Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Silvertips Goalie Heemskerk Signs with San Jose


                                           Photo Courtesy: San Jose Sharks



Congratulations go out to Everett Silvertips goaltender Thomas Heemskerk, who just signed an entry level contract with the San Jose Sharks. By all accounts, Thomas had an outstanding training camp with the Sharks last month. According to a news release posted at San Jose's website, he posted a 2-0 record along with a 1.50 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage. Those two wins came against the Anaheim Ducks.


According to friends who attended Sharks training camp in San Jose, Thomas was stellar in net, and they can't wait to see him develop his chops and don the teal and white for which they are so passionate.


In a news release posted at the Sharks' website, San Jose's Executive Vice President/General Manager Doug Wilson said, "Thomas played very well during this year's rookie tournament and made a big impression on our staff. Doug Soetaert and Craig Hartsburg have done a tremendous job working with Thomas and we look forward to him continuing his development with our organization."
A news release from the Silvertips quotes Thomas as saying, "It's something that I've been thinking about since I was little kid, and for it to come true is incredible. It's very exciting, but I'm more focused on putting together a strong season in Everett."



Thomas already has two victories under his belt for Everett, both coming against the Vancouver Giants, including an exciting home opener Friday night that ended in a shootout. The 19 year old Chilliwack, BC native began his WHL career with theKootenay Ice before being traded to the Silvertips in December 2008.

Silvertips Vice President/General Manager Doug Soetaert is very happy with the way Thomas has performed since joining the team. In the news release, he is quoted as saying, ""Thomas has worked extremely hard since we acquired him last year to put himself in position to earn this contract."

Thomas is the third Silvertip this year to sign an NHL contract this year. ForwardKellan Tochkin became the youngest Everett player to ink a deal. The 18 year old signed a three year contract with the Vancouver Canucks. Defenseman Taylor Ellington also signed with the Canucks and should see a lot of action this season as part of the team's AHL affiliate, Manitoba Moose.

You can catch Thomas Heemskerk and the rest of the Silvertips in action next Wednesday, October 7th, when they welcome a strong Portland Winterhawks team to Comcast Arena. The game starts at 7:05. You can find more information about the Silvertips by clicking
here.






                                         Photo Courtesy: San Jose Sharks

Saturday, September 26, 2009

T-Birds: Interviews, promos, etc.


The Seattle Thunderbirds have seen a lot of airtime recently on KING 5.  Head Coach Rob Sumner hung out with Sports anchor Paul Silvi on NorthWest Sports Tonight, to talk about the new season and a lot of new, young players joining the ranks. Click here to see more.

Coach also chatted with me about the teams new Reebok Edge uniforms, players at training camps and such. Click here for that.

Goalie Calvin Pickard chatted about his busy summer (helping Team Canada win gold at the U-18 tournament in Slovakia and the Czech Republic) and other stuff. Click here to see more. You can also read an interview Calvin did last season by clicking here.

Center (and newly-minted Captain) Lindsay Nielson chatted about the new uniforms, his summer and goals for the season. Click here for that.

Finally, the off season dragged on and on for fans but no one seemed to suffer more than T-Birds mascot Cool Bird.  KING 5 photographer Jim Scott hung out with Cool Bird- and chronicled his transition from long summer doldrums... to getting back on the ice!  Click here for that.

Silvertips: Interviews, promos, etc.


Zack Dailey, Shane Harper, Paul Sohor (Photo: Su Ring)

The Everett Silvertips kept a pretty high profile on KING 5 this week. RW Kellan Tochkin traded his uniform for a snazzy black suit to hang out with Sports anchor Paul Silvi on NorthWest Sports Tonight. They chatted about everything from Kellan's new contract with the Vancouver Canucks (youngest player in Silvertips history to sign a pro contract), new 'Tips Head Coach Craig Hartsburg and the new season.  If you missed it, don't worry. I've posted the entire segment online. All you have to do is click right here to see it.  I'll say this about Kellan: he gives a great interview. Need proof? Click here to read his first interview with the KING 5 Hockey page early last season.  Click here to read the interview he did just after signing his Canucks contract.

Also, this week, we aired a promo video we shot with Silvertips fans, mascot Lincoln, PR guy Jon Rosen, and players Zack Dailey, Shane Harper and Paul Sohor.  Photographer Jim Scott had a blast shooting and editing the piece, and as you can see by clicking here, the anchors had a great time watching it.  I hope you do, too.

As with any story that airs on TV, we don't use an entire interview.  So, I edited the interviews with Zack, Shane and Paul together and posted that online, too.  Click here to see what else they had to say!

A few interviews: Mueller, Spina, Helenius

It's been a pretty busy week, what with the WHL season finally underway and the NHL coming to Everett. The Phoenix Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning organizations were great in helping me line up interviews with a couple of players who have ties to the greater Seattle area for the KING 5 hockey page.  Here are some links:



 Peter Mueller/Photo Courtesy: Brynna Owens
                                         
Interview with Peter Mueller (Phoenix Coyotes/Everett Silvertips)
http://blogs.king5.com/sports/2009/09/nhl-interview-with-coyotes-for.html



David Spina/Photo Courtesy: San Antonio Rampage

Interview with David Spina (Phoenix Coyotes/San Antonio Rampage/grew up in the Tacoma area)
http://blogs.king5.com/sports/2009/09/nhl-interview-with-phoenix-coy.html



 Riku Helenius/Photo: Su Ring

Interview with Riku Helenius (Tampa Bay Lightning/Norfolk Admirals/Seattle Thunderbirds)
http://blogs.king5.com/sports/2009/09/nhl-interview-with-former-tbir.html

T-Birds v. Winterhawks, ShoWare Center, Sept. 19, 2009

All Photos: Su Ring