Carter Hart, center, defends the net during the Silvertips’ playoff series against the Seattle Thunderbirds last month.

Carter Hart, center, defends the net during the Silvertips’ playoff series against the Seattle Thunderbirds last month.

More reflections from Carter Hart on being named WHL Goalie of the Year

I had an extended conversation with Everett Silvertips goaltender Carter Hart after he was named the WHL Goaltender of the Year last week. None of this made it into the story, but I thought it was worth putting on the blog.

For starters, Hart’s trademark humility was on display. He always wants to credit his teammates for playing well in front of him, and having a solid defense in front of you can make a big difference. Just look at how Landon Bow blossomed after going from Swift Current to Seattle.

Hart also lauded the effort turned in by his competition for the award, Zach Sawchenko of Moose Jaw. Sawchenko and Hart are buddies, and the two will be training with each other this summer in the Edmonton area.

Hart went on to reiterate how the 2015-16 Silvertips team exceeded the expectations of everyone. Everyone that is, except themselves.

“It’s a testament to the program that we’ve got going down in Everett,” he said. “Two years in a row we’ve been pretty successful. It wasn’t the result that we wanted to end up with – losing the last two years in the second round. But when you look at what people thought about us at the beginning of the year not many people counted us to be in the running.

“When you look back and you see what we accomplished I’m very proud to be a part of that group,” he continued. “The reason we got so much done this year is because we had pretty much every guy buy in to our systems and just play Silvertip hockey and pay the price every night.”

I put him on the spot when I asked him about his favorite memories of the past season. He took a moment to think before recalling some of the sellout crowds that rocked Xfinity Arena from time to time.

“We had a couple showdowns in front of 8,000 people where we had a couple late goals to put us ahead and beat Seattle,” he said. “Those are always a lot of fun to be a part of. Playing front of so many awesome fans like those games we have against Portland or Seattle – rivalry nights – it’s awesome to have the support that we have, and we as players really thank the fans for coming out. It’s not as fun playing in front of an empty crowd.”

Hart said he took a few weeks off – “lots of golf and time at the lake” – before beginning his offseason training regimen. In June he’ll head to Buffalo, N.Y., for the NHL Draft, during which he’s expected to be taken in the second or third round. Hart also plans to spend some time training in Pennsylvania with Tips goalie coach Shane Clifford in July.

Then it will back to training camp in August as it all begins again.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Coach Derek Lopez (far right) and the Lake Stevens boys' wrestling team celebrates with their championship trophy at the WIAA 4A District 1 Tournament at Jackson High School on Feb. 8, 2025.
Lake Stevens boys capture district wrestling title

The Vikings had 17 state-qualifiers; second-place Arlington led with five weight class winners

Edmonds-Woodway wrestlers react to a pin during the match against Meadowdale on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys wrestling roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Edmonds-Woodway boys wins Wesco 3A South wrestling title.

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Tulalip Heritage boys advance to district title game.

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates during a stop of the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Leonard Williams restructures Seahawks deal

More moves may be coming as Seattle deals with salary cap.

Palmer Mutcheson chips onto the green during the Men’s Club Championship at Snohomish Golf Course. Mutcheson won the tournament and carded a nine-under-par 63 on Aug. 4, 2024, which set a new course record. (Photo courtesy Kiana Richards, Snohomish Golf Course)
Tee off in style: The top three golf courses in the Snohomish County

From scenic fairways to championship-level greens, these courses are a golfer’s dream!

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.