Here’s a few quick tidbits from today’s press conference.
– The first thing that stood out to me was when owner Bill Yuill stepped to the podium and spent a considerable amount of time talking about the fans. He described Everett’s fans as the best in the WHL, but also described them as demanding, then said that the best fans deserve the best product. It sounded to me like those who expressed dissatisfaction with last season had been heard.
– Craig Hartsburg is a tall and trim man. He looks like he can still play a little. He came across are a normal, down-to-earth guy, but I’m told he’s a very intense coach.
– The Tips were seeking a coach who demands maximum effort from his players, and Hartsburg is described as that kind of coach. He said his teams in Sault Ste. Marie weren’t necessarily the most talented, but that they were never outworked.
– General manager Doug Soetaert was particularly pleased that a former NHL all-star defenseman would be coaching a team with a lot of talented young d-men (Alex Theriau, Ryan Murray, Nicholas Walters, and hopefully Seth Jones). He expects Hartsburg to be very helpful in their development.
– Jay Varady and Mark LeRose will stay on as Hartsburg’s assistants. Varady retained his title as associate head coach.
– There were three players in attendance: center Zack Dailey, right wing Kellan Tochkin and goaltender Thomas Heemskerk. They all seemed excited about the hire.
– Both organization and coach need to do their homework when going through the hiring process. But it sounds like no one did more homework than Hartsburg’s wife, Peggy, who apparently had the entire regional geography down prior to the Hartsburgs’ visit two weeks ago.
– The Tips also announced their first games of the upcoming season. Everett opens on the road against Seattle on Friday, Sept. 25, then holds its home opener against Vancouver the following evening. Now that’s the way to start the season with a bang. The Tips will also be hosting their annual preseason tournament on Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4-6) again.
—- Corrected, 4:15 p.m.
Oops, I got the date wrong for Everett’s season opener. They actually open the previous week on Fri. Sept. 18 in Seattle. But the Tips home opener is still Saturday, Sept. 26 against Vancouver. Sorry about that.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
