Slowly but surely, the Everett Silvertips are transforming into Swift Current West.
The Silvertips once again picked at the carcass of the Broncos’ rebuilding roster, acquiring 18-year-old forward Max Patterson on Monday in exchange for a 2020 fourth-round draft pick and prospect Dawson Springer.
Patterson is the third former Swift Current player acquired by Everett via trade this season. The Silvertips added overage defenseman Sahvan Khaira before the season and 20-year-old and import defenseman Artyom Minulin on Oct. 31.
Patterson, 18, is Swift Current’s leading scorer this season with 19 points (eight goals and 11 assists), and compiled 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 72 games last season. He scored seven points (five goals, two assists) during last season’s playoffs. He recorded two penalty minutes in three Memorial Cup games.
Davidson said he was en route to Everett on Monday and is expected to join the team on Tuesday and be available for Wednesday’s home game against Spokane.
The Kamloops, British Columbia, native is the son of Ed Patterson, who played for Seattle, Swift Current and Kamloops during his Western Hockey League career and played 68 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins over three seasons in the NHL. The younger Patterson was drafted by Kootenay in the fourth round of the 2014 bantam draft and was traded to the Broncos before the season.
Patterson is listed at 6-foot-4 and can play center or on the wing. Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson said Patterson’s versatility is a major plus, but his ability to play up the middle is the biggest asset as Everett possesses just two true centers — Riley Sutter and Reece Vitelli — on its roster.
“We thought it was important to add a centerman,” Davidson said.
Patterson’s presence could allow the Silvertips’ leading scorer, Connor Dewar, to move back to his natural position on the left wing — he’s played a lionshare of his minutes at center this season.
“We’re obviously excited to get a centerman down the middle. It’s something we’ve been slight on all year” Williams said. “Obviously we’d like to play in the middle to start and move (Dewar) to where he’s more comfortable and stronger for us on the wing.”
Ideally, Williams said he’d like to pair center Riley Sutter and Dewar together on Everett’s top line and Patterson’s presence may allow that to happen.
“It’ll be nice to add some depth down the middle for us,” Dewar said, “but I’m comfortable playing where ever I’m needed for the team success.”
Davidson said Patterson has the potential to slide into Everett’s top-six forward group, but that’s not an immediate guarantee.
“I think he has potential, but it’s not a slam dunk,” Davidson said. “But I really like the piece. He played 20-some playoff games last year and he’s got a lot of experience. … I think we’re getting a really quality guy that’s continued to get better every year. I’m really pleased with being able to acquire him.”
Patterson adds to Everett’s already healthy 1999-born class, which includes forwards Dewar, Sutter, Bryce Kindopp, Akash Bains and Bronson Sharp and defensemen Jake Christiansen and Wyatte Wylie.
Davidson said he was thrilled not only to acquire someone that fits Everett’s roster needs, but to add someone with deep playoff experience in Swift Current last year.
He also lauded his character, and his former teammates said they’re excited to add him to the dressing room.
“He’s a good guy, big strong guy,” Minulin said. “He can shoot (the) puck very hard. Very big, strong player. High IQ player and can move the puck pretty well. I think he’ll play centerman and he’ll perfectly fit in our lineup. Such a great kid, too.”
“We’re getting a good solid player and a good guy with a solid work ethic,” Khaira said. “I’ve gotten along with him from day one. I expect much of the same from him here. … He’s going to be a great fit.”
Springer, 16, has posted 25 points (18 goals, seven assists) with the Prince Albert Mintos of the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League.
Tips trade Monroe native to Moose Jaw
The Silvertips roster just lost a little bit of local flavor.
Everett announced on Monday it traded Luke Ormsby, a Monroe native, to the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in 2022.
Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson said the decision was two-fold. Moose Jaw presents an opportunity for Ormsby to take on a bigger role and it opens up more ice time for Everett’s younger players.
“When you’re looking at the short and long term, you have to make some decisions concerning the overall look of our team,”Davidson said. “Luke was a team player and a solid part of our team, as well as a great citizen. But it’s a part of the league.”
Ormsby, 19, got off to a slow start this season with a nagging lower body injury, but picked it up of late, owning an active four-game point streak.
Davidson said there were a couple of teams interested in Ormsby. The Silvertips lose depth with Ormsby, but partly alleviate what will be a difficult decision next year in settling on three overage players. Forwards Connor Dewar, Riley Sutter, Akash Bains, Bronson Sharp, the newly acquired Patterson and defensemen Jake Christiansen and Wyatte Wylie will be 20-year-olds next season. Some of those players might secure NHL contracts and stick in the American Hockey League, some tough decisions will ultimately be made.
