Everett Silvertips prepared for unique season
Right where they left off
As we enter one of the strangest seasons the Western Hockey League will ever see, the teams want to prove that the free time hasn’t hurt.
Even so, the Everett Silvertips seem poised to enter the season with the same energy and dynamism that they ended the ’19-20 season with. As we near the start of the season, there’s a lot to expect as the excitement builds.
The Silvertips will spend their 24-game season trying to regain the division’s title from the Portland Winterhawks. Although they ended just one point behind the Winterhawks and ended with another win, the rivalry between the two powerhouse teams is one to watch as the teams are set to compete against each other six times.
After finishing last season with the most wins in the WHL, one point behind Portland, this team had something to prove. They ranked eighth in the league with 228 goals, but reached first place in the league, scoring just 142 goals in 63 games played.
Reece Newkirk and Gianni Fairbrother (Photo: everettsilvertips.com)
Division game
Of course, the Winterhawks won’t be Everett’s only competition as the Spokane Chiefs want to fight for the top spot alongside Portland and Everett after a top ten result among the CHL teams. They want it just as badly and have the talent to challenge anyone in the division.
The competition in the US division is rounded off by the Tri-City Americans and Seattle Thunderbirds, who both want to prove that they also deserve a place at the top.
With the five teams in the US Division playing against each other this season, fans can look forward to fantastic rivalries and incredible games over the next two months.
The captains
Gianni Fairbrother and Cole Fonstad will lead the Silvertips as co-captains this season. The couple will work to ensure that the team remains a threat to the top spot in the US this season.
While Fairbrother experienced the Ice Age with Laval, Fonstad did his own work. Before returning to the WHL, he was on loan to the SJHL’s Estevan Bruins for six games. In those six games he scored nine points (5G, 4A). The Saskatchewan native joined Everett a little over a year ago after trading with the Prince Albert Raiders, with whom he won the Ed Chynoweth Cup. The Raiders with Fonstad only entered the Memorial Cup two years ago.
The import situation
Everett won’t have any imports on his roster this season.
Both Kasper Puutio and Michal Gut will not be returning to Everett this season due to travel restrictions related to the coronavirus. Puutio is currently with Liigas Kärpät, while Gut is currently in the Czech league HC Banik Sokolov. However, both remain on Everett’s protected list at this point.
Other returning veterans
The Silvertips have a lot of talent this season. With 16 players returning from last year’s roster, the Silvertips will have many familiar faces on the ice.
Forward: Ethan Regnier, Jacob Wright, Brendan Lee, Jackson Berezowski, Jäger Campbell, Jalen Price, Gage Goncalves and Cole Fonstad
Defenders: Zachary Ashton, Ronan Seeley, Dylan Anderson, Gianni Fairbrotherm Aiden Sutter and Owen Zellweger
Goalkeepers: Dustin Wolf and Braden Holt
Season of the newbies
The Silvertips will have eight rookies on their roster this season in addition to their 16 returning players. With a shortened camp and no preparation games, the eight rookies on the squad are facing a quick introduction to the WHL.
Forward: Ben Hemmerling, Austin Roest, Ryan Hofer, Max Graham and Brendan Hunchak
Defenders: Brady Van Herk and Ty Gibson
Goalkeeper: Evan May
Persistent dominance in the network
It was great Calgary! See you soon? pic.twitter.com/gXtdbS6iwX
– Dustin Wolf (@ dwolf2332) March 2, 2021
The reigning WHL Top Goaltender and CHL Goaltender of the Year, Dustin Wolf, is returning for the fourth time and will certainly be his last year with the Silvertips. Wolf has spent the past few months in Calgary with the Stockton Heat and will be looking to claim the title for a third straight season. In his three games with the Heat, Wolf has a 2-1-0 record and savings of 0.895 percent.
Braden Holt is also returning to Everett for his second season. Holt, who saved 0.926 percent in eight games last season, is expected to be ready to play a small role in the shortened season. He must be ready to play when asked to.
Rookie goalkeeper Evan May will accompany both Wolf and Holt for the Silvertips this season.
With an unbelievable target depth, the Silvertips want to continue their always dominant performance in the fold.
Also back from the AHL
Wolf isn’t the only Silvertips player to have seen time in the AHL this season.
Gage Goncalves is returning from his time at Syracuse Crunch, where he recorded his first professional point in his only professional game.
A centering feed from @GageGoncalves sets a goal from @OSomppi and his first pro point! pic.twitter.com/SJj6oBabAt
– Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) February 28, 2021
Meanwhile, co-captain Gianni Fairbrother is returning from his time at Laval Rocket, where he also recorded his first assist in his first of three games. He is returning to Everett after recently signing his entry-level deal with the Montréal Canadiens.
First presence among professionals = first point. Not a bad start for Fairbrother!
1st occupational class = first point. Not a bad start for Fairbrother #GoRocket pic.twitter.com/6n2VVg99Sw
– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) February 20, 2021
Other changes
The Silvertips will be housed at Everett Community College for the duration of the season. Players will be housed in a dedicated area of a student residence hall and no guests will be admitted without prior approval.
The Silvertips open the season on Saturday, March 20, at home against the Spokane Chiefs.