EVERETT — Riley Sutter was at lunch when he got the news.
Everett Silvertips teammate Luke Ormsby was on Twitter and relayed the announcement that Sutter had been selected for the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game that will take place Thursday, Jan. 25 in Guelph, Ontario.
The event pits the top 40 draft-eligible prospects from across the three CHL constituent leagues: the WHL, the Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
“It’s pretty interesting how they do it,” Sutter said Wednesday. “I think it’s awesome how they combine all three leagues to have a game and show what the players have.”
Sutter is the first Silvertips player selected since his roommate, Carter Hart, started at goaltender two years ago when the event was held at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum. Former Tips defenseman and captain Noah Juulsen skated in the 2015 game.
“I’ve talked to Carter a little bit about it, but I’m sure I’ll talk to him more now. It’s still a month or two away,” Sutter said. “I’ve talked to Noah Juulsen about it. It’s super-exciting. I’m very honored to be selected and I’m really excited.”
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Sutter is a Calgary native and in his third season with the Silvertips. He is ranked as a “B” prospect for June’s NHL draft, indicating his potential as a second- or third-round pick. Sutter has 10 goals and 11 assists in 33 games this season and 64 points in 131 career contests.
“It’s a great accolade for him and for our program to have a guy like Riley go and represent not only the Western Hockey League, but also the Everett Silvertips,” head coach Dennis Williams said. “It’s great for him to put him on a platform with the best draft eligible (players).”
Another award for Hart
Hart, Everett’s star goaltender, was named the CHL Goaltender of the Week Tuesday for the third consecutive week. He is also the four-time defending WHL Goaltender of the Week. The Tips are without Hart’s services until next month as he left Monday for Team Canada’s World Junior Championship training camp in St. Catharaines, Ontario. Sixteen-year-old goaltender Danton Belluk has been recalled from the Eastman (Manitoba) Selects to serve as Everett’s backup goalie during Hart’s absence. Belluk was at practice Wednesday.
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.
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