Just got word that defenseman Eddie Friesen was released by the Tips because of disciplinary reasons. More this afternoon …
… Back from practice. Here’s what I learned regarding Friesen.
First of all, Friesen hasn’t technically been released as he wasn’t dropped from Everett’s protected list. But he has been suspended from the team for disciplinary reasons — coach John Becanic did not elaborate on those reasons — and sent home, and he’s been removed from the roster.
Since he wasn’t dropped from Everett’s list, at least not yet, there’s still a possibilty Friesen could be brought back at some point. However, Becanic didn’t make that sound likely.
The other two players who did not travel with the team to Tri-City on Saturday for disciplinary reasons, forwards Vitali Karamnov and Jordan Mistelbacher, have been reinstated.
The Tips are not bringing in anyone, such as the recently reassigned Jeff Regier, to take Friesen’s spot on the roster, meaning Everett will go with seven defensemen, at least for now.
I imagine this is a disappointing development for the Tips. Friesen was just a part-time player, but he’s young, he’s a good athlete (making up for his small stature), and his acquisition during the offseason essentially offset the loss of Tyler Hlookoff in the expansion draft. I know Everett’s personnel people were pretty happy about getting Friesen, a third-round bantam pick in 2005, for nothing. The Tips listed him after Swift Current released his rights, but perhaps this is an indication as to why the Broncos gave up on him so quickly.
Fortunately for Everett, captain Jonathan Harty is ready to return from his hip pointer. That means Everett will have its full complement of seven defensemen for its swing through the Central Division. The team departs tomorrow for the trip, which includes seven games in 10 days.
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