Manraj Hayer is done

Everett center Manraj Hayer had his injured finger re-examined today, and it wasn’t good news. Hayer not only had his finger broken by a Seth Jones shot during the second period of Everett’s 7-3 Game 3 loss to Portland on Wednesday night, further tests revealed the bone was fractured in multiple places. The finger therefore requires surgery, and Hayer’s season is over regardless of how far the Tips progress in the playoffs.

It’s been an unfortunate season for Everett from an injury standpoint, but for Hayer the misfortune stretches back even further. The 1993-born native of Vancouver, B.C., has the ability to be an impact player in this league, but his career keeps getting interrupted by injuries. He missed 54 games last season because of a broken leg suffered during training camp, and he missed another 11 games this season because of assorted ailments. He finished the season with 15 goals and 25 assists in 61 regular season games, along with one assist in three playoff games.

This is yet another major blow for the Tips. Everett was already without one of its top forwards, overager Ryan Harrison, because of a concussion — Harrison still isn’t skating in practice and remains highly doubtful for this weekend’s Games 4 and 5. With Hayer also out, Everett will be without two of its top six forwards. The Tips have little scoring depth to begin with, so not having those two is a huge loss. And now Everett has to figure out how to keep up with the league’s top team while being further depleted.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

There was one additional body on the ice at practice this afternoon, however. Fifteen-year-old prospect defenseman Daniel Woolfenden skated with the team. Woolfenden, a seventh-round pick in last year’s bantam draft, is notable for being the first-ever Snohomish County resident drafted by the Tips (he hails from Mill Creek). Woolfenden is attending school at Culver Academies in Indiana this year for hockey purposes, but he’s back home for spring break, giving him the opportunity to skate with the Tips. Woolfenden, a smallish puck-moving d-man, isn’t signed, and whether he chooses the WHL route is not yet decided. But it would be quite the landmark for the Tips to have their first true local product on their team.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Jackson baseball players cheer before starting their next exercise during practice on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson baseball’s bond of ‘brothers’ carries team to semis

The Timberwolves will play Friday for a spot in the Class 4A title game.

Jeff Page spent 47 years coaching track & field at Lake Stevens, including 32 as the program's head coach. The boys and girls teams totaled 33 Wesco titles, and the boys won the 2022 4A State Championship during his stint as head coach. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Page)
Turning the Page: Lake Stevens track coach set to retire

Jeff Page to close out 47-year coaching career with Vikings after state championships.

Owen Murray signs his WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Everett Silvertips, which selected him with the 31st overall pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft. (Photo Courtesy: The Everett Silvertips)
Silvertips reach terms with second-round draft choice

Owen Murray, the 31st overall pick, signs a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Everett's Colt Emerson (1) celebrates with Lazaro Montes after the infielder's sacrifice fly lifted the AquaSox to a win in the 10th inning at Funko Field on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Evan Morud / Everett AquaSox)
Colt Emerson Walks Off Spokane in 10

The Everett AquaSox overcome a 5-run deficit, win in extra innings.

The New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) drives against the Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the third quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in New York. (Al Bello / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Jalen Brunson gives Knicks new life against the Pacers

Jalen Brunson was being picked on defensively by the… Continue reading

Reid Nicol signs his WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Everett Silvertips alongside his family on May 28, 2025. (Photo Courtesy: Everett Silvertips)
Silvertips sign top draft pick Reid Nicol

Everett selected the 15-year-old center with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 Draft on May 7.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for May 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for May 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Prep state tournament results and schedule

Here’s a look at what’s happening this postseason.

Shorewood's Meiron Bereket dribbles past Bellevue's Masora Takashima during a 3A State boys soccer quarterfinal game on May 24, 2025 at Shoreline Stadium. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Shorewood boys soccer clinches first state semifinal in 11 years

The No. 1 Stormrays prevailed 7-6 in penalties over No. 8 Bellevue after a scoreless match.

Everett AquaSox first baseman Brandon Eike gets set defensively against the Spokane Indians at Funko Field on Wednesday May 28, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Evan Morud, Everett AquaSox)
Sox hitters go cold against Spokane

The Everett AquaSox fell to the Spokane Indians 10-2 in… Continue reading

The Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards (5) loses control of the ball in the fourth quarter of Game 5 against the Thunder, after the Wolves had already lost control of the game. (Jeff Wheeler / The Minnesota Star Tribune / Tribune News Services)
Thunder storm into NBA Finals

The polite reaction to what unfolded Wednesday night in… Continue reading

Milkar Perez of the Everett AquaSox prepare to catch a ball at Funko Field on May 26, 2025 (Photo courtesy of Evan Morud / Everett AquaSox)
AquaSox comeback bid falls short

Everett hits two solo homers in the ninth but loses 4-3 to Spokane.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.