Silvertips waive Barnett

EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips got down to the three overager limit Thursday when winger JT Barnett was placed on waivers and claimed by the Kelowna Rockets.

Barnett, who played less than a season in Everett, was one of three overage forwards returning. His departure leaves wingers Ryan Harrison and Cody Fowlie and defenseman Landon Oslanski, who was picked up off waivers from Lethbridge in August, as Everett’s three 20-year-olds.

“We had the four guys and it didn’t seem to make a lot of sense to carry three forwards,” said Everett general manager Garry Davidson, who unsuccessfully attempted to trade Barnett. “We picked up Oslanski as a defenseman and liked what we saw, and somebody had to be the odd-man out. Fortunately, Kelowna had spots open, so it’s a good opportunity for him. Hopefully it works out for him.”

Everett acquired Barnett last November from Kamloops in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2013 bantam draft. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native and son of former Phoenix Coyotes general manager Mike Barnett was brought in specifically to replace the offense lost when Tyler Maxwell demanded a trade and was sent home. Barnett appeared in 20 games with the Tips, tallying four goals and eight assists, before suffering a knee injury that kept him out the remainder of the regular season. He returned for the playoffs, scoring one goal in four games, then appeared in three preseason games without registering a point.

Kelowna had openings for overagers as the Rockets had just one prior to Thursday. Kelowna also acquired winger Dylen McKinlay from Kootenay Thursday to round out its three overager spots.

Check out Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.