Former Silvertips update: Noah Juulsen finding niche with Montreal

This might not surprise Silvertips fans, but Noah Juulsen has been a pleasant surprise for one of the most pleasantly surprising teams in the NHL.

The former Silvertips blueliner, who played in Everett from 2013-2017, has filled injured Shea Weber’s spot in a pairing with Montreal’s Mike Reilly and performed more than admirably, with the duo contributing a plus-8 goal differential in 121 minutes together. The Canadiens were regarded as a potential bottom feeder in the Eastern Conference, but are third in the Atlantic Division with 12 points in eight games.

After splitting between the Canadiens and their American Hockey League affiliate in Laval last season, the Surrey, British Columbia native appears to have carved out a permanent role in Montreal in 2018-2019. Juulsen chipped in 34 points in 49 points while wearing the captains’ “C” for the Silvertips in 2016-2017, his last in Everett.

Some other highlights:

NHL

— Radko Gudas was never known as a prolific point scorer in the NHL. But he’s off to a torrid start, at least for his standards, in 2018-2019, compiling five points in eight games for the Flyers.

— After his status at the beginning of the season was in question after taking a skate in a sensitive area, Ryan Murray has played in all eight of Columbus’ games this season, chipping in three assists while compiling a minus-4 rating.

— Mirco Mueller has been in the lineup for all six games for the Devils, posting three assists.

— Jujhar Khaira, the older brother of current Silvertips defenseman Sahvan Khaira, is pointless in six games played with the Oilers.

— Nikita Scherbak has yet to crack the Canadiens’ lineup, having been scratched in all eight of Montreal’s games this season. The 22-year-old is out of AHL options and would need to be placed on waivers to be sent to the minors, which reportedly the Canadiens are reluctant to do.

AHL

— Life after Everett hasn’t been entirely kind to Carter Hart (2013-2018) thus far.

Thought of as the Flyers’ future No. 1 goaltender, Hart has posted a 4.28 goals allowed average and a .865 save percentage in four games between the pipe for Philadelphia’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Lehigh Valley. It’s early, and Hart can turn it around pretty quickly with some stellar starts, but the early returns aren’t promising.

— Byron Froese (2008-2010) is off to a nice start in Laval, potting three goals and adding two assists while wearing the “C.”

— All the repetitions facing Hart at Silvertips practice appeared to have paid off Patrick Bajkov (2013-2018) , as the Springfield Thunderbirds forward sniped this one past Hart in their game against Lehigh Valley. It’s Bajkov’s only point through six games — four games played, two scratches, for the former Silvertips assistant captain.

Bajkov rips it to get the scoring started! #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/gGahblF9Cd

— Springfield T-Birds (@ThunderbirdsAHL) October 12, 2018

ECHL

— Joshua Winquist (2009-2014) is searing to start the season with the Utah Grizzlies, tallying seven points (four goals, three assists) in four games. … Kevin Davis (2012-2018) also is playing quite well, with five points (one goal, four assists) in four games for the Grizzlies.

USports (CIS)

— Kohl Bauml (2011-2015) has potted four goals and chipped in three assists in six games for the University of Saskatchewan, and his teammate, Carson Stadnyk (2011-2016), boasts three goals in four apples for the Huskies, who lead Canada West at 5-1-0.

Overseas

— Peter Mueller is fifth in Czech Extraliga (the top league in the Czech Republic) in points with 12 (seven goals, five assists).

View the full list of former Silvertips still playing and coaching hockey here.

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Josh Horton covers the Everett Silvertips and AquaSox, as well as high school sports, for The Everett Daily Herald. Follow him on Twitter(@joshhortonEDH) or reach out to him over email (jhorton@heraldnet.com)