BLOG: Silvertips overagers offer reflection on careers in Everett

Matt Fonteyne had an interesting take on the Everett Silvertips’ early-season swoon that saw them floundering at 4-9-1 when the calendar reached late October.

He thought that difficult start helped them later on in the season.

“Getting off to that start would make a lot of teams fold, but I think that goes to show the kind of character we have in our room and the kind of guys we have – the no-quit attitude, that when things get tough you don’t roll over, you just keep going and keep chugging along,” the co-captain said following Tuesday’s exit meetings.

“It’s a little tough to say, but I think it probably benefited us getting out to that tough start because we know we can get back from being down, whether it’s down in a game, down in a series, down in a period.”

That manifested itself in Game 4 of their second-round series against Portland where the Tips led 1-0 after two periods. Portland tied it early in the third before a chaotic finish. The game went from 1-1 to 2-1 Portland, to 2-2 to 3-2 Everett in about two minutes of real time. Everett held on for the 3-2 victory and a 3-1 series lead, and the Tips closed out the Winterhawks in Game 5 the following night.

“It’s something you don’t want to go through, but we were resilient,” Tips overage defenseman Kevin Davis said, echoing his fellow co-captain. “It goes to show the character in that dressing room.”

Everett also drew upon that character in Game 6 of the Tri-City series. The Tips trailed 5-2 early in the third, but battled back to draw even and force overtime.

Davis won it with a slap shot from the point in the extra session to give the Tips their first conference title in 14 years. It was Davis’s second goal of the game.

“The emotion – I’ve never had it so high and so low in the same game,” Fonteyne said.

Fonteyne has an AHL deal signed with the San Jose Barracuda for next season. If he does not sign an NHL deal during or after the season he will head to college. Davis is still weighing some options. Patrick Bajkov signed a three-year entry-level deal with Florida and will likely play in the AHL next season.

All three overagers played regular minutes for five seasons and led the Tips to heights not seen since 2004.

“To go as far as we did in the playoffs is something us 20s will definitely remember and all the other guys as well,” Bajkov said. “I can’t be more proud to spend my last five years here.”

For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning championship point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen's Singles Final on day 14 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. (Julian Finney / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Sinner conquers Alcaraz for his first Wimbledon title

The vision of Jannik Sinner covered in sweat and… Continue reading

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

Cam Schlittler’s strong debut freezes Mariners

The Mariners fell to the Yankees, 9-6, on Wednesday night.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.