Silvertips update
For Brady Calla, the Canada-Russia Challenge provided a hope for the future.
The Everett right wing received an opportunity to impress the Hockey Canada coaches and scouts as a member of Team WHL, and he hopes his performance left an impression for future selections to the World Junior Championships.
“It was a good opportunity right from the start,” Calla said. “It was fun seeing all the great skill out there. It was nice because I got to learn a lot of stuff from them. Overall it was a lot of fun and it was an honor to represent the Everett Silvertips there.”
Calla played in the final game of the Canada-Russia Challenge last Thursday in Regina, Saskatchewan, which Team WHL won 3-1. Although he didn’t record a point, Calla played on a line with Medicine Hat’s Darren Helm and Prince Albert’s Dane Byers, and he was on the ice when Helm scored his goal.
Hockey Canada uses the Canada-Russia Challenge to help evaluate players for the World Junior Championships. Calla was not a candidate for this year’s World Juniors, but as one of two 17-year-olds to play for Team WHL he seems a solid candidate for 2007 and 2008.
“I thought it was good to go out there in front of the scouts,” Calla said. “Hopefully I can use this as a stepping stone for next year. That’s the goal to work towards next year and hopefully I’ll be there to help my country win a gold medal.”
Injury update: A new wave of injuries means tonight against Prince George the Silvertips will once again have to scramble to field a full lineup.
Center Zach Hamill remains sidelined with mononucleosis. Defenseman Jonathan Harty, who played in Saturday’s 3-2 victory at Portland after missing the previous seven games, tweaked his groin injury and won’t play tonight. Center Zach Dailey suffered a shoulder injury in Friday’s 3-1 loss to Portland and is out indefinitely. Center Jonathan Milhouse is out with lingering effects from a concussion. Add in the fact that the flu is currently circulating through the team, with defenseman Eric Doyle hit hardest and center Peter Mueller also affected, and Everett is once again scrounging for bodies.
On the plus side, defenseman Cody Thoring (back) and right wing Jesse Smyke (flu) have recovered from their ailments and should play tonight.
Scouting report: Prince George (14-12-0-3) is in freefall. The early leaders in the B.C. Division, the Cougars have sunk to the cellar after losing nine of their past 10. Most recently Prince George lost 6-2 at Kelowna on Saturday. Everett (16-13-1-0) won the only previous meeting between the two teams 5-2 at home on Oct. 1.
The Cougars have a trio of strong forwards in 19-year-old Eric Hunter (15 goals, 14 assists), 20-year-old Colin Patterson (eight goals, 17 assists) and 18-year-old Nick Drazenovic (10 goals, 14 assists). They also have a big defense led by 19-year-old Andy Rogers and 17-year-old Ty Wishart. In goal, 19-year-old Scott Bowles (12-7-0-1, 2.24 goals against average, .922 save percentage) has earned the No. 1 spot.
Around the WHL: Everett maintained its spot at No. 9 in this week’s Western Major Junior Hockey Writers Association poll. Kootenay claimed the top spot, earning nine of the 18 first-place votes. Calgary, which earned the other nine, was second, and Medicine Hat fell from first to third. … Vancouver goaltender Dustin Slade was named the WHL Player of the Week for Nov. 28-Dec. 4. Slade won both his games, giving up just one goal. … Saskatoon forward Devin Setoguchi was named the WHL Player of the Month for November, recording nine goals and 14 assists in 14 games. … Portland avoided the expansion draft by sending 16-year-old forward Colby Kulhaney and 15-year-old forward Randy McNaught to Chilliwack in exchange for a pass in June’s draft. … Thirteen WHL players were invited to Team Canada’s selection camp for the 2006 World Junior Championships. They included goaltenders Devan Dubnyk (Kamloops), Justin Pogge (Calgary) and Carey Price (Tri-City); defensemen Cam Barker (Medicine Hat), Michael Funk (Portland), Rogers, Kris Russell (Medicine Hat), Jeff Schultz (Calgary) and Logan Stephenson (Tri-City); and forwards Dustin Boyd (Moose Jaw), Kyle Chipchura (Prince Albert), Blake Comeau (Kelowna) and Setoguchi.
Nick Patterson, Herald writer
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