WHL US Division: Everett Silvertips Season Preview

The Everett Silvertips begin their season with a big void to fill on offense. Nikita Scherbak is likely playing professionally for the Montreal Canadiens this season, while Kohl Bauml graduated, and Ivan Nikolishin was traded to the Red Deer Rebels. Will Everett have enough offensive production to repeat as US Division Champions?

Everett will lean upon Carson Stadnyk to continue his scoring production. Stadnyk, who is entering his fourth year with Everett, was second on the team in scoring only behind Nikita Scherbak. The Silverips will also rely upon third year forward Patrick Bajkov and overager Remi Laurencelle to contribute in scoring. Import pick Yan Khomenko has had an impressive preseason scoring five points in six games and figures to add on offense. Everett will also need defenseman Noah Juulsen to keep up his offensive production on the back end.

The Silvertips gave up the least amount of goals in the US Division and look to continue that trend. Led by Noah Juulsen, Everett appears solid on defense with four other key players returning. Ben Betker was the only key player on defense Everett lost but rookie Jantzen Leslie looks to fill in that void. Leslie was a call-up during the playoffs last season and played heavy minutes when there were injuries.

Everett currently has three goaltenders - Carter Hart, Mario Petit, and Austin Lotz. One has to figure that Everett will be moving into the season with Hart and Petit. Hart came out of nowhere last season to become the number one goaltender for the ‘Tips, leading the league in GAA with 2.29 in the process. Even though Lotz never played bad enough that warranted him to be benched lost his starting job to Hart, he was fifth in the league with a 2.73 GAA. If Everett were to keep Lotz this season, they would have to use one of their three overage slots. This seems highly unlikely.

Everett will start the season on September 25 at Prince George for two games, followed by at Portland for one game on before their home opener against Spokane on October 10.

Other Tips News:

• Everett finished the preseason 5-2 with Dawson Leedahl leading the way with 6 points (2G, 4A) and Mario Petit leading goaltenders with a 0.73 GAA.
• The Silvertips have trimmed their roster down to 27. 15 forwards nine defensemen and three goalies
• Defenseman Alexander Scherbakov had season ending shoulder surgery which he suffered during the September 6 preseason game against Portland.