Bad news on the goaltending front for the Silvertips today.
David Reekie, who was slated to hold down the fort until Leland Irving returned from camp with the NHL’s Calgary Flames, was diagnosed with mononucleosis today. Reekie, who hadn’t been with the team the last week because of illness, will be out a minumum of three weeks.
Well that figures. With all the questions surrounding Everett’s roster this preseason, the one position the Tips figured they didn’t have to worry about was goaltender. In Irving they may have the best goalie in the league, and if he somehow stuck with the Flames, the Tips had the equally-capable Reekie waiting in the wings. If Irving just received an extended preseason stay with the Flames, Reekie would have filled the temporary void here in Everett, at least until the Oct. 11 overager cutdown date. This news scuttles that plan.
Now don’t panic yet Tips fans. Everett GM Doug Soetaert feels there’s a strong possiblity Irving will be sent back in time for the season opener. But if he isn’t, then 18-year-old Shayne Barrie — he of the grand total of four minutes of WHL experience — would make his first WHL start on opening night. The Tips would also have to scramble to bring in a temporary backup, probably 15-year-old Kent Simpson.
The one consolation for Everett is that if Reekie needs substantial recovery time, he can be placed on the 60-day injured list and thus be exempted from the three-overager limit until he’s ready to return.
In other personnel news, center Vitali Karamnov was back in practice Tuesday after being returned by the Edmonton Oilers. He looked like he’ll be ready for the start of the season.
Also, forwards Jordan Mistelbacher (concussion) and Carter Smith (knee) continue to make progress on their injuries. Both are skating in practice now, but it remains to be seen whether either will be in the lineup Friday.
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