It’s three days before Game 1 of Everett’s first-round playoff series against the Kelowna Rockets, and the Tips have yet to settle on a starting goaltender.
Thomas Heemskerk and Kent Simpson had near identical numbers during the regular season in comparable playing time. The 19-year-old Heemskerk finished 24-12-2-2 with a 2.34 goals against average and a .927 save percentage, the 17-year-old Simpson finished 22-9-1-0 with a 2.26 goals against average and .925 save percentage. They finished 2-3 in the league in goals against average and 1-2 in save percentage.
It appeared Heemskerk may have been gaining the edge, starting seven of Everett’s final 10 games. Heemskerk also has playoff experience, having backstopped the Tips against Tri-City in the first round last year. Everett coach Craig Hartsburg said that although he’s yet to decide who will start Friday, given how well both have played he’s not going to lose any sleep over the decision.
Manwhile, Kelowna coach Ryan Huska confirmed that forwards Kyle St. Denis and Cody Chikie will not be available. St. Denis missed most of the season because of concussion-related issues, while Chikie is out with a shoulder injury.
In non-playoff news, the Tips announced the signing of prospect Jordyn Boyd to a WHL education contract today. The 15-year-old forward from Winnipeg, Manitoba, was Everett’s sixth-round pick in last year’s bantam draft and is the younger brother of former WHL star Dustin Boyd. This season he had 27 goals and 35 assists in 36 games for the Winnipeg Hawks of the Winnipeg AAA Midget League.
Boyd is the fourth player from the 2009 bantam draft the Tips have announced signing, joining defenseman Nicholas Walters (first round), forward Jari Erricson (second round) and goaltender Andy Desautels (fifth round).
Finally, if you enjoy watching hockey players getting their hair buzzed, head to Sporty’s Beef and Brew for this evening’s Silvertips Radio Show, as forwards Scott MacDonald and Dan Iwanski are scheduled to get their hair cut live on the air. The show begins at 6:05 p.m.
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