EVERETT – The Everett Silvertips finalized their roster for the start of the Western Hockey League season Monday, reassigning goaltender Brandon Heatherington.
Heatherington’s release means 16-year-old Leland Irving will be the backup goaltender behind Michael Wall. Irving, a native of Swan Hills, Alberta, who was Everett’s fifth-round pick in the 2003 Bantam Draft, played in one game for the Silvertips last season, stopping all nine shots he faced.
By choosing Irving over the 19-year-old Heatherington, the Silvertips decided to go with youth over experience. Everett thus begins the season with seven players born in 1988.
“Michael and Brandon are the same age, they’re both 85s, and you really can’t have two 19-year-old goaltenders in this league,” Everett general manager Doug Soetaert explained. “We feel right now that Leland will be a very capable backup for us and this will help him get developed. He’ll be our No. 2 and push Michael Wall for the No. 1 job, both this year and next year. We like Leland and we’ll give him an opportunity to develop here in Everett.”
Heatherington came to training camp with his share of both experience and baggage. He has two years experience in the WHL, playing well in a part-time role for Seattle two seasons ago. However, he struggled last season and both Seattle and Regina lost patience with him.
During the preseason, Heatherington and Irving seemed to be in a dead heat, with both performing well. Heatherington was particularly strong Friday in an exhibition contest against Seattle, the last time either saw time in a game.
Heatherington will begin the season elsewhere, most likely with a Junior A team, but will remain on Everett’s 50-player protected list.
“Heatherington did very well,” Soetaert said. “We were pleased with the way he played and he came in and was very committed. It’s unfortunate he’s the same age as Michael Wall. But things change. He has to play to stay sharp and if something happens down the road with injuries, we know he’s there.”
Heatherington’s release leaves Everett with 25 players on the roster: 14 forwards, nine defensemen and two goalies. The nine defensemen are one more than the Silvertips planned on starting the season with, but Soetaert said the team will work around that.
“We have three defensemen who are 88s (Taylor Ellington, Graham Potuer and Jonathon Harty) and we’re going to rotate them in and out and develop them for next year,” Soetaert explained. “We feel with five solid returning defensemen we’re capable of doing that. And we’re still evaluating (Derek) Lewis, he may very well end up at forward for us. He has some experience at forward, so that may be a possibility.”
The Silvertips open the season Saturday at Memorial Cup-champion Kelowna.
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