First off, let me explain what I’m doing with this series of posts, both looking back at the season and looking ahead to next season. This is not about the details. Those were dealt with in the paper, and most of you know that stuff already anyway. This series is more about my thoughts and observations and insights, maybe some little things here and there. Feel free to add your own in the comments section.
So without further ado, let’s get started.
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I wondered a lot about this team this season.
What I wondered most was: Just who exactly are they?
There was never a point this season where I felt I really had a finger on the pulse of the team. Every time I thought I had an idea who these Tips were, immediately something happened to change that perception. Usually that something came in the form of a streak of some sort, either winning or losing — there were a lot of those.
As a result, I never thought this team ever forged an identity. Was it a goal-scoring team? Was it a defensive team? Was it a physically-punishing team? Was it a team that relied on superior goaltending? The answer to all those questions was yes at some point during the season, just not for long.
In my opinion this team didn’t achieve all it was capable of achieving. With a starting point of Zach Hamill, Leland Irving and Kyle Beach, two first-round NHL draft picks and a future first rounder, this team had a good amount of talent. Add in three other drafted players and the Tips had the base from which to accomplish more.
But how much more could the Tips have done? I’m not sure they could have done much better.
First off, I’m not convinced Everett’s talent was as exceptional as it was made out to be. Yes, there were some high draft picks on the roster, but if those drafts were redone today I’m not sure those players are taken as high. And beyond Beach there’s no guarantee anyone else on the roster will be drafted in the future.
Then there were the dramatic increases by Tri-City and Spokane. Suddenly two of the best teams in the entire CHL were perched in the same division as Everett, making things that much more difficult.
Ultimately, I don’t think the Tips had the best season they could have. But it was still pretty good. Nine games above .500 in perhaps the strongest division in the CHL, that’s not half bad. Expectations are so high here in Everett that this season is viewed by many as a disappointment. I imagine most franchises wish 39 wins constituted a disappointment.
Next: 2007-08 review: overagers
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