The Everett Silvertips added to their forward depth Tuesday by acquiring Tyson Phare from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for a sixth-round bantam pick in 2023.
With injuries to import forwards Michal Gut and Martin Fasko-Rudas, as well as 18-year-old forward Conrad Mitchell, the Silvertips suited just 11 forwards the past two games — most Western Hockey League teams skate 12 forwards and six defensemen. Not only does Phare help Everett fill out the lineup, he adds a physical presence to Everett’s forward group.
“I was told he might be available about a week ago and I did my homework and I thought, ‘Boy this could be a nice addition,’ ” Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson said. “I like his age at 17, what he’s accomplished in the past as a bantam and I like his physical size. He’s a good-sized young man and we certainly needed to add more size as well up front.”
Phare, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 194 pounds, comes in with pedigree, but little production at the WHL level thus far in his young career.
Phare, a first-round pick (18th overall) in the 2017 bantam draft by Prince George, was traded to the Hurricanes in May for Fischer O’Brien on the day of the 2019 bantam draft. He was held without a point in two games for the Hurricanes this season.
The 17-year-old from Maple Ridge, British Columbia — just east of Vancouver — left the Cougars as a 16-year-old in 2018-2019, according to the Prince George Citizen, after playing just 16 games without recording a point. He returned to Delta Hockey Academy Prep, recording eight points (one goal, nine assist) in 10 games.
Phare — pronounced “Fair” — was drafted as a forward by Prince George, but transitioned to become a defenseman before switching back to forward when he was traded to Lethbridge.
Davidson said Phare was brought in to play right wing with the Silvertips.
The 2002-born forward played his bantam season in 2016-2017 for Yale Hockey Academy Bantam Prep with Silvertips defenseman Dylan Anderson.
Josh Horton covers the Silvertips for the Herald. Follow him on Twitter, @JoshHortonEDH.
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