EVERETT — The lights go dim during pregame ceremonies for Everett Silvertips home games at the Everett Events Center. The laser-light show dazzles, the rock and roll music blares, and the spotlights shine on each of the Silvertip starters as they’re introduced.
But even just four games into the home schedule of Everett’s inaugural season, there’s already one name that elicits a roar from the crowd that eclipses all others: Jeff Harvey.
Everett’s No. 1 goalie is the first fan favorite among the Silvertip players, and based upon his home performances so far this season Harvey’s earned it.
"The fans here are unbelievable," Harvey said. "People may say it’s not a hockey town yet, but I think it’s a hockey town. The fans here are very knowledgeable and I’ve never had fans cheer like this before when I make a save."
Harvey was the catalyst for Everett’s first two wins in franchise history. The 20-year-old from St. Albert, Alberta, made 41 saves in a 2-1 victory over Seattle, then turned around and made 20 stops in the Silvertips’ 2-1 win against Regina. For his efforts, Harvey was named the first star in each of those games and was honorable mention for WHL Player of the Week.
And every time the athletic 6-foot-1, 185-pound Harvey — who first began playing goalie when he was 12 simply because he liked the equipment — does his best Gumby impersonation by stretching his legs to each pipe to make a save, the crowd goes wild.
"Harv’s a great goalie," said right wing Torrie Wheat, who played with Harvey at Swift Current the previous two seasons. "It helps a lot having him back there. You still don’t want to mess up so that they have a couple free shots at him, but if you do you know there’s a good chance he’ll make up for it."
Harvey came into the season as Everett’s most experienced and most accomplished player. In three WHL seasons with Kootenay and Swift Current, Harvey compiled a 54-36-6 record. In 43 games last season with the Broncos, he was 22-17-2 with a 2.99 goals against average and .890 save percentage. So far this season he’s 2-4 with a 3.30 goals against average and an .893 save percentage.
"I think he moves real well in the net, I think technically he’s very sound, he’s got a good temperament for the position, so there’s a lot of things he does well," Everett coach Kevin Constantine said.
For those reasons, Harvey was understandably surprised when he found out he was headed to an expansion team, having been traded to the Silvertips in exchange for Everett not selecting one of Swift Current’s other players in the expansion draft.
"I was kind of in disbelief, to be honest," said Harvey, who believes it was his performance during the playoffs last season — when he gave up 12 goals in three games, all losses — that led to the trade. "I was in Swift Current the weekend before and they told me I was going to be back and be the No. 1 goaltender. But hockey is a business and I ended up in Everett and when I got the call from Doug (Soetaert, Everett’s general manager), I was excited to be here. After that I felt real welcome in the organization and it’s just been great ever since."
Well, maybe it hasn’t all been perfect. Harvey struggled in is first three games, allowing 13 goals in losses at Kamloops, Portland and Tri-City. When Michael Wall was favored in goal for the home opener against Prince George, Harvey was visibly discouraged by the decision.
But instead of making any rash decisions in response to not getting the start, Harvey reacted like a 20-year-old veteran leader, using the situation as motivation to improve rather than a reason to sulk.
"You always want to be in there," Harvey said. "Those games you come to the rink and know you’re not playing, it’s not a good feeling.
"When I didn’t play in the home opener, I sat down with Doug and we had a talk and he really helped me out," Harvey added. "I had to have a new attitude out there that I wasn’t going to let anyone beat me. It’s my puck and I don’t care what they bring at me, I’m going to stop every shot. If one goes by me, then I just have to focus on the next one. It’s been an attitude adjustment, really, for myself. That’s been the difference between the first three games and the last two (against Seattle and Regina)."
Back in the lineup, Harvey’s been focused and has avoided surrendering soft goals. Constantine says the differences in Harvey’s play between now and the beginning of the season are subtle.
"There’s a fine line between the mistakes made by a goalie and the mistakes made by other players," Constantine said. "For another position, as long as someone covers for you on those mistakes, it just doesn’t show up anywhere. A goalie’s mistake always shows up because the red light goes on and a number goes on the scoreboard. So there isn’t really any specific stuff, he’s just gotten the job done the last couple of games."
Everett may not have the most potent offense — the Silvertips’ 11 goals in seven games is the lowest total in the WHL.
But the Silvertips know that as long as Harvey remains at the top of his game, they’ll always have a chance at the end.
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