Winquist fills big hole — and lead role — for Silvertips

EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips were desperate.

Top-line center Landon Ferraro was out with a concussion. His natural replacement, Parker Stanfield, was also sidelined because of a concussion. With winger Scott MacDonald out, too, because of a shoulder injury, the Tips were quickly running out of offensive options.

With so many key forwards unavailable, the Tips needed someone to step out of the role-playing shadows and into the offensive spotlight.

Enter Josh Winquist.

Winquist was thrust into a lead role because of the injuries, and so far the understudy has performed like he was cast for the part.

“He got an opportunity, then he got to work,” Everett associate head coach Jay Varady said. “He got a shot because of injuries, and then he got in there and competed. He stayed at it and stayed focused.”

Said Winquist: “It’s felt really good. I’ve finally started getting some lucky bounces, and the boys are winning.”

Winquist, a 17-year-old from St. Albert, Alberta, was expected to take a step forward this season. He had three goals and four assists in 50 games as a rookie last season, with the former third-round bantam draft pick showing encouraging flashes of offensive flair.

However, offseason shoulder surgery caused Winquist to miss most of the preseason, setting his preparations back. Then he spent the first seven weeks of the season in the hinterlands of the fourth line, scoring just two goals in 18 games while playing almost exclusively on the left wing.

But when Ferraro and Stanfield, two of Everett’s top three centers, went down six days apart, the Tips suddenly found themselves thin at center. Winquist, who played occasionally at center last season, received the emergency call for first-line duty, centering Kellan Tochkin and Tyler Maxwell.

And Winquist’s became a revelation. Last weekend Winquist’s abilities manifested themselves as he tallied one goal and five assists as the Tips swept a three-game weekend. He, Tochkin and Maxwell combined for 20 points, and all three were a plus-7 during the weekend.

“I needed to step my game up because of the injuries,” Winquist said. “We needed guys to step up and play more minutes, and I think I have my confidence going. I’m not afraid to try things with the puck right now, and it seems to be working.”

Tochkin, in particular, benefited from Winquist’s presence. A point-a-game performer throughout his WHL career, Tochkin got off to a slow start with just 12 points in his first 18 games. But when paired with Winquist, Tochkin’s game took off. Tochkin has tallied seven goals and four assists in six games alongside Winquist, and he earned the league’s Player of the Week honors for his efforts last weekend.

“(Winquist) was given the opportunity and he made the most of it,” Tochkin said. “He’s the guy who got me Player of the Week. He has outstanding hockey sense, and playing with me and Maxie he can show that. It’s been a real treat having him step up and playing the way he is. He’s made me and Maxie better.”

Winquist has shown a knack for being in the right place at the right time, as well as an eye for a defense-opening pass, while playing with Tochkin and Maxwell, However, Varady believes Winquist’s effort level is the primary reason for his recent success.

“The thing he’s doing right now is working,” Varady said. “He’s been able to skate and get his footwork going, he’s been able to cycle well down low, he’s been able to carry the puck through the neutral zone. What he’s accomplished is because he’s put work into it.”

And while Winquist has had success, so have the Tips. Everett is 4-2 since Winquist joined Tochkin and Maxwell on a full-time basis. Before that the Tips had won just three of their previous 14 contests. Winquist’s effectiveness on Everett’s first line means Everett’s coaching staff has an interesting decision to make once Ferraro has recovered.

“We had a big hole, so (Winquist) has been a big part of our success,” Varady said. “He’s become a solid player for us.”

Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog