I’m back from vacation, and here’s a quick recap of what happened with the Tips while I was gone.

– Defenseman Ryan Murray not only was selected for Canada’s U-18 team for the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, he was named captain. His progress at the tournament, which is now underway, can be followed at the Hockey Canada website.

– Everett has a new goaltending coach as the Tips hired Jordan Sigalet. Sigalet, who played one game in the NHL, is currently a co-owner and instructor at the B.C.-based Pro Formance Goalie School.

Frankly, I’m not certain what Everett’s goaltending coach situation was prior to Sigalet’s hiring. Shane Clifford had been Everett’s goalie coach, but last season it was Corey Schwab, the goaltending development coach for the San Jose Sharks, who was around working with Everett’s netminders. Schwab, who lives in the area, attended practices because of the presence of Sharks signee Thomas Heemskerk, and Schwab spent much more hands-on time with Everett’s goalies than the Pittsburgh-based Clifford did in the past. Sigalet, being based in the Vancouver area, should also be able to attend practices frequently.

– The Tampa Bay Lightning signed Radko Gudas to a three-year entry-level contract. Tampa Bay selected the Tips defenseman in the third round of this year’s NHL draft.

The signing doesn’t really change Gudas’ status with the Tips. Signing a deal clears the way for the 20-year-old Gudas to play in the AHL this season, but the Tips were expecting that anyway, and signed players can still be sent back to juniors. Gudas remains a longshot to play in Everett this season.

Just 16 more days until players report for training camp.