EVERETT — If it seems like just a few weeks ago that the Everett Silvertips were eliminated from the Western Hockey League playoffs, you’re not alone in that sentiment.
In reality it’s been 18 weeks, but the consensus as the organization opened training camp Thursday was that the offseason seemed short. Of course, some of that is due to the Silvertips reaching the second round of the playoffs last season where they were eliminated the eventual Western Conference champion Seattle Thunderbirds.
“It’s awesome to be back and see familiar faces and give everyone hugs and see all the staff, the coaches and all the guys you haven’t seen in four or five months,” said Everett goaltender Carter Hart. “It’s good to be back on the ice with those guys and be in the locker room hanging out with them. They’re brothers.”
Nearly 80 players aged 15 to 20 were divided into four teams as camp commenced Thursday before several dozen fans and parents at Xfinity Arena. Thursday featured team practice sessions in preparation for the Volunteer Cup scrimmages that begin Friday.
It’s all part of what general manager Garry Davidson calls “Phase One” of the preseason.
“I think there are two things you do (in Phase One),” Davidson said. “First of all, it’s a real introduction to your 12 newly drafted players and any free agent that’s never been here before. So you’re trying to enlighten them and educate them on what our program is all about. And then the second part is the evaluation process — the first part of our process in getting down to the final selection of our team.”
All dozen of Everett’s 2016 bantam draft picks are on hand. That includes first-rounder Ethan Browne, who signed to significant fanfare earlier this summer. Nine of the the Tips’ 13 picks from 2015 are also in camp and are eligible to make the team as 16-year-olds.
There are also a number or returning veterans including defenseman Noah Juulsen, who will look to take on a leadership role this season. The 19-year-old Montreal Canadiens first-rounder is likely in his last season with the Tips since he is eligible to play professionally next season.
“There are only so many of us who are still here from when I started,” Juulsen said. “For sure we’ve got a leadership role. There are a lot of younger guys around here so I think we need to do our jobs and be leaders.”
Juulsen spent the offseason recovering from a broken jaw he suffered in Everett’s playoff loss to Seattle. He lost 12 pounds while his jaw was wired shut for six weeks, but said he is back up to his listed playing weight of 185.
It was also a busy offseason for Hart, who was taken in the second round of the NHL draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. It included two trips to Buffalo, N.Y., for the combine and draft, a 10-day trip to Philadelphia after the draft, goaltending camp, and he joined Juulsen at training camp for Team Canada’s U-20 team that will compete in this year’s World Junior Championship.
“The summer went by fast, but overall it was a pretty fun summer,” Hart said. “I thought I progressed a lot throughout the summer. I had a lot of opportunities for improving my development on the ice and off the ice, and gaining some new experiences like going down to Philly and meeting the training staff, learning what it’s like to be a pro and really learning what it’s all about.”
The Tips also took two new European players in this year’s CHL import draft. Slovakian forward Mario Mucka is already in town and on the ice, while Eetu Tuulola is expected to arrive Saturday.
Friday and Saturday each feature four scrimmages beginning at 8 a.m. The four teams play a round-robin tournament that concludes with the Volunteer Cup Gold and Bronze games taking place Saturday afternoon.
Sunday features the Rookie Game at 8 a.m. and the Green vs. Grey Game at 3 p.m. All sessions are at Xfinity Arena and are open to the public.
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse.
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