EVERETT — It may have taken nearly 11 months, but the Everett Silvertips finally have their man.
The Tips received a long-awaited commitment from one of their top prospects Thursday when they announced the signing of center Manraj Hayer to a WHL education contract.
Hayer, a skilled center from Vancouver, B.C., is entering his 17-year-old season. He’s expected to step straight into Everett’s lineup.
“He’s signed up and it’s a very good signing,” Everett general manager Doug Soetaert said. “He’s a very good player. He’s a skilled player who skates well and has good hockey sense, so we’re happy to have him in the fold.”
Getting Hayer’s signature on the dotted line has been a long process for the Tips.
Hayer first arrived in Everett to little fanfare, having slipped through the cracks of the 2008 bantam draft. He was invited to attend Everett’s rookie training camp that August and he made an instant impression, being one of the best players in camp. His performance earned him a spot on Everett’s 50-player protected list.
Hayer showed up to Everett’s camp again last August, and this time against veterans he was even more impressive. He seemed certain to make the team as a 16-year-old rookie. But Hayer and his family decided he would be better off spending his 16-year-old season playing a level lower in junior A, and he didn’t sign with the Tips. Hayer’s small stature (5-foot-9, 160 pounds) played a large role in the decision.
Hayer skated last season for the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League. Hayer experienced a challenging season, being the youngest player on a veteran-laden team and dealing with injuries. In 38 games, he tallied five goals and 10 assists. He added four assists in four playoff games after returning from injuries.
Hayer had drawn interest from NCAA schools, and although conversations between the Tips and Hayer remained good, there was always the concern he would choose the college route. But ultimately he decided the WHL route was better for him.
“I’ve felt all along that Manny wanted to play in Everett, but when a player doesn’t sign a contract you get a little leery,” Soetaert said. “But every time we talked he always said he wanted to play in the WHL.
“His parents have been very calculated in moving him along his entire hockey career,” Soetaert continued. “They wanted to make sure he was ready for the next step and that he would come in and be a full-time player. They know he’s ready to play at this level now.”
Hayer had tremendous success at lower levels. As a bantam player he put up big points playing on a line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who was drafted first overall by Red Deer in 2008. Then as a 15-year-old he was an all-star in the British Columbia Major Midget League, tallying 54 points in 40 games.
Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
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