WHL Everett Silvertips

Two-Game Homestand Begins Friday

Published on October 16, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release


For a former first round WHL bantam selection with playmaking ability and power play prowess, what better place to learn and develop than on his club's number one line, a line that features former World Junior standout Daniel Bartek and future NHL forward Kyle Beach? Kellan Tochkin isn t living the life of a traditional WHL rookie. Though some of the razzing from more veteran players is still there, he can put up with it considering the depth and talent that he has surrounding him. Not too many rookies receive the type of on-ice respect that Kellan has generated.

Tochkin hasn't taken the promotion to the Beach/Bartek line lightly. He fully understands what will facilitate development, and is ready to put all of his strong work habits to use. On whether the talent surrounding him on his line makes the transition to the WHL smoother, the Abbotsford, BC native has his sights clear.

"It makes it a little easier, for sure, putting up points. They're good hockey players. Hopefully if I keep working hard, it'll stay that way. It comes down to working hard, so I've gotta keep doing that."

Finding it slightly easier than cracking last year's veteran-laden lineup, Tochkin looks back at last year as a rallying call that energized his work habits and gave him motivation. Understanding that it would have been difficult to stick last year given the depth and talent on display in Everett, Kellan immediately set his focus on playing Junior A and B, including a 59-point, 32-game season with the PIJHL's Ridge Meadows Flames.

"It was great having the year that I had in Junior A and Junior B - playing with bigger players, really good players. I got a little stronger," Tochkin admitted. "I wouldn't say there was a lack of focus at training camp last year - it was just that I was nervous and a bit intimidated. Whereas I came in here this year and it was just like any other day. As much as I would have loved to come up here, friends and family really helped me through it, and I just realized Junior A was a great place to play hockey, and I realized how much I loved hockey. I stayed with it, and every second over the summer when I was training I thought about the Silvertips."

And so Kellan Tochkin has had to go through trial by fire. He's developing on a line where there is little, if any, margin for error. Alongside two WHL veterans, he is expected to be an excellent complement of playmaking ability to Beach's offensive and physical attributes, and Bartek's two-way game and hockey intelligence. Even though he is the unproven rookie, there isn't much game-night pressure.

"There's more pressure in practice I think because I'm a little more afraid to screw up. In the games, it really hasn't been that bad, just because everything's so quick and you don't have a lot of time to think about anything. The coaches expect so much at practice - you don't want to be the rookie that's constantly slowing down the top line."

Displaying a savvy, almost cocky attitude well beyond his years, Tochkin has already started to fine tune the elements of his game that need tweaking while realizing how he's going to have to raise his game to further his development.

"For the amount of chances I have, I've gotta start burying them. Kyle and Daniel have shown that they can put the puck in the net. I'm not the guy who will go and score two or three goals a night - it's more about looking for the assists, working hard, and being a good playmaker. Kyle is going to be playing in the NHL next year, and Daniel will be playing pro somewhere as well. Just being a set-up guy, I'll get some points by working hard with those two."

And hopefully in several years Kellan can pass some of his hockey smarts on to the next hotshot rookie lobbying for extensive ice time.

Two-Game Homestand This Weekend

After Wednesday night's thrilling come-from-behind victory at Vancouver, the Silvertips look to ride their momentum into Friday night's game against the Kelowna Rockets, starting at 7:35 pm at Comcast Arena. This will be Kelowna's first visit to Everett this season. Last season, the Rockets were 1-1 in Everett in a series that included Zack Dailey's shorthanded breakaway game-winning goal in overtime on November 16th, 2007. The first 2,500 fans entering Comcast Arena will receive a Zach Hamill Player Magnet, courtesy of Pratt Pest Management.

The Silvertips play host to the Kamloops Blazers at 7:05 pm Saturday evening at Comcast Arena. Of the last five games between these two teams, three have been decided in overtime, including this year's season opener in which the Blazers knocked off the 'Tips 4-3 in Kamloops. We'll see what happens this time around when the Blazers visit Silvertip Country...we hope you'll be there to show how loud this building can get!

Purchase a Silvertips Jersey and Receive a Personalization Discount

If you buy an authentic Silvertips jersey at the Team Store by November 1st, you'll receive free jersey personalization, a discount of $60. If you buy a replica jersey at the Team Store by November 1st, you'll receive a 50% discount of $30. Prior to personalization, authentic jerseys are $156 + tax, while replica jerseys are $82 + tax. Again, this offer expires following the Saturday, November 1st game against Edmonton, so we hope you'll jump on this terrific discount today!

Trick or Treat with the Tips - Friday, October 31st vs Spokane!

We hope you'll celebrate the first Halloween game in Silvertips history by trick or treating with us at Comcast Arena on Friday, October 31st, during the Silvertips' home game against the defending WHL and Memorial Cup Champion Spokane Chiefs! In addition to trick or treating throughout the concourse, there will also be an intermission costume contest for both kids and adults. Please refer back to your Silvertips newsletter next week, and continue to check www.everettsilvertips.com for upcoming information about this exciting new event.

Sunday, October 26th: Silvertips World Series Party

We're looking forward to you spending game four of the World Series with us over at Sporty's Beef and Brew, where you'll be able to chat with players, get autographs, and watch exciting playoff baseball! Matthew Ius will be on hand along with several of his Silvertips teammates to discuss their baseball backgrounds while also providing plenty of hockey insight. Though the start time of game four has not yet been announced, it will not interfere with afternoon football as FOX has rights to the World Series in addition to the NFL. Remember to check your This Week In Silvertips Hockey Newsletter as well as www.everettsilvertips.com next week to get the start time and more information about this new event.

Thursday, October 30th: Silvertips Halloween Party

Want to trick or treat a day early with the Silvertips? Join Lincoln and several of your favorite Silvertips stars at Alligator Soul as we throw our first annual Silvertips Halloween Party, featuring a hockey-themed costume contest! This kids-oriented event will provide an opportunity for the young ones to join Lincoln's Kids Club and meet the most lovable bear in Snohomish County. For the fans that are already part of Lincoln's Kids Club, special discounts and prizes will be offered.

We're going to be giving away free tickets to the winners of several costume categories, including Best Silvertip Spirit and Most Original Costume. Best of all, the Silvertips will be the judges! Impress your favorite players with the coolest costume and you might just walk away with an autographed stick or tickets to an upcoming home game.

Alligator Soul, located at 3121 Broadway in downtown Everett, will be offering a special Halloween-themed menu to celebrate the occasion. The party is scheduled to take place from 6- 8 pm.

We hope you'll be able to Trick or Treat with the 'Tips! Remember to check your This Week In Silvertips Hockey Newsletter as well as www.everettsilvertips.com throughout October to get the more information about this great event.

Silvertips Scout Night: November 1st vs Edmonton

The Silvertips are calling all the young scouts in the area to their first scout night of the season, held on Saturday, November 1st against the Edmonton Oil Kings. The event, available to the first 1,000 scouts that sign up, comes with a commemorative patch for all members of every scout troop that attend. In addition to the patch, scout tickets also include a kiddie hot dog and a small soda, and feature a special discount of $4 off upper level seats and $5 off lower level seats.

Talk to your Scout Leader and start organizing your group for 2008- 09 Scout Nights TODAY! Regardless of whether you book together as a troop or a pack, you'll receive priority seating together, buy-one-get-one free tickets to a future game, and team store coupons.

For more information, and to reserve seats, please contact Kevin Danford at (425) 609-2809.

Future Scout Night games are Sunday, 1/18/09 vs Kamloops and Saturday, 3/14/09 vs Chilliwack.

Watch WHL Games from the Comfort of Your Own Computer

The 2008-09 Western Hockey League season is here, and you won't have to miss a moment of exiting hockey action with WHL WEB TV, which allows hockey fans to watch their favorite team in action live from their computer.

The WHL and its broadcast partner INSINC will carry all 792 WHL Regular-Season games during the 2008-09 season on WHL WEB TV, meaning fans won't have to miss a single goal, save or bone-crunching hit from their favorite team, whether at home or on the road.

"We are happy to be in a position, through our partnership with INSINC, to continue to broadcast all WHL games live on the internet. This service allows us to deliver every WHL game to our loyal fans, parents and family members, media and scouts on a worldwide basis," commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison.

All WHL Regular-Season games are available live on WHL WEB TV on a broadband pay-per-view basis with individual game, monthly pass and season pass packages available. Archived games are also available on WHL WEB TV. Fans can also take advantage of a Live and On-Demand package for all live and archived WHL games.

Silvertips fans last year purchased more WHL WEB TV packages than fans of any other team in the league. We hope that all the diehards out there continue this trend, and represent Everett as a mean, green hockey town. Remember, You're In Silvertip Country!

Visit www.whl.ca for more about WHL WEB TV.

2008-09 WHL WEB TV PACKAGES

Single Game, Live: $6.95

Single Game, Archive: $3.95

Monthly, Live: $37.95

Monthly, Live & Archive: $59.95

Season Pass: $299.95

Season Ticket Holder Pass: $89.95

Check out the Everett Silvertips Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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