more
Published 3:45 pm Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Bullet points today:
– The Subway Super Series takes place Wednesday and Thursday, with WHL all-star teams taking on a touring Russian team Wednesday in Kamloops and Thursday in Prince George. These games are part of Hockey Canada’s evaluation process for the World Junior Hockey Championships, so only Canadian players 19 years old or younger are eligible. Everett has two players taking part. Goaltender Kent Simpson is dressing for both games, but will probably play just one, and defenseman Ryan Murray is skating in Wednesday’s game. Neither Simpson nor Murray is considered a realistic candidate to make Canada’s team this year, but Simpson is 18 and Murray is 17, so they’ll have more opportunities.
– With Simpson gone all week, the Tips have a void in one goal during practices. They’re filling that void by having a couple local products practice with the team. Bryce Fink, who plays for the Seattle Totems, was manning one goal today. Sean Healy, who attended training camp this year and who I believe plays in the Seattle Junior system, will also be helping out.
– By the way, goalie Luke Siemens was showing off his new mask and pads during practice today. It was good to see Siemens no longer stuck with the generic black mask. See the new look at Friday’s home game against Kamloops.
– The Team West roster was announced for the U-17 World Hockey Championships, and Tips prospect Andy Desautels was part of it. Desautels, a 16-year-old goalie who’s playing for the Regina Pat Canadians of the SMAAAHL, is considered Everett’s netminder of the future, having already signed a WHL education contract and having nearly won the backup job during the preseason. Team West consists of players from Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Team Pacific, which is comprised of British Columbia and Alberta, has not yet been announced. Tips forward Jari Erricson and defenseman Nick Walters are both candidates to make that team.
– The NHL Central Scouting Bureau released its preliminary rankings for the 2011 NHL draft. No Everett players were among the 26 skaters and six goalies listed from the WHL, and that’s not really a surprise. Some draft-eligible Tips are going to have to raise their games for Everett to avoid not having a player drafted for the first time since 2005. The big surprise about this list, to me anyway, was seeing Kelowna forward Shane McColgan ranked so low.
– On the injury front, centers Landon Ferraro and Parker Stanfield continue to be held out of practice. Ferraro’s upper-body injury has been revealed to be a concussion. Both Ferraro and Stanfield are progressing through the concussion protocol and may be ready by the weekend. Also out today was winger Scott MacDonald, who suffered a minor shoulder injury late in Sunday’s game at Kamloops. MacDonald is considered day to day.
