Silvertip Send-Off: Hunter Campbell Finishes "Surreal" Run with Hometown Team
Published on April 18, 2022 under 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.
Everett native Hunter Campbell was raised around Silvertips hockey.
He skated with the Everett Jr. Silvertips U16 AAA squad in the NAPHL under the tutelage of former Seattle Thunderbird and NHLer Turner Stevenson prior to joining the WHL. From there, it was off to Calgary for two-and-a-half seasons, where he skated in 136 games with the Hitmen. Campbell played a depth role in Calgary, developing his physicality and playing primarily defensive minutes. He returned to Everett as an opponent on Nov. 20, 2018, a game in which the Silvertips blanked the Hitmen 4-0 with Campbell's family and friends packed into the arena outfitted in Hitmen gear.
By January 2020, Campbell was brought home, acquired in a trade for Conrad Mitchell and a 2020 6th-round pick in the WHL Draft. He became just the eighth Washington state native and the third player from Everett to suit up for the Silvertips in franchise history.
"When we traded for Hunter, I didn't know a lot about him," said Silvertips head coach Dennis Williams. "I dove in a little bit at the time and knew he was a big, strong, powerful skater."
Williams now also acts as general manager for Everett, a role at the time served by Garry Davidson. It didn't take long for Campbell to make his mark in a Silvertip uniform. He netted his first goal with his new team four games into his tenure while on home ice against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Two weeks later, his line was matched up with Portland's Seth Jarvis in a shutdown role as the Tips topped the Winterhawks 4-3.
"I grew up with a goal to play for the Silvertips since I was a kid," Campbell said at the time of the trade. "I never stopped thinking about it."
Campbell's dream of playing in front of a sea of familiar faces was hit with an immediate setback. He played five home games at Angel of the Winds Arena before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the 2019-20 campaign. The following season was played in front of an empty building. It wasn't until the start of the 2021-22 season that Campbell was truly able to enjoy a full year of his hometown crowd.
And he wanted to make sure he was ready to impress.
"I give a lot of credit to him," Williams praised. "He went out this year and worked on his hands, really worked on his stick-handling to improve his play-making. Once he worked out the stick skills, you could see his confidence level."
Campbell had already set a new career high for points by the 13th game of the season in 2021-22, and a career high for goals by the 21st game. He recorded his first career hat trick on Dec. 3 in an 8-2 win over the Tri-City Americans. By the final week of the regular season, Campbell logged 21 goals with 26 assists, sitting just four regular season points away from 100 in his career.
"He's been an absolute warrior for us," said Williams. "He can skate, he can puck-protect, he's the ultimate teammate. He plays a hard, heavy game that a lot of people probably don't realize. For him to have the breakthrough year that he's having from an offensive production standpoint is a testament to his character and his work ethic."
"I like to make myself known," Campbell said of his physical style in a post-game interview after a 6-3 win over the Tri-City Americans on Jan. 16. "I don't like our guys getting pushed around. We're a pretty small team, and I'm just like the big brother so I have to make sure everything goes well."
Campbell was given the Unsung Hero Award by the Everett coaching staff at the Silvertips Team Awards Ceremony on Apr. 8.
"It's meant a lot [playing in Everett]," said Campbell prior to his final regular season home game. "Especially growing up watching them. It's been surreal to finish my career out here and be able to play in front of my family and friends. I couldn't be happier."
"I'll miss the fans, and the atmosphere, and being able to play the game that I love so close to home."
Western Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2022
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- Pats Captain Logan Nijhoff Winner of Dayna Brons Honorary Award - Regina Pats
- Winterhawks Weekly: Hawks Roll into Playoffs with Six Straight Wins - Portland Winterhawks
- Bedard, Howe Named to Canada's U18 World Championship Roster - Regina Pats
- Lukas Dragicevic to Compete at IIHF U18 World Championship - Tri-City Americans
- Siepmann and Buenaventura Named to Hockey Canada U-18 Roster - Calgary Hitmen
- 13 WHL Players to Represent Canada at 2022 IIHF World U18 Championship - WHL
- Lakovic Shakes off Nerves in WHL Debut - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Pats Forward Bedard Named WHL Player of the Week - Regina Pats
- Raiders Netminder Chaika Named WHL Goaltender of the Week - WHL
- Pats Forward Bedard Named WHL Player Of The Week - WHL
- Silvertip Send-Off: Hunter Campbell Finishes "Surreal" Run with Hometown Team - Everett Silvertips
- Oil Kings Recall Gavin Hodnett - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Winterhawks Announce Schedule for First Round of WHL Playoffs - Portland Winterhawks
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