Alumnus Fonteyne is keeping a close watch on the Silvertips

Quotes from this interview originally appeared in the Everett Herald’s Silvertips podcast, Tips Talk, which can be subscribed to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play or wherever else podcasts are found.

Everett will always be apart of Matt Fonteyne’s DNA.

The 21-year-old, who is playing his first professional season with the American Hockey League’s San Jose Barracuda, is reminded of that almost daily, especially while living with his two roommates in San Jose, Evan Weigner and Jayden Halbgewachs, two recent Western Hockey League alumni.

Halbgewachs led the league in scoring last year (129 points) and Weigner played in Portland for three seasons before being traded to Brandon for his 20-year-old season.

The three former WHL stalwarts keep an eye on their former squads from afar, Fonteyne said, crafting wagers along the way.

“We’ve had some little side bets going on this year for our former teams,” said the former Silvertips captain. “So far, the Tips are doing well for me.

“I always check in. I’m always checking the scores and trying to stay as up to date as I can. I talk to quite a few of those guys regularly, for example like Jake Christiansen, Riley Sutter. I talk to those guys like every day. What I don’t find out online, they fill me in on the details. It’s nice to not fully close that chapter of my life and relive it from day-to-day.”

After compiling 208 points in 340 games in five seasons with the Silvertips from 2012-2019 and leading the team to the WHL finals in his culminating season, the Wetaskiwin, Alberta, native has recorded six points in 25 games for the Barracuda, who lead the AHL’s Pacific Division with 51 points. He’s been in and out of the lineup, having been a healthy scratch 11 times this year, and has assumed more of a bottom-six role for San Jose.

Fonteyne is trying to approach it like he’s a 16-year-old rookie in the WHL again.

“Going in you kind of expect that your role will go down from where it was the previous season,” Fonteyne said. “It’s kind of a mental battle, along with a physical battle, where if you’re not in the lineup everyday you have to go to the rink ready to work and learn from some of the older guys and some of the veteran players to see what they’re doing to be successful.”

The decision to play in San Jose was a complicated one for Fonteyne, as he was split between starting his college career in USports, Canada’s collegiate athletics governing body, or signing the pro contact with the Barracuda.

“Everyone obviously wants to play in the NHL and get to that next level,” Fonteyne said, “but at some point in your career you have to weigh your options and see what the best option is moving forward.

“I kinda had my mind set on going to school, playing in (college) and taking advantage of the WHL scholarship program,” Fonteyne said. “As that was going on, my agent floated the idea that pro might be an option and from there he did his work and I was lucky enough to sign a contract with the Barracuda.”

He’ll be pressed with an even bigger decision after the completion of this season, as players can only wait one academic year after their final junior season before their WHL scholarship is voided.

Until then, Fonteyne said he’s trying to learn as much as he can in San Jose. And, of course, check in on the Silvertips along the way.

“Everett is such a big part of my life,” Fonteyne said. “I can’t thank the fans, my billets and the organization for what they’ve done for me. It will always hold a special place in my heart and I’m really looking forward to taking in the experiences as a fan and an alumnus.”

SILVERTIPS ALUMNI

Here’s the full list of Silvertips alumni playing/coaching in professional hockey. If you have a correction/addition, please reach out to jhorton@heraldnet.com.

NHL

G Carter Hart — Philadelphia Flyers — 2013-2018 (years in Everett)

The future for the Flyers in the crease apparently has been expidited, but Hart is excelling for the Flyers. Hart’s 229 saves are the most in the NHL since Jan. 5. He boasts a 2.59 goals against average and .927 save percentage since that date as well.

Full statline: 17 games played, 3.05 GAA, .901 save %.

D Radko Gudas — Philadelphia Flyers — 2009—2010

The gritty — no pun intended – defenseman is now blocking shots in front of Hart. He’s also well on pace to surpass his 16 points from last season.

Full statline: 46 games, two goals, 11 assists

D Ryan Murray — Columbus Blue Jackets — 2009-2012

The left-handed defenseman is enjoying a career offensive season, already tying his career-high of 21 assists through 47 games.

Full statline: 47 games, one goal, 21 assists.

D Mirco Mueller — New Jersey Devils — 2012-2014

The Swiss blueliners shot has settled into a third-pairing role with the Devis this season, and lately, he’s been in-and-out of the lineup.

Full statline: 31 games, zero goals, six assists

C/RW Jujhar Khaira — Edmonton Oilers — 2013-2014

Khaira has settled into a top-nine role with the Oilers and has taken a good deal of shifts with superstar center, Connor McDavid. There was also this ridiculous shorthanded goal he put together against Vancouver on Jan. 16.

JUJHAR KHAIRA WITH A TREMENDOUS SHORTHANDED GOAL!#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/pN3DOuyQc2
— Hockey Daily (@HockeyDaily365) January 17, 2019

Full statline: 45 games, three goals, 12 assists.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

AHL

C Byron Froese — Laval Rocket — 2008—2010

The 27-year-old is second on Laval in points at 28 as the team’s captain. And in case you missed it, he potted this mystifying goal earlier in the season in November.

"Defying the laws of physics and perhaps gravity, and he tucks it under the bar literally from below the goal line!"
We're not sure what kind of sorcery @RocketLaval captain Byron Froese used to score this goal, but…wow. pic.twitter.com/ioxME5iiad
— AHL (@TheAHL) November 12, 2018

Full statline: 41 games, 13 goals, 15 assists.

C Landon Ferraro — Iowa Wild — 2010-2011

The former Silvertips captain has been out recently with a lower-body injury.

Full statline: 12 games, two goals, three assists

RW/LW — Nikita Scherbak — Onterio Reign — 2014-2015

It’s been an up-and-down year for the 6-foot-2 winger, as he was orignally placed on waivers by the Canadiens this season, claimed by the Kings, where he had a goal in eight games before being placed on waivers again. This time, he cleared and was assigned to the AHL.

Full statline: Six games, one goal, zero assists

LW Dawson Leedahl — Hartford Wolf Pack — 2012-2016

The former Silvertips captain started the season with the ECHL’s Maine Mariners, but was called up to Hartford midseason where he’s been pointless in 22 games.

Full statline: 22 games, zero goals, zero assists

D Noah Juulsen — Laval Rocket — 2013-2017

Juulsen put together a stellar start to the season was derailed due to taking two pucks to the face in a game against Washington in Nov. He returned to the lineup, but eventually was sent down to Laval. Currently, he’s nursing an injury. The Habs’ first-round pick in 2015 is likely to rejoin the NHL club at some point, but not likley until he’s healthy and regains confidence in the AHL.

Full statline (In Montreal): 21 games, one goals, four assists

LW Matt Fonteyne — San Jose Barracuda — 2012-2018

Full statline: 25 games, three goals, three assists

D Kevin Davis — Colorado Eagles — 2012-2018

The undersized yet skilled defenseman started the season with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies, but he was called up to Colorado midseason. He owns a -5 rating in 15 games in the AHL this season.

Full statline (in Colorado): 15 games, one goal, six assists

RW/LW Patrick Bajkov — Springfield Thunderbirds — 2013-2018

The former Silvertips sharpshooter has been up-and-down from the AHL and ECHL this season, but was recently recalled by the Thunderbirds on Jan. 11.

Full statline (in Springfield): 17 games, three goals, two assists

C Garrett Pilon — Hershey Bears — 2017-2018

The trade deadline acquisition has played every game in his first professional season in Hershey and scored his third goal of the season on Monday.

Great forecheck by Beck Malenstyn, dishes to Garrett Pilon for the finish. Bears lead 4-1. #HBH #DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/nyF6xI4p1D
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) January 21, 2019

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

ECHL

RW Cody Fowlie — Jacksonville IceMen — 2010-2013

Fowlie is sixth on the IceMen in points with 17 in his year with the club.

Full statline: 40 games, eight goals, nine assists

LW/C Joshua Winquist — Utah Grizzlies (injured reserve)— 2009-2014

Winquist has yet to return since being placed on injured reserve after just five games. He was off to a torrid start with four goals and four assists in eight games.

Full statline: five games, four goals, four assists

G Austin Lotz — Lehigh Valley Phantoms — 2011-2015

Lotz isn’t listed on the Phantoms’ roster and his hockey playing status is unknown — it appears he may have been released by the Brampton Beast. but that might have something with the birth of his child in early Jan.

This is what itâs all about. So proud of my man @lotzy30 and his amazing wife Caitlyn welcoming in their baby boy Garner early this morning. Uncle Lowzy canât wait to meet ya! #family pic.twitter.com/2aoAVC6stj
— Brayden Low (@braydenlow) January 8, 2019

Full statline: Six games, 3.63 GAA, .872

C Brayden Low — Reading Royals — 2012-2015

Aside from breaking the news of Lotz’s new baby, he 24-year-0ld center has been fixture in the Royals lineup, who are jockeying for a playoff spot. He’s also third on the team with 29 penalty minutes.

Full statline: 31 games, five goals, six assists

D Brycen Martin — Maine Mariners — 2015-2016

His four goals is tied for the most amongst Maine defensemen.

Full statline: 31 games, four goals, eight assists

D Ondrej Vala — Idaho Steelheads — 2017-2018

Vala has split time between the AHL and ECHL this season, but he’s spent the most time with the Steelheads, where he boasts a +7 rating, third amongst Idaho defensemen. The Steelheads are currently second in the ECHL’s Western Conference with 55 points.

Full statline (in Idaho): 24 games, two goals, five assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

College/University

USports (CIS)

LW Ryan Chynoweth — Lethbridge — 2010-2013

Full statline: 16 games, six games, three assists

RW Zach McPhee — University of Regina — 2010-2013

Full statline: 21 games, four games, two assists

D Michael Zipp — Acadia University — 2012-2014

Full statline: 19 games, zero goals, two assists

LW Mitch Skapski — Ryerson University — 2012-2014

Full statline: 16 games, one goal, two assists

C Kohl Bauml — University of Saskatchewan — 2011-2015

The fourth-year forward Bauml has solidified himself as one of the Huskies’ top scorers with 24 points in 22 games, which is second on the team. Saskatchewan currently leads Canada West with 38 points, one point ahead of Alberta, which won the Davis Johnston University Cup last season. The University Cup is scheduled to be played in Lethbridge, Alberta this season.

C/RW Tyler Sandhu — University of British Columbia — 2012-2015

Full statline: 22 games, three goals, 11 assists

C/LW Nikolas Malencia — York University — 2014-2015

Full statline: Eight games, zero goals, zero assists.

RW/C Carson Stadnyk — University of Saskatchewan — 2011-2016

The 23-year-old forward leads the Huskies in both points (26) and goals (11). The Huskies certain have a significant Everett flavor to their roster.

Full statline: 22 games, 11 goals, 15 assists

D Cole MacDonald — St Francis Xavier University — 2012-2016

Full statline: 15 games, one goal, six assists.

D Lucas Skrumeda — University of Manitoba — 2014-2017

Full statline: 18 games, three goals, three assists

D Mackenzie Dwyer — University of Manitoba — 2015-2017

Full statline: 21 games, one game, four assists

RW Devon Skoleski — University of Manitoba — 2015-2017

Full statline: 19 games, four games, four assists

RW Keith Anderson — University of Regina — 2016-2017

Full statline: Nine games, zero games, one assist

RW Cal Babych — University of Calgary — 2016-2017

Full statline: Hasn’t played.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL)

D Austin Adam — Simon Fraser — 2011-2014

Full statline: 11 games, zero goals, five assists

F Spencer Gerth — Trinity Western — 2014-2017, 2017-2018

Gerth is having a nice season in his first collegiate season for the dominant Trinity Western Spartans, who lead the BCIHL with 27 points and boast a +31 goal differential.

Full statline: 16 games, three goals, seven assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC)

C Ty Mappin — Red Deer College — 2011-2013

Mappin is fourth on Red Deer with 17 points in his second year at the school.

Full statline: 18 games, three goals, 14 assists

LW Jake Mykitiuk — Northern Alberta Institute of Technology — 2014-2015

The short-lived Silvertip player leads NAIT with 23 points in 18 games a year after leading the ACAC with 42 points in 28 games last season as a first-year player.

Full statline: 18 games, eight goals, 15 assists

D Jantzen Leslie — Red Deer College — 2014-2016

Full statline: 16 games, two goals, three assists

LW Brandon Ralph — Northern Alberta Institute of Technology — 2015-2016

Full statline: 15 games, seven goals, 13 assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Overseas

Czech Extraliga (Czech top league)

D Ivan Baranka — HC Kometa Brno — 2003-2005

The 33-year-old defenseman requested his release from HC Vitrovice and signed a contract with his new club, HC Kometa Brno on Jan. 11.

Full statline: Four games, one goal, one assist.

C Peter Mueller — HC Kometa Brno — 2005-2007

The 30-year-old leads the Czech league in goals (19) and is second on his team in points (36).

Full statline: 35 games, 19 goals, 17 assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Swedish Hockey League (SHL, Sweden top league)

RW Shane Harper — Obero HK — 2005-2010

Full statline: 34 games, five goals, 11 assists

D Rasmus Rissanen — Obero HK — 2009-2011

Full statline: 30 games, zero goals, one assist.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (EBEL, Austria’s top league)

LW John Lammers — HC TWK Innsbruck — 2005-2006

Innsbruck’s assistant captain is third on the team in points (39) and second in assists (25).

Full statline: 40 games, 14 goals, 25 assists

G Leland Irving — HC Bolzano — 2003-2008

The 30-year-old netminder is having a great season as Bolzano’s No. 1 goaltender, with a 2.30 goals against average and a .924 save percentage in 34 games, both of which are second in the EBEL.

Full statline: 34 games, 2.30 GAA, .924 %

D Jonathan Harty — Fehervar AV19 — 2004-2008

Full statline: 39 games, four goals, 10 assists

C/RW Dario Winkler — EC Salzberg — 2015-2016

Full statline: 34 games, three goals, five assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL, Germany’s top league)

C/LW Chad Bassen — Nurnberg Ice Tigers — 2003-2004

Full statline: 38 games, six goals, 13 assists

D Dominik Bittner — Schwenninger Wild Wings — 2011-2012

Full statline: 39 games, two goals, 11 assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Elite Ice Hockey League (United Kingdom’s top league)

D Connor Cox — Dundee Stars — 2012-2013

Full statline: 37 games, one goal, 13 assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Slovakia Tipsport Liga (Slovakia’s top league)

C Chris Langkow — MAC Budapest — 2009-2010

Full statline: 45 games, 14 goals, 18 assists

C Ryan Harrison — DVTK Jegesmedvek — 2010-2013

Full statline: 47 games, five goals, 17 assists

D Matt Pufahl — HKM Zvolen — 2013-2014

The 25-year-old defenseman started the season with Kevin Davis in Utah (ECHL), before transitioning overseas.

Full statline: 21 games, one goal, zero assists

D Ben Betker — HC Detva — 2012-2015

Like Pufahl, Betker left the ECHL for Europe, although he played 15 games with Kalamazoo before bolting.

Full statline: 12 games, two goals, three assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

SM-Liiga (Finland’s top league)

D Shaun Heshka — Karpat — 2003-2006

The 33-year-old is second on his team among defensemen with five goals and 12 assists.

Full statline: 35 games, five goals, 12 assists

RW Eetu Tuulola — HPK — 2016-2017

The 20-year-old and Flamers unsigned prospect is having a nice year in his second full season in Finland, as he’s tied for third on his team with 25 points.

Full statline: 42 games, eight goals, 17 assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

GET-ligaen (Norway’s top league)

D Aaron Irving — Storhamar — 2016-2017

Irving is third on his team in points with 29 and is second amongst defensemen in GET-ligaen, behind Valerenga’s Stefan Espeland.

Full statline: 36 games, eight goals, 21 assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

National League (Switzerland’s top league)

LW Dominic Zwerger — HC Ambri Piotta — 2016-2017

The 22-year-old winger is fourth in the National League in points with 34 while wearing a letter for HC Ambri Piotta.

Full statline: 35 games, 15 goals, 19 assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Metal Ligaen (Denmark’s top league)

LW Jesse Mychan — Esbjerg Energy — 2011-2012

Myrchan started the season with HK Nitra of the Slovakian league, but was released and signed a contract with the Energy.

Full statline (in Denmark): 23 games, 10 goals, five assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Kontinental Hockey League (KHL, Russia’s first league)

C/LW Ivan Nikolishin — Zvedza Moshka — 2013-2015

The 22-year-old forward was called up to the KHL midway through his season after putting up 24 points in 33 games with Zvezda Moskva.

Full statline (in KHL): Nine games, one goal, two assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Deutsche Eishockey Liga 2 (DEL2, Germany’s second league)

LW/RW Kyle Beach — Tolzer Lowen — 2005-2009

The No. 11 overall pick in the 2008 NHL draft is second on his team in points (43) and is first in assists (29).

Full statline: 34 games, 14 goals, 29 assists

D Nick Walters – EC Kassel Huskis — 2010-2013

Full statline: 35 games, zero goals, seven assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

France2 (France’s second league)

LW Karel Hromas — Montpellier — 2004-2006

Full statline: 19 games, five goals, five assists

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Other WHL Teams

C Jaeger White — Kootenay — 2015-2016

Full statline: 47 games, 20 goals, 20 assists

C Brett Kemp — Medicine Hat — 2015-2017

Kemp was involved in an interesting one-for-one trade between Medicine Hat with Edmonton, which sent highly-touted youngster Josh Williams to the Oil Kings.

Full statline (for both teams): 45 games, 25 goals, 17 assists

C Ethan Browne — Prince George — 2016-2017

Full statline: 42 games, seven goals, 18 assists

LW Orrin Centazzo — Kamloops — 2016-2018

Full statline: 43 games, 11 goals, 24 assists

G Dorrin Luding — Saskatoon — 2016-2018

Full statline: 11 games, 2.90 GAA, .917 %

D Montana Onyebuchi — Kamloops — 2016-2018

Full statline: 44 games, four goals, 11 assists

D Riley Bruce — Tri-City — 2017-2018

Full statline: 16 games, zero goals, one assist

C Mark Liwiski — Kelowna — 2017-2018