The Everett Silvertips’ newest addition – 19-year-old left winger Brandon Ralph – was at practice Thursday as the team prepares for its final two preseason games this weekend at Xfinity Arena.
Ralph was acquired from the Edmonton Oil Kings on Tuesday for a fourth round bantam draft pick and drove to Everett in time for Thursday’s workout.
“It’s been a long couple days, but I was excited to get out on the ice with the guys today,” Ralph said. “I seem to be fitting in and it seems like we have a good group here.”
Ralph said he was impressed by the crowd when he played here with Edmonton last season.
“The fans were absolutely crazy and it was exciting to be a part of that even though I was on the other end,” he said. “(I heard) a lot of positive things from the guys and even from Edmonton’s end they were pretty happy that they were able to send me to Everett. It was a positive move.”
Ralph was acquired to provide the Tips with left wing depth. He is one of just three Everett left wingers and left a crowded left wing contingent in Edmonton. While not necessarily know for his point-producing prowess (13 goals, eight assists in 113 games for Edmonton the last two seasons), he provides physicality and strength in addition to depth.
“I’m going to try to give back as much energy as the crowd gives us every night,” said Ralph, a native of Fort McMurray, Alberta. “Be a boost to the boys and be physical out there and be supportive and stick up whenever I’m needed and hopefully take on a big role with this club.”
In other news:
– The Tips released 19-year-old center Cole Chorney Thursday. Chorney was acquired as a non-drafted listed player this offseason after playing in 64 games with Red Deer over two seasons.
– Russian defenseman Alexander Scherbakov remains on the shelf with a shoulder injury suffered at the Holiday Inn Classic. He’s been a practice with his left arm in a sling. No word on his return yet.
– I found this article interesting. It appeared in the Edmonton Journal and discusses the new metal detectors fans will have to enter before Oilers games.
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