EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips doubled their leadership group Thursday when they announced that 1999-born forward Riley Sutter will serve as alternate captain for the 2018-19 season.
Sutter joins linemate and fellow 1999-born forward Connor Dewar, who was named Tips captain last week. Both players are eligible for this year’s NHL draft later this month and both are entering their fourth season with the organization.
“I feel like I’ve grown not only as a player, but a person as well,” Sutter said during exit interviews last month following Everett’s 4-2 series loss to Swift Current in the WHL championship series. “My teammates have helped me along the way, and the coaches too… Hopefully I can continue to grow as a player and person.”
Sutter scored one goal with three assists in an injury-shortened rookie season in 2015-16. He jumped to 20 goals and 19 assists in his second season, and finished with 25 goals and 28 assists this year while centering Everett’s second line while flanked by Dewar and Garrett Pilon.
Sutter chipped in nine goals and 10 assists in 21 postseason games this spring.
His line also defended the opposition’s top scoring line during the postseason as the Tips won their second Western Conference title in franchise history.
“It would have been nice to get the two more wins, but like I said, there were a lot of people doubting us at the start of the year and the bad start we had,” Sutter said. “But we’ve come a long way from there and the team succeeded pretty well. Hopefully that will continue moving forward.”
Dewar was an alternate captain last season while Sutter is new to the formal leadership role.
“Riley Sutter is a terrific example of dedication, work ethic, and results that make him an ideal candidate to wear a letter for this next season,” Silvertips head coach Dennis Williams said in a press release. “His game took major strides this season and reached a new level for us in the WHL playoffs, opening the doors for the run we had. He’s completely bought in and the professionalism he demonstrates is a terrific example of what it means to be a Silvertip. He and Connor Dewar have traits to be extremely effective leaders for us this next season.”
Sutter participated in the NHL Scouting Combine last week in Buffalo, N.Y. and was ranked No. 80 among North American skaters on the final NHL Central Scouting list. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound forward also skated at the Top Prospects Game in January.
“I don’t want to think about (the draft) too much,” Sutter said. “Obviously the season is done and it’s probably the time you can think about it. I did everything I could do during the season to put myself where I’m at today so hopefully I’ll continue to have a good summer and hopefully hear my name get called.”
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.
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