EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips rang in the new year with a new acquisition.
The Tips acquired center Ethan O’Rourke from the Prince George Cougars in exchange for center and former first-round bantam pick Ethan Browne Monday.
“We felt it was important to strengthen ourselves down the middle and add more depth there,” Everett general manager Garry Davidson said. “I’ve been watching (O’Rourke) for several months now and I thought he’d be a good acquisition.”
Everett’s center depth has been tested this season after Brian King opted to retire from hockey and and attend the University of Alabama, while rookies Browne and Mark Liwiski were each placed on the suspended list in November.
I would like to thank the @PGCougars organization for everything they have done for me and all the opportunities I have been given. I am thankful for all the outstanding people I have met in my time in Prince George. 1/2
— Ethan O'Rourke (@Ethan_ORourke20) January 1, 2018
That being said, I am very excited and look forward to joining @WHLsilvertips 2/2
— Ethan O'Rourke (@Ethan_ORourke20) January 1, 2018
O’Rourke is the son of Prince George assistant coach Steve O’Rourke. The elder O’Rourke played under Davidson for the Penticton Panthers of the BCHL for two seasons in the 1990s.
The younger O’Rourke is a 6-foot-5, 200-pound center and was a third-round pick by Prince George in the 2014 bantam draft. In 37 games this season, he had five goals and 14 points, and over the past two seasons, he had six goals and 16 points in 57 career regular season games.
His career numbers are below:
“It’s difficult to part with a quality person like Ethan O’Rourke,” Prince George general manager Todd Harkins said in a press release. “He’s a terrific young man, with plenty of potential and he’ll be a great fit in Everett.”
Browne, 16, of Sherwood Park, Alberta, was a highly heralded pick when the Tips selected him 14th overall in the 2016 bantam draft. However, he began his rookie season injured and struggled to crack the lineup as he appeared in just eight games for Everett this season. He requested to return home to Alberta in early November and the Silvertips granted that request while placing him on the suspended list. He has since tallied two goals and three assists in nine games with the AJHL’s Drayton Valley Thunder.
As a 16-year-old Browne had to waive his no-trade clause. His career numbers are below:
“Obviously when you make a deal you have to give up something, and it happened to be Ethan Browne in the mix here,” Davidson said. “Ethan Browne has a lot of potential and upside, but in saying that, things didn’t go well for him in our situation. We thought another opportunity might work out for him.
“We hope it’s going to work out for everybody and that the two teams are both satisfied.”
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.
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