EVERETT – When Shaun Heshka, Mark Kress and Torrie Wheat arrived in Everett three years ago, they had no idea what they were getting themselves into.
“When I was told I was going to an expansion team, everyone said, ‘It’ll be tough, it’ll be frustrating, but you’ll get a chance to play,’ ” Wheat recalled. “Then it turned out incredible.”
All three of Everett’s overagers this season were there when the franchise was first formed. All three have played a crucial role in Everett’s ascendancy from expansion team to perennial contender. And all three have nothing but fond memories of their time as a Silvertip.
Heshka wasn’t even supposed to be capable of playing at the WHL level. When Everett came calling in the summer of 2003 he’d already been rejected from multiple tryouts with WHL teams, and trying out with expansion Everett was a last resort.
But, oh, what the teams that passed up on Heshka must be thinking now.
“I was pretty fortunate,” Heshka said. “I had a tough time getting into the WHL, then Everett picked me up and taught me the ropes.”
Heshka took major leaps in each of his three seasons in Everett, progressing from being a healthy scratch to becoming the Tips’ top defenseman. He holds the franchise record for games played (204) and has appeared in 46 of Everett’s 47 playoff games. His 59 points this season were the second-most by any defenseman in the league, and he was named a first-team Western Conference all-star, the first Everett player to earn that honor.
“The coaches took me under their wing and got me into the system,” Heshka said. “They helped get me to a pro camp and possibly a pro contract. When I was 18 that was something I never thought I’d do. I was fortunate to be a part of this organization.”
Heshka got his first look from NHL teams before the beginning of the season, when he attended training camp with the Calgary Flames.
He’s hoping his 20-year-old season will have attracted more attention from the scouts and that he’ll be able to play professionally next season.
But regardles, he’ll always have plenty of good memories from his time in Everett.
“That first year against Kelowna in the playoffs, winning three overtime games in a row, no one had ever done that before,” Heshka said. “That’s a memory I’ll always be proud of.”
Mark Kress, center
Kress was always one of Everett’s most-unheralded players. Although he recorded just 35 points in three seasons, he did yeoman’s work as Everett’s top defensive forward and penalty killer.
“It flew by,” Kress said of his junior career. “I remember when I was 17 (playing for Prince Albert) and the older guys told me, ‘It’s going to fly by, the next thing you know it’s going to be done.’ Four years later and I’m in the exact same situation, telling the young guys you won’t believe how fast it’s going to fly by.”
Though Kress spent his Everett career as a grinder, he’ll also be remembered for being a player who stepped up in the clutch, as his 19 career playoff points indicate. He’s also been one of Everett’s best character guys, and character is a big reason why the Tips had success their first three seasons. So it’s no surprise that one of his favorite memories is of a team-bonding experience.
“When we sing our song, ‘Living on a Prayer’ (by Bon Jovi), that’s one memory I’ll always have,” Kress said. “That first year when we won the Western Conference, singing that song in the dressing room, it was so emotional and I was overwhelmed with joy.”
Kress nearly didn’t return for his 20-year-old season, as his original intentions were to apply to firefighter’s school. Now that his junior career is over he’s considering taking another crack at firefighter’s school. But whichever direction he chooses it appears his competitive hockey career is over.
“I’m so happy it ended in Everett,” Kress said. “It’s a special place and not many people get to come here and really know how great a place it is to play. The community, the fans, the players, the coaching staff, my billets, it’s one of a kind. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Torrie Wheat, right wing
Wheat, Everett’s captain, epitomized what it meant to be a Silvertip the past three years. A first-round bantam-draft pick who Swift Current gave up on, Wheat came to Everett and did everything asked of him. He made himself valuable as a checking-line player his first season, stepped up as a first-line center the following season when Riley Armstrong was unexpectedly lost to a pro contract, and he leaves as Everett’s leading career scorer with 126 points.
“These three years have been unbelievable,” Wheat said. “It’s pretty sad that it’s all over now, but it’s something I’ll be able to look back on forever. There’s tons and tons of great memories.”
Wheat has experienced his share of success with Everett. However, to him the little things were just as notable.
“Every day is like a fresh atmosphere,” Wheat said. “they bring in such good character guys. We don’t just have good skill guys, every guy who plays for this team is a good character guy, and it makes it a fun atmosphere at the rink. Every day you wake up and you’re excited to go to the rink. It’s such a fun lifestyle.”
Like Heshka, Wheat is hoping to play professionally next season. His offseason will be spent working out in an attempt to prepare himself for a tryout.
In the meantime, he’ll reminisce on the things that made playing in Everett special.
“I met some unreal friends here, friends I’ll have forever,” Wheat said. “They’ve become family and I’ll miss that a lot. I’ll also miss the atmosphere of the Everett Events Center, coming out before a game and going up to the line for the starting lineup. That energy of being in that rink and standing in the middle of the ice, that’s something special.”
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