Everett Silvertips – WHL Network

As the 2020-21 regular WHL season draws to a close, we’ll see all of the clubs competing in an unprecedented division format with a 24-game schedule.

Chief Executive: Garry Davidson
Head coach: Dennis Williams
2019-20 record: 46-13-3-1, 96 points
2019-20 Divisional Finish: Second place
2019-20 top scorer: RW Bryce Kindopp (40-34-74); LW Cole Fonstad (15-59-74); C Gage Goncalves (33-38-71)

2020-21-20 year olds: RW Ethan Regnier (14-15-29); Fonstad; D Gianni Fairbrother (5-20-25)
2020-21 – season opener: Saturday March 20 – Spokane Chiefs at Everett Silvertips

Last game: Sunday, March 8, 2020 – Silvertips (3) at Thunderbirds (2)

Overview: The wolf returns to howl again.

Perhaps the most important act for the Everett Silvertips in 2020-21 is the state of the goalkeeping record book. Calgary Flames, 19-year-old Dustin Wolf returns to guard the fold again and sets off to read the record book.

The standout marker Wolf will have in his crosshairs is the shutouts franchise bar. Carter Hart, currently the NHL’s first goalkeeper for the Philadelphia Flyers, has recorded 26 shutouts during his WHL career. Wolf has 20 shutouts on the way to 2020-21. Sure, the 24-game schedule will make it a lot harder for Wolf to attack this franchise shutout brand, but it’s not for reason to believe that the Tustin, California product can do its best.

The ever stingy Silvertips will again rely on responsible gaming on the defensive, and that standard starts in the crease with the likes of the agile and athletic Wolf.

Key figures: While the tips may be known for their routinely tight defenses, there is no shortage of offensive weapons. While 20-year-old Cole Fonstad returns to co-captain the team, Tampa Bay Lightning expert Gage Goncalves should be the true turbo power for the Everett engine. Goncalves – a product of Mission, BC – scored 71 points in 2019-20, including 33 goals after scoring one goal and 15 points in 67 games in the 2018-19 season. The 20-year-old forward is a late bloomer with a high ceiling and will be looking to put his best foot forward after being selected in the second round of the 2020 NHL draft.

Another high profile NHL prospect is anchoring the blueline, with the recently signed Montreal Canadiens prospect Gianni Fairbrother serving as co-captain alongside Fonstad. The 6-foot-1, 209-pound Fairbrother is a two-way squad that showed an offensive touch in 2019-20, claiming 25 points (5G-20A) in just 37 regular season games.

Coming to Fairbrother is Ronan Seeley, born in 2002, who heard his name from the Carolina Hurricanes in the seventh round (208th total) of the 2020 NHL draft this fall. The 6-foot-1,192-pound product from Olds, Alta., Had a career year of 32 points (3G-29A) in 63 appearances in 2019-20 and will seek to build on that productivity in the abbreviated 24-24. Game season.

While Wolf wants to handle most of the workload in the blue color, he is supported by 17-year-old goalkeeper Braden Holt, 17, who is the heir to the California product at this point. Holt, a native of Bozeman, Mont., Was originally a 12th round (262nd total) of Silvertips in the 2018 WHL Draft. His arrival on the scene in 2019-20 was promising as the 6-foot-1,160 -Pound puck stopper with 1.82 GAA, 0.926 SV% and a shutout went 4-2-0-0 in just eight appearances.

Is it possible that Holt will follow in Hart and Wolf’s footsteps and make sure the goalkeeper factory in Everett continues to produce high quality netminders?

Treats: With the uniqueness of the 2020-21 WHL season in full swing, the Everett Silvertips, along with a number of clubs across the league, decided to place players in a controlled community environment. On March 3rd, the ‘Tips announced an agreement with Everett Community College to accept players in student dormitories. The Silvertips are the only residents of an entire section of the student housing building to ensure an isolated environment.

Let’s play hockey. #LetsGoTips pic.twitter.com/WBH37OQqpD

– Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) February 6, 2021