Silvertips excited to host NHL preseason game in Everett (and we're excited too!)

The hockey season has been over for several months here in Western Washington, but recently, it seems to be all we're talking about, especially on the Everett Silvertips front. First, the team introducs a new head coach: former NHL player and coach Craig Hartsburg. Then, forwards Cameron Abney and Byron Froese are drafted by the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks, respectively. Now, Everett is bursting with pride again, as the Tampa Bay Lightning selects Comcast Arena as one of the stops on a pre-season tour in September.

On Tuesday, September 22, the Lightning, featuring the likes of Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Steven Stamkos and talented defensive prospect Victor Hedman, will take on the Phoenix Coyotes, featuring former Silvertips Peter Mueller and Shaun Heshka in the lineup-- and "The Great One" himself, Wayne Gretzky, behind the bench.

I could go on, but Jon Rosen, the Silvertips' Director of Broadcasting and Public Relations, has written a beautiful news release. You can read it below, then click here to visit the Everett Silvertips homepage for more information, and catch up with all the other happenings in Silvertips country.

The NHL is Coming to Everett!
Lecavalier, Doan, Mueller, Stamkos, Hedman to showcase skills at Comcast Arena
Everett, WA - Everett Silvertips Vice President / General Manager Doug Soetaert announced today that the Everett Silvertips will be hosting a National Hockey League preseason game between the Phoenix Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning at Comcast Arena on Tuesday, September 22nd at 7:35 pm.

The Phoenix Coyotes, coached by hockey legend and all-time NHL leading scorer Wayne Gretzky, feature former Silvertip and 2005-06 WHL Rookie of the Year Peter Mueller as well as defenseman Shaun Heshka, who appeared in 204 games for the Silvertips from 2003-06 and was recently acquired by the Coyotes in a June trade with the Vancouver Canucks.

The Tampa Bay Lightning feature a dynamic core of exciting youth, headlined by center Steven Stamkos, the first overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, as well as defenseman Victor Hedman, the second overall pick in 2009. Stanley Cup winners and five-time 30 goal scorers Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis are also featured on the Lightning roster.

Everett Silvertips season ticket and package holders will have the first opportunity to purchase discounted tickets prior to the Saturday, August 1st public on-sale date. All fans who have purchased season tickets or a ticket package will be receiving an order form that must be turned in to the Silvertips by Thursday, July 23rd to ensure their regular seats.

Tickets will go on sale to the public on Saturday, August 1st at the Comcast Arena box office and via www.everettsilvertips.com. Prices range from $50 to $65, which does not include a one dollar facility charge. Starting Monday, August 3rd, the Silvertips Front Office will also be available to handle all ticketing queries.

For the best possible value, fans are encouraged to purchase one of two packages which will provide access to the NHL preseason game in addition to the Everett Silvertips Preseason Tournament, held from Friday September 4th through Sunday, September 6th. The Peter Mueller Package, priced at $88, includes an upper bowl ticket to the NHL game in addition to a lower bowl ticket to all nine games of the Preseason Tournament. The Wayne Gretzky Package, priced at $99, includes a lower bowl ticket to the NHL game and a lower bowl ticket to all nine games of the Preseason Tournament.

"This is going to be a great experience for hockey fans throughout Everett and greater Seattle," Soetaert said. "We're really excited to be able to provide an NHL game at affordable prices and look forward to packing the building and continuing our great game-night atmosphere."

For all ticketing information, including regular season seats and mini-plans, please call the Silvertips' front office at (425) 252-5100. Further updates can also be found on the social networking site Twitter, where the Silvertips operate under the handle WHLsilvertips, as well as Facebook under "Official Everett Silvertips".