EVERETT – When Everett Silvertips owner Bill Yuill introduced Doug Soetaert as the team’s new general manager for the second time, the fans attending Monday’s press conference held at the Everett Events Center burst into enthusiastic applause.
It was a fitting tribute for a man who is largely responsible for where the Silvertips currently find themselves.
Soetaert, Everett’s original general manger, was rehired as the team’s GM Monday, little more than a year after he stepped down to pursue other opportunities.
“It was difficult leaving. It was not very difficult coming back,” Soetaert said.
“I’m excited to be back as a part of this organization,” Soetaert added. “When you build something from scratch and have the success that we had, it’s always tough to leave. I’m excited to be back, I’m rejuvenated and I’m looking forward to working with our coaching staff and scouting staff.”
Yuill jumped at the opportunity to bring Soetaert back into the fold.
“I thought long and hard about it. It took me two, maybe three minutes,” Yuill deadpanned.
“I’m interested in making this franchise the best in the Western Hockey League,” Yuill added. “With the expansion teams coming, it’s going to be very competitive to maintain that standard. So I just thought we have to have the best people and resources available to us to get up there to No. 1, be the best and remain in that position.”
Said Everett coach Kevin Constantine, who took over some of Soetaert’s duties while he was gone: “Just having another body doing the things we need to do to stay competitive is great. We love the way it was when Doug was here and we’re happy we have a friend and another worker bee on the job.”
Details of Soetaert’s contract were not divulged. However, Soetaert emphasized that he’s “looking to make a long run.”
Soetaert helped build Everett into one of the top franchises in the WHL. He was originally hired as Everett’s general manager in August of 2002, more than a year before the Silvertips began play. He became the architect of the team that won the U.S. Division title and advanced to the WHL finals in its inaugural season. Thanks in large part to Soetaert’s contributions, Everett has reached at least the second round of the playoffs in each of its three seasons of existence.
Soetaert resigned following the 2004-05 season when an NHL opportunity opened up, becoming the assistant general manager of the Calgary Flames, as well as president and general manager of Calgary’s American Hockey League affiliate in Omaha, Neb.
However, his job with the Calgary organization became overwhelmingly business related rather than hockey related, prompting Soetaert to step down at the beginning of August.
It didn’t take long for Soetaert to land back in Everett.
“I resigned from my position with the Calgary Flames and at that point in time I began looking for a job,” Soetaert explained. “I contacted Bill to see what was going on in Everett, we started discussing and one thing led to the next. I still feel a part of this organization.”
The Silvertips never hired a replacement for Soetaert. Instead Constantine, director of business operations Zoran Rajcic and head scout Scott Scoville combined to take on Soetaert’s responsibilities. With Soetaert back, Constantine, Rajcic and Scoville will return to their previous responsibilities.
“I wasn’t out looking for general managers,” Yuill said. “We have a tremendous bank of talent running this organization. All Doug does in bring another dimension.
“Our people work at maximum right now,” Yuill added. “We need people out there working hard all the time, not just during the winter but right around the clock. By bringing in Doug, with his background and experience, it may lighten the load for them. We’re going to have to work a lot harder than we did in the past to achieve the same results. That’s what I’m interested in.”
Constantine was a little surprised when he first learned that Soetaert was returning, but he wasn’t expecting any major changes to his role.
“I really didn’t anticipate this happening, to be honest with you,” Constantine said. “I was just preparing for the season in the role I was in, and now with Doug back it changes a little, but not all that much.
“We even now will be able to share NHL experiences together, too, so the depth of our ability to relate probably grew,” Constantine, a former NHL coach himself, added with a wry smile.
Soetaert said he will continue to seek imput from Constantine, Rajcic and Scoville.
“Not much is going to change,” Soetaert said. “We worked together as a group when I was here and we’ll continue to work that way when it comes to decisions about the team.”
Soetaert’s return comes just in time for rookie training camp, which begins Thursday.
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