It’s no secret the Silvertips were left frustrated by being unable to add to their roster at last Saturday’s trade deadline. But while Everett was unable to upgrade its offense, the biggest consequence may be how the lack of additions affects the team’s depth. The Tips were left with a roster of just 22 players, and that includes winger Logan Aasman, who’s feared lost for a lengthy period because of an upper-body injury.
Therefore, the Tips are probably going to have to get creative with affiliated players the rest of the way. For those who don’t know, affiliated players are those on the 50-player protected list who are not on the roster, but who eligible to be called up if needed. When 15-year-old defenseman Jantzen Leslie appeared in five games during Everett’s eastern swing, it was as an affiliated player.
So who’s next? Well, that would be Cole Chorney. Chorney, an 18-year-old forward who’s a former member of the Red Deer Rebels, was added to Everett’s protected list recently and is expected to join the team for it’s two games at Prince George next Tuesday and Wednesday. Chorney, a native of Beaumont, Alberta, had six goals and five assists in 58 games with the Rebels last season, then had one assist in six games this season before being cut. The 6-foot, 176-pound Chorney has been playing for Merritt of the BCHL, where he has four goals and four assists in 16 contests.
It may be like this for the Tips the rest of the season. If Everett suffers any injuries, the Tips are going to have to find the most available affiliated player to come in and fill the gap if they don’t want to play short. Everett general manager Garry Davidson said at the trade deadline that he was building an extensive affiliated player list, so if the Tips ever find themselves short of bodies it could be a myriad of players getting the call.
I should also take this moment to mention that if you’re hankering to see the Tips at home, you’d better get to Xfinity Arena this weekend. Friday’s game against Spokane and Saturday’s against Seattle are Everett’s first home games of 2015. Then immediately after they head out for another long road trip and don’t play at home again until Jan. 30 against Vancouver. So if you’re feeling hockey withdrawal, this weekend is the only chance for some time to satiate the pangs.
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