You might think perspective would be tough to come by for former Everett Silvertips goaltender Austin Lotz, considering how his tenure as a Tip ended.
Yet the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Manitoban netminder displays a maturity beyond his 20 years.
“Lotzy,” as he’s affectionately known around these parts, cultivated a bond with the Everett community and Silvertips faithful during his four-plus year career with the Tips. Genial and articulate, he was the Community Relations Award winner in 2012-13.
The emergence of wunderkind goalie Carter Hart and an overage numbers game eventually led to Lotz’s departure this season when he was picked up by Medicine Hat in the overage draft. He eventually appeared in six games with the Tigers before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
“It’s easy to be bitter and it’s easy to feel sorry for yourself, but at the end of the day everything happens for a reason,” said Lotz, who returned to Xfinity Arena Friday as part of Fan Appreciation Night. “I had a lot of support from the boys last year when things weren’t going my way, and from family and friends. I never held any grudges. There’s no time for that. I’ve been so blessed to be a part of this organization for the period of time I was, and it’s impossible for me to be bitter.”
Hence his celebrated return Friday on a night that featured a number of former players appearing both in person (Barry Horman) and on the video screen (Torrie Wheat, Ryan Murray).
Lotz even was the “Guess the Silvertip” on the video board during the first period media timeout and was broadcaster Mike Benton’s first intermission radio interview.
Following the game and the team awards ceremony, Lotz spent time on the ice posing for pictures and sharing hugs and handshakes. Particularly poignant were the photos for which he posed with Carson Stadnyk, the only 2010 Everett draftee still with the organization.
It was clear he was genuinely happy to be back with his former teammates once again.
“It’s something that was really important to me to get back here and see the people that I love and made relationships with over the years,” he said, “whether it’s the boys, my billets who have become family, the coaches, and just to reconnect with the fans was really important to me. And so tonight has exceeded all expectations and brought back a lot of good memories.”
Lotz is engaged to Devon Skoleski’s sister Jayden. Lotz and the Skoleskis are from St. Adolphe, Manitoba, and Lotz has known Jayden his “entire life.” They haven’t set a date yet, he said, as he’s still looking options – be it collegiate or professional hockey.
As for how Devon Skoleski wound up an Everett Silvertip?
“I dunno man, it’s kind of funny how things work out,” Lotz said. “Me and (Jayden) just couldn’t be happier and we’re proud of Devon for this accomplishment, to make the team at 18 years old after coming in as a free agent. Now he’s here and he’s making quite an impact on the team. I’m proud of the kid and I know she is too.”
Friday’s result – a 4-2 Silvertips loss to the visiting Scotty Munro Trophy-winning Victoria Royals – was academic. Both teams know their playoff positioning, if not their opponents.
And so Friday’s game was less about the final score, and more about the homecoming of a true Silvertip legend.
“It’s incredible to see the support they’ve given you over the years and especially now not being on the team and them still cheering for you,” Lotz said. “It shows the class of the organization.”
Three Stars
1. Victoria F Tyler Soy: Soy had two goals and an assist, and was plus-three.
2. Victoria F Vladimir Bobylev: Bobylev had two assists and was plus-three.
3. Everett F Carson Stadnyk: The overager had a goal.
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