EVERETT – Riley Armstrong made a brief return to Everett on Thursday, an opportunity to pack his belongings and say his good-byes.
The former Everett Silvertips center is moving on to bigger and better things.
In the midst of his departure Armstrong, who signed a professional contract with the National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, took a moment to reflect on the opportunity to follow his dream.
“It was definitely surprising,” Armstrong said about receiving an NHL offer. “I never thought that would happen. I guess I impressed them. They offered and I took it. I really wanted to come back (to Everett), but the AHL is the next step to the NHL, so I took it.”
The 20-year-old Armstrong signed a three-year, two-way deal with the Sharks, which means he receives a different salary depending on whether he’s playing in the NHL or the minors. Armstrong said he’ll receive $40,000 in the first year and $45,000 in the second and third years if he’s in the minors, and $350,000 the first year, $375,000 the second year and $400,000 the third year if he’s in the NHL. Armstrong also received a $60,000 signing bonus.
Armstrong reports to the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League, the Sharks’ minor-league affiliate, on Sept. 26. He is returning home to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, until then.
Armstrong, who tied for the team lead in scoring with 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) last season, impressed the Sharks with his performances at their rookie camp, scoring twice in San Jose’s first exhibition game.
“The first period of the first game I was very nervous,” Armstrong said. “I didn’t know what to expect. But then the game got going and in the second period I got a goal right off the draw. That helped me find a groove and then everything got going for me.
“I learned a lot from (Everett coaches) Kevin (Constantine, John (Becanic) and Jay (Varady) about defensive hockey and that’s what they liked. The fact that I can play two-way hockey is what impressed them.”
Armstrong came to Everett as a player left exposed in the expansion draft. He leaves a year later as a professional. And he’s appreciative of his time in Everett.
“They have a great coaching staff, great people in the front office and great fans,” Armstrong said. “It was a fun time. I loved coming out to the rink and hanging out with the guys on the team. I made some great friends and I’ll always keep those relationships. They’re like family, and I’m going to miss it a lot.”
Another signing: Armstrong isn’t the only Silvertips player impressing the NHL teams.
Everett defenseman Ivan Baranka became the second Silvertip to sign an NHL contract, inking a deal with the New York Rangers on Thursday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Unlike Armstrong, however, the 19-year-old Baranka will play with Everett this season.
“It feels great,” Baranka said about signing the NHL contract. “It’s good for me. It’s going to raise my lifestyle.
“Because I’m still 19, (the Rangers) want for me to be good in this league, score some points and help the team win a Memorial Cup.”
Baranka, a native of Slovakia, was the Rangers’ second-round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft and attended the Rangers’ prospects camp during the summer. He had three goals and 12 assists for the Silvertips last season.
Horman update: Barry Horman is on the road to recovery.
The 20-year-old right wing has been back on the ice this week as he continues to recover from a finger injury that has hampered him the entire preseason.
“It’s coming along pretty good,” Horman said. “I’m able to start shooting and stickhandling now, which is great, so I can get out on the ice and start playing with the guys and feel a little bit more comfortable out there. Hopefully in another week or so I’ll be in game shape.”
Horman suffered damaged ligaments in his finger on the first day of training camp during a fight with defenseman Derek Lewis. He hasn’t played in any of Everett’s exhibition games and will not play in tonight’s game against Seattle, at Olympicview Ice Arena in Mountlake Terrace, or Saturday’s final exhibition game at Tri-City.
With the loss of Armstrong, Everett could really use Horman’s experience for the start of the season, which begins Sept. 25 at Kelowna. Horman was third on the team in scoring last season with 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists).
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