Thoughts on Everett’s all-star and awards snub

I’m not a homer. I make a deliberate attempt to be as objective as possible in my reporting on the Silvertips. But I’m going to go on a bit of a rant here.

The WHL released its all-conference teams and awards nominees today, and despite Everett winning the U.S. Division there is ZERO Silvertips presence. Zip. Nada. Not a single first- or second-team all-conference selection, not a single award nominee.

That’s ridiculous.

I don’t want to say anything negative about any of the selections or nominees, because I’m sure they’re all deserving. But the fact Everett was snubbed completely just makes no sense to me.

Let’s start with the all-star selections. I can somewhat understand Everett being left out. Everett didn’t really have a superstar. Nikita Scherbak, Everett’s leading scorer, didn’t score more points than any the six forwards selected (and wasn’t even named Everett’s MVP), and the four defensemen are all terrific players. But Kelowna’s Josh Morrissey played a grand total of 20 games in the Western Conference this season. Everett’s defense allowed the second-fewest goals in the league. You’d think that might warrant a little recognition for someone like Ben Betker or Noah Juulsen.

What about award nominees? I figured Kohl Bauml would warrant at least some consideration for Sportsmanlike Player of the Year. Kelowna’s Rourke Chartier had a very sportsmanlike season, accruing just 18 penalty minutes in 58 games. Well, Bauml also had just 18 penalty minutes, but he did that in 13 more games. Plus he’s the overage captain of the team that had the fewest penalty minutes in the conference.

But I can live with all that. However, if Everett truly didn’t have a player worthy of an all-star selection or an award nomination, doesn’t that say something about the coaching? In my opinion Kevin Constantine and his staff did a phenomenal job this season. A legitimate grade-A performance. This is an Everett team that, at least based on the opinions of NHL scouts and GMs, wasn’t very talented. Yet the Tips won the division, holding off a Portland team gushing in NHL draft picks, and we saw an across-the-board improvement in Everett players over the course of the season. If that combination doesn’t point toward great coaching, I don’t know what does.

But was Constantine nominated for Coach of the Year? Nope. He lost out to Kelowna’s Dan Lambert, a coach who inherited a championship-caliber team, added two first-round NHL draft picks during the season via trade, and finished with six fewer points than last season.

Ultimately none of this really means anything. But I thought someone needed to point out that even though it wasn’t recognized by the league at all, Everett had some people doing exceptional stuff this season, too.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Coach Derek Lopez (far right) and the Lake Stevens boys' wrestling team celebrates with their championship trophy at the WIAA 4A District 1 Tournament at Jackson High School on Feb. 8, 2025.
Lake Stevens boys capture district wrestling title

The Vikings had 17 state-qualifiers; second-place Arlington led with five weight class winners

Edmonds-Woodway wrestlers react to a pin during the match against Meadowdale on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys wrestling roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Edmonds-Woodway boys wins Wesco 3A South wrestling title.

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Tulalip Heritage boys advance to district title game.

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates during a stop of the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Leonard Williams restructures Seahawks deal

More moves may be coming as Seattle deals with salary cap.

Palmer Mutcheson chips onto the green during the Men’s Club Championship at Snohomish Golf Course. Mutcheson won the tournament and carded a nine-under-par 63 on Aug. 4, 2024, which set a new course record. (Photo courtesy Kiana Richards, Snohomish Golf Course)
Tee off in style: The top three golf courses in the Snohomish County

From scenic fairways to championship-level greens, these courses are a golfer’s dream!

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.