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WHL Everett Silvertips

This Week In Silvertips Hockey

September 3, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release


Seven Silvertips Heading to NHL Camps

The Everett Silvertips announced today that seven current players will be heading to National Hockey League training camps, starting Friday, September 4th.

Center Byron Froese, 18, of Winkler, Manitoba, was selected in the 4th round (119th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. Undrafted in the WHL Bantam Draft, Froese put together a standout rookie season by playing in all 72 games in 2008-09, finishing third on the team with 57 points by virtue of 19 goals and 38 assists. The 6'1, 180 pound forward won several club awards last season, including the Silvertips Coaches award, the Iron Man award and the Community Relations award. Representing Team Canada in the 2009 IIHF Under-18 World Championships, Froese finished third in team scoring with four goals and three assists in six games along with a +6 rating.

Forward Cameron Abney, 18, of Aldergrove, British Columbia, was selected in the 3rd round (82nd overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. Undrafted in the WHL Bantam Draft, Abney attended two Silvertips training camps as a listed player before joining the team full-time in the 2008-09 season and tallied one goal and three assists for four points. Standing 6'4 and weighing 195 pounds, Abney was presented with last year's Most Improved Player award.

Defenseman Rasmus Rissanen, 18, of Kuopio, Finland, was selected in the 6th round (178th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. Selected in the 1st round (17th overall) of the 2009 CHL Import Draft, Rissanen will be making his Silvertip debut in the 2009-10 season. Playing for KalPa's Under-20 team in 2008-09, the 6'4, 192 pound blueliner finished with one goal, eight assists, nine points and 56 penalty minutes in 29 games in 2008-09. He represented Team Finland in the 2009 Under-18 World Championships, held in April, 2009 in Fargo, North Dakota.

Forward Kellan Tochkin, 18, of Abbotsford, British Columbia, signed a contract with the Vancouver Canucks following a free agent tryout with the club in July, 2009. Selected in the 1st round (13th overall) in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft, Tochkin was the WHL's rookie scoring leader in 2008-09, leading all first year players with 74 points in 72 games with 20 goals and 54 assists. Standing 5'11 and weighing 180 pounds, Tochkin was presented the Silvertips' Rookie of the Year award while also being presented with the Iron Man award by playing in all 72 games.

Forward Tyler Maxwell, 18, of Manhattan Beach, California, will be attending the Los Angeles Kings' training camp as a non- drafted invitee. Originally on the Silvertips' protected player list, Maxwell posted a breakthrough rookie season in 2008-09, posting 22 goals and 24 assists for 46 points in 57 WHL games. The 5'10, 180 pound forward contributed with the first hat trick in postseason Silvertip history with his three goals at Tri- City in a 3-2 playoff victory on March 20th, 2009. The Western Conference's finalist as the WHL's Scholastic Player of the Year, Maxwell recently returned from Los Angeles' Summer Prospects Camp.

Goaltender Thomas Heemskerk, 19, of Chilliwack, British Columbia, will be attending the San Jose Sharks' training camp as a non-drafted invitee. Acquired by the Silvertips in a December trade with Kootenay, the 6'0, 182 pound goaltender finished 16-21-3-3 overall in 2008-09 with a 3.15 goals against average and a .900 save percentage and posted shutouts of Portland and Seattle while with Everett.

Defenseman Radko Gudas, 19, of Kladno, Czech Republic, will be attending the Los Angeles Kings' training camp as a non-drafted invitee. Acquired by the Silvertips in the 1st round (20th overall) of the 2009 CHL Import Draft, the 6'0, 192 pound blueliner represented the Czech Republic in the 2008 World Junior Championships and split time between two professional clubs in the Czech Republic in 2008-09.

Ticket Pickup Options for Season Ticket / Package Holders

It's finally that time of year again that we've all been waiting for - HOCKEY SEASON! We'll be holding our annual Season Ticket Holder Pickup Party on Tuesday, September 8th from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Holiday Inn - Downtown Everett, located at 3105 Pine Street, adjacent to Interstate 5. In addition to picking up your season tickets and ticket packages, the 2009-10 Everett Silvertips will be available to sign autographs, pose for pictures, and chat about the upcoming season. Players will be available from 6:00-7:30 pm, so be sure to plan accordingly. Light food and beverages will once again be served. Tickets will need to be paid in full to be picked up.

If you are unable to attend the party, or if you'd like to secure your tickets in hand before Tuesday, season tickets and ticket packages will be available for pickup at the Silvertips offices beginning at 8:30 AM Friday. The office will also be open from 9:00 to 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday this weekend as well. Anyone who selected the mail option should be receiving their tickets by the end of next week.

NHL Game: 19 Days Away!

The countdown continues, Silvertip fans! We are now less than three weeks away from the NHL exhibition game between the Phoenix Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning. For further information, please visit Silvertips.com . For tickets, please call (425) 252- 5100 to speak to a friendly ticketing representative.

Reebok Edge Jerseys Set for September 9 Launch

The new NHL-style Reebok Edge jerseys will be unveiled at Silvertips.com on Wednesday, September 9th in a national launch in conjunction with the rest of the Western Hockey League.

The jerseys and socks, which are tighter fitting and less water absorbent, allow for more flexibility and greater maneuverability on the ice. The original Reebok Edge Jerseys were debuted at the NHL All-Star Game in 2007 and were implemented league-wide in the NHL for the 2007-08 season.

Only the home and away jerseys will be showcased on the club's website. The Silvertips, along with the rest of the Western Hockey League, will not be wearing alternate jerseys in 2009-10.

Scout Night #1: Friday, November 13

Be prepared! It's never too early to start planning for the first Scout Night of the season, which will be held on Friday, November 13th at 7:35 pm against the Kelowna Rockets, the defending WHL Champions. Tickets will be $16 for a Scout Ticket (which also includes a Kiddie Hot Dog, Small Soda and Scout Patch), while Non-Scout Tickets are $10. The largest Scout Group in attendance will be able to present the colors on the ice during the singing of the national anthem!

Further information will continued to be released prior to the event. For more information, and to be among the first scout troops to reserve seats, please call Kevin Danford at the Silvertips office at (425) 609-2809.

Preseason Tournament Begins Tomorrow

Silvertips fans, it's not too late to reserve your seats at this weekend's 6th annual Everett Silvertips Preseason Tournament! The Silvertips will match up against the Seattle Thunderbirds for the first time since March on Saturday at 7 pm while also facing off against Tri-City (Friday, 7 pm) and Portland (Sunday, 7 pm). With weekend temperatures dropping and rain in the forecast, the most comfortable place to be this weekend is Comcast Arena, where you'll be able to cure those summer hockey blues. Beginning at 8:30 am on Friday, September 4th, the tournament package becomes $75, still an excellent deal for nine - yes, nine! - WHL hockey games.

Home Opener: Saturday, September 26

Silvertips fans, we are officially 23 days away from the Silvertips' 2009-10 home opener!

While we can't wait to see you at the Preseason Tournament and the NHL game, we also want to pack the house to welcome the Silvertips back to Comcast Arena while generating a difficult environment for the rival Vancouver Giants.

Everett-Vancouver games are always filled with intriguing story lines and fierce competition. After the Silvertips won twice on Pacific Coliseum ice last season, the Giants will be hungry to spoil the Silvertips' home opener. We want you to be there, ringing cowbells and once again proving why Snohomish County is home to the best fans in the WHL.

To kick off the 2008-09 season with two talented Western Conference squads, we hope you'll call the Silvertips offices at (425) 252-5100 or visit Silvertips.com to order tickets. Group ticketing and ticket packages are also available by speaking with one of our friendly ticketing representatives.

Game-Night Fundraising Opportunities Available

If you have a team or non-profit organization that is looking to raise money while enjoying the excitement of Silvertips Hockey, there are plenty of opportunities to coordinate fundraising opportunities during home games. We are specifically looking for groups that would like to raise money by selling programs and chuck-a-pucks. For further information, feel free to contact Rob Ramsburgh at (425) 609-2806.

Kids: Sign up for Lincoln's Kids Club!

Now that Lincoln is awake from his summer hibernation, make sure to join his popular Kids' Club to stay in the know about what's going on with the 'Tips and to win special prizes! Everyone who signs up for the Kids Club receives four orange level tickets to a Silvertips home game, a bear bank, a Lincoln mouse pad, a Silvertips Frisbee, and a backpack, along with many more Silvertips prizes and savings. The yearly membership fee is $20, which comes with a quarterly newsletter, and the application form can be downloaded from the front page of everettsilvertips.com. Fans who have already joined Lincoln's Kids Club can pick up their goodie bags starting at the Preseason Tournament.

We'd like to thanks our friends at NorthWest Plus Credit Union for sponsoring Lincoln's Kids Club once again!

National Anthem Singers Needed

Have you ever wanted to sing the National Anthem (either the U.S. or Canadian National Anthem) in front of thousands of people? Well, now is your chance! The Everett Silvertips are looking for the best of the best to sing at Comcast Arena during the 2009-2010 season.

If you would like to audition, please send us your best rendition of the National Anthem on CD to:

National Anthem Auditions C/O Everett Silvertips Hockey Club 2000 Hewitt Ave, Suite #100 Everett, WA 98201

Audition material may also be sent via mp3 to Rob Ramsburgh at robr@everettsilvertips.com. The Silvertips prefer traditional renditions of the National Anthem, acappella if sung, and under two minutes in length.. To be considered for the Canadian Anthem, it must also be included in audition materials.

Additional information required with application:

a. Resume of past performances and list of references if available

b. Name(s) of performer(s)

c. Main Contact person

d. Mailing Address

e. Day Time Phone Number, Fax, and Email address

f. Number of People in Group

g. Availability: dates, days of the week, etc.

h. Any special requirements including handicap accessibility

The Silvertips will provide one microphone for single performers and two microphones for groups, and any additional needs MUST be noted in audition application.

Once the application arrives it will be reviewed and placed on file. If a date becomes available, a representative from the Everett Silvertips Game Operations Department will contact the individual or group and make the necessary arrangements. No phone calls, please.

If you think you have what it takes to sing at Comcast Arena, send your recording now for the chance of a lifetime!

Check out the Everett Silvertips Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from September 3, 2009


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