The Silvertips have been hit hard this offseason by unexpected defections. Captain Jonathan Harty declined to return for his overage season, choosing to play for the University of New Brunswick instead. Europeans Vitaly Karamnov and Lukas Vartovnik chose to play in their home countries rather than return for their 19-year-old seasons.
But though the Tips may have been put into a bind by those decisions, the players seem to be taking a philosophical approach to the situation.
“Everybody’s got a different situation,” forward Kyle Beach said. “If they think that’s what’s best for their hockey careers, then that’s what they need to do. I was pretty close with all three of them, so for me it’s really sad to see them gone. I’ve talked to all three of them since I’ve been here in Everett and they feel that’s what’s best for them. We can’t worry about that. Once a Silvertip always a Silvertip, but they’re not here and we have to move forward.”
Said defenseman Graham Potuer: “Every guy who’s played here who’s moved on or decided not to come back is a big loss, because we have to fill that spot with a young guy who’s maybe not used to the speed and pace of the Western Hockey League. It’s tough losing those two Euros, especially us passing on the import draft. We’re just going to have to find some new guys to fill those spots.”
Happy campers: Beach is one of three Tips who are heading off to NHL training camps. Defenseman Taylor Ellington, a second-round pick by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2007 NHL draft, will be attending their camp. As an overager Ellington is eligible to play professionally in the minor leagues, so there’s a chance he’ll be signed and not return to the Tips.
Also, left wing Jordan Mistelbacher, who went unselected in this year’s draft, received an invitation to participate in the Minnesota Wild’s rookie camp.
First cuts: Everett made its first cuts Tuesday as 10 players were reassigned. That group included goaltenders Ryan Cadieux and Trevor Gutierrez; defensemen Mitch Boucher, Devin Dambrauskas and Brett Kolins; and forwards Campbell Elynuik, Tyler Giebel, Manraj Hayer, Jeremy Ward and Josh Winquist. None of the cuts were surprising as all 10 were holdovers from rookie camp.
The cuts leave 35 players in camp — two goaltenders, 14 defensemen and 19 forwards. They are, with their birth year: goaltenders Shayne Barrie (89), Kent Simpson (92); defensmen Taylor Ellington (88), Graham Potuer (88), Mike Alexander (89), Tyler Kieffer (89), Chris de la Lande (90), Brenden Stephen (90), Drew McDermott (91), Jeff Regier (91), Paul Sohor (91), Martin Turgeon (91), Kyle Janzen (92), Gabriel Minville (92), Michael Berry (93), Ryan Murray (93); forwards Jesse Burt (89) Zack Dailey (89), Shane Harper (89), Cameron Gibson (89), Kyle Beach (90), Matt Ius (90), Jordan Mistelbacher (90), Tyler Skauge (90), Paul Van de Velde (90), Cameron Abney (91), Byron Froese (91), Paul Grenier (91), Tyler Maxwell (91), Kellan Tochkin (91), Ryan White (91), Markus McCrea (92), D.Jay McGrath (92), Nathan Murray (92), Tyler Parker (92).
Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
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