EVERETT — The long drawn-out David Reekie saga has finally come to an end.
Reekie’s tenure with the Everett Silvertips ended Thursday when the Tips reluctantly placed the overage goaltender on waivers.
“It’s unfortunate, but that’s the way it goes,” Everett general manager Doug Soetaert said.
Reekie came off the 60-day injured list Thursday, forcing Everett to shed one of its four overagers to get down to the league limit of three. With the Tips unable to pull off a trade for Reekie — and with forwards Dan Gendur and Brennan Sonne and defenseman Dane Crowley all filling key roles as overagers — Everett was forced to place Reekie on waivers.
Reekie will remain on waivers until 10 a.m. today, with any team in the league free to place a claim. If more than one team claims Reekie, he’ll go to the team with the worst record. If Reekie clears waivers, he’s free to join a different league.
“Nobody was knocking on the door for Mr. Reekie,” Soetaert said.
“When you look at it, everyone’s pretty much set in goal,” Soetaert added. “It’s about supply and demand and the demand isn’t there. That doesn’t mean he won’t be picked up. Nobody wanted to pay anything for him, but I’ll be surprised if he makes it through the league.”
Reekie was acquired early last season to serve as Leland Irving’s backup, a role he filled admirably. Filling in while Irving was away at the World Junior Hockey Championships, as well as performing regular backup work once Irving returned, Reekie ended up going 20-6 with a 1.77 goals against average and .925 save percentage for the Tips.
Overall between Everett and Regina, his goals against average was 1.97, good for third in the league. Reekie was also a popular personality in the locker room among teammates, coaches and management.
This season Reekie came to training camp as one of six players vying for Everett’s three overage slots. However, it was always unlikely Reekie would stick, with Irving still entrenched as the No. 1 goaltender and the Tips unlikely to use an overage spot on a backup netminder.
As the season approached Reekie appeared to be prime trade bait. However, he was diagnosed with mononucleosis a week before the season began, scuttling any possibilities of a trade at that time.
“I had a deal done, and that day was the day he came down with mono,” Soetaert said. “The other team decided to pull out of the deal because they didn’t want to wait that long.
“He was a huge contributor to our organization,” Soetaert added. “He played exceptionally well last year and handled himself very professionally. It’s unfortunate he came down with mono when he did.”
Reekie undoubtedly will draw some interest, but it is questionable whether another team will pull the trigger. Just about every team in the league appears set in goal, and like Everett it’s unlikely anyone will bring in an overager to be a backup. Also, for most teams picking up Reekie would require cutting a different overager.
If Reekie clears waivers it’s possible he’ll continue to play major junior hockey in either the Ontario Hockey League or Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. That happened with an Everett player in 2005 when utilityman Derek Lewis was released by the Tips, cleared waivers, then ended up playing for the OHL’s Toronto St. Michael’s Majors.
Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
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