EVERETT — They played together at the bantam level. They may play together again in the future for the Everett Silvertips.
But playing against one another is something new for Ryan Murray and Tyler Giebel. Such is the situation at rookie training camp, where Everett’s top two picks from this year’s bantam draft are suiting up for different teams.
“He’s tough to handle,” Murray said of his teammate/opponent. “He’s got some moves up his sleeve.”
Murray, a defenseman taken with the ninth-overall pick, and Giebel, a center selected 27th overall, played together for the Balgonie Prairie Storm, which finished second in the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League’s bantam division. Murray compiled 11 goals and 31 assists in 25 games, Giebel racked up 29 goals and 27 assists in 25 games.
So who better to provide scouting reports on Everett’s first two picks than one another?
Giebel on Murray: “He’s a great player all-around. He doesn’t make too many mistakes. He’s such a smart player with the puck and he’s got the moves. You don’t want to catch him behind your back or he’ll do some big damage.
“He was a leader all the way up. He was always our captain and he’s a great guy, always led our teams to some big victories.”
Murray on Giebel: “He’s a great player. He’s crafty, shifty. He’s quick and has endless energy.
“He was mostly a goal scorer, and he got everyone going and was a good leader.”
Both are too young to make Everett’s roster this season, but are good bets to team up together for the Tips down the line.
Family affair: Trevor Gutierrez didn’t choose to become a goaltender. The 15-year-old rookie camp invitee had that decision made for him by his older brother, who just happens to be former Silvertip forward Moises Gutierrez.
“He always made me put on the gear and face some shots,” the younger Gutierrez said. “I had no choice at all, but I fell in love with it.”
Trevor Gutierrez, who plies his trade in his native Alaska, is hoping to follow in his brother’s footsteps. Moises Gutierrez performed well in his one season with the Tips in 2006-07, scoring 35 goals for the team that finished with the best record in the league.
Trevor Gutierrez was the best goaltender on day one of rookie camp, and he’s hoping he’s catching some eyes.
“I want to get to the Green and White game, hopefully, and get more noticed by (the coaches and scouts),” Trevor Gutierrez said. “Then maybe in a few years I can play on the team.”
Slap shots: Everett has hired two new scouts, including former player Jeremy Creuer. Creuer, who played in 20 games during the 2004-05 season before concussions cut his career short, will be responsible for southern Saskatchewan. Bil La Forge was hired to cover northern Alberta. … A pair of rookie camp invitees played in notable situations last season. Forward Matthew Garvey suited up for the midget AAA Winnipeg (Manitoba) Thrashers, who pulled off a perfect 40-0 record during the regular season, then came one game away from winning the Telus Cup as Canada’s midget champion. Forward Manraj Hayer played bantam for the Burnaby (B.C.) Winter Club, where he was a linemate of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the first overall pick in the bantam draft by Red Deer. … Everett’s veterans have been skating during the lunch break of rookie camp, and among those joining in has been NHLer Jeremy Reich. Reich, a forward with the Boston Bruins, is married to a woman from the Seattle area.
Read Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
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