Catching up

I’m back from my brief hiatus, at least until the next one at the end of the month. Anyway, here’s a roundup of Silvertips news that happened while I was away:

– Everett selected 17-year-old Russian forward Alexander Zhebelev in the import draft. Zhebelev is a swing-for-the-fences pick, a high-level player pick who may not report to the Tips (he was a second-round pick in the KHL draft). If he does show up, Everett will find itself in the awkward position of having three Euros for two roster spots for the second straight year.

– Five Everett players attended NHL development camps. That included drafted players Mirco Mueller (San Jose), Jujhar Khaira (Edmonton) and Ben Betker (Edmonton). The undrafted players who received invites were Austin Lotz (Vancouver) and Dawson Leedahl (Calgary). Khaira will play professionally next season, but the other four will likely be back in Everett next season.

– The NHL Central Scouting Service released its futures list for the 2015 NHL draft, and two Everett players were mentioned. Defenseman Noah Juulsen was one of 19 WHLers getting early looks, while defenseman Carter Cochrane, who played last season for Chilliwack of the BCHL, was the lone BCHLer on the list.

– Everett’s head scout, Bil La Forge, received a new title and a contract extension. La Forge, who became Everett’s head scout in 2011, was given a three-year extension through the 2016-17 season, and was also given the new title of director of player personnel.