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WHL Everett Silvertips

Jonny Lambos Shows "Big Heart" in Over-Age Season with Everett

April 13, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release


None of the three over-agers on the Silvertips' roster began their stint in junior hockey in Everett.

One by one, they were brought to the organization to finish their Western Hockey League careers in green.

There were two spots available for over-agers on the Everett Silvertips' roster as Dennis Williams took over the general manager role entering the summer of 2021.

The team recognized a need for right-handed defensemen and sought one out from the reigning East Division champion Brandon Wheat Kings- Jonny Lambos, the hard-hitting former third-round WHL Draft pick out of Winnipeg.

"We felt like we needed to add a piece to the back end," Williams explained. "Our scouting staff really raved about [Jonny] in that region. I can watch the games and see that he's a fierce competitor, a 200-foot player, but the reports of him being an A-plus person is what really made me want to go down that road and acquire him."

Lambos, originally drafted by the Victoria Royals but traded to Brandon shortly thereafter, had skated in 127 games for the Wheat Kings, accumulating 19 points and 117 penalty minutes. What stood out more than his point production, however, was his stout physical play. The 5-foot-10, 174-pound Lambos has proved to be a punishing presence on the back end, endearing himself to fans with crushing hits and a propensity to block shots.

The Silvertips pulled the trigger on a trade, sending a 2023 seventh-round pick in the WHL Draft to Brandon in exchange for Lambos.

"He's exactly what everyone told me," Williams smiled. "Even talking with Brandon, their general manager [Doug Gasper] said, 'Willy, you're gonna love him.' He's an unbelievable teammate. He's one of those guys you want to be around and see him do well."

Lambos has set a career-high in points with two goals and 17 assists through 59 games this season. Ironically, Lambos' fond memories of Everett extend back long before he was ever a Silvertip. He netted his first career WHL goal as a visiting player on Oct. 16, 2019- a game the Silvertips won 3-2.

"You don't play against Everett very often [when in the Eastern Conference]," Lambos told the Brandon Sun in February, "So you're not too familiar with the players... I didn't really know what to expect in the whole division, but I think once our group got together and our team got rolling, it was obviously awesome to see the success we've had."

Everett's fanbase showed perhaps their biggest outpouring of love for Lambos following an impactful hit just 12 seconds into play against the Seattle Thunderbirds on Jan. 30. Lambos bore the brunt of high contact behind his own net immediately following the opening face-off, getting knocked unconscious and needing to be stretchered off the ice.

Lambos eventually returned to Angel of the Winds Arena at the conclusion of the game, surprising his teammates in the tunnel on their way off the ice following an emotional 4-2 win.

"He's got a big heart," Williams noted in the days following the hit. "When you see a player with that type of character laying there...it's nerve-wracking. It's gut-wrenching. You didn't know how you could help. Seeing him after the game, it was awesome. The guys loved it."

Lambos was awarded the Silvertips' military hat in the locker room that night, a traditional team honor bestowed upon a deserving player after each game- akin to the Seattle Kraken's pirate hat.

"He's so passionate," added Williams. "He sticks up for his teammates, he plays the game right. He knows what his strengths are and he goes out and he shows them every night. We couldn't be more thankful for what he's done for us."

"Being part of the Everett Silvertips organization has been a great experience," Lambos said. "The fans, we have a great group of guys here, great coaches...it's just a first-class organization that I'm proud to have been a part of."

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 13, 2022


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