There's been a lot of talk lately
about Seattle getting an NHL team. Some people have gone on and on about how
much they miss going to hockey games and an NHL team can't come soon enough
because it's too much of a hassle to drive up to Vancouver to watch the
Canucks, not to mention the ticket prices.
*AHEM*
Hockey is alive and well in
Seattle... and Everett... and Spokane... and the Tri Cities... and Wenatchee...
and even across the border in Oregon (Portland, to be exact). Okay, in
all fairness, these are major junior teams comprised of players who are 16 to
20 years old. Some of the so-called "hockey" fans I've chatted with
say they have no time to watch kids - bring on the big guys, the pros. Other
fans I've chatted with talk excitedly about being able to watch NHL players
like Marian Hossa (Portland Winterhawks), Patrick Marleau
(Seattle Thunderbirds), Zdeno Chara (Prince George Cougars) and Carey
Price (Tri City Americans) (to name JUST a few) hone their skills in
the Western Hockey League, then watching those "kids" go on to have
successful NHL careers. (For a complete list of WHL alumni - players AND
coaches - currently in the NHL, visit WHL Network’s Prospect Central)
Here’s a list of teams within
driving distance of Seattle:
There are a number of reasons to
drive to Everett, Kent or take a road trip to Wenatchee, Spokane, the Tri
Cities and Portland - or even a ferry over to Victoria or cross the border to
Vancouver and support major junior hockey:
Games are affordable! You can score a ticket for as
little as $10
There's not a bad seat in the house... err.. arena
You'll meet some awesome fans, many who also double as
billet (host) families, giving players a "home" away from home.
You can help support these kids on their quest to
attain NHL careers by showing up and cheering loudly.
You can bask in the satisfaction of saying on NHL Draft
day, "I knew _______ would make it!"
You can watch NHL games with your buddies and say,
"I watched ________ come up in the WHL. I knew he'd make it."
Did I mention games are affordable?
Snacks and drinks are a lot cheaper than at NHL arenas
(and a mere pittance when compared to food sold at Safeco
& CenturyLink Fields)
You can join your team's Booster Club and take part in
special events, meet and greets, and get special deals and promotions or
sponsor a player as their "Secret Pal"
Without leagues like the WHL (and OHL, QMJL, NAHL,
USHL, NCAA and others), there might not be an NHL - or an NHL filled with
players from such diverse backgrounds. I mean, how many frozen ponds are
there in Canada for up and coming players to hone their skills? (Just
kidding, I know all Canadian boys are born with
skates strapped to their feet and hockey skills embedded in their brains.
If this hasn't convinced you to
plunk down $10 to check out a game, maybe the following people will. They're
the men and women who cover the teams, driving to every home game (and even
some away games), interviewing coaches and players, breaking down plays and
offering their skilled analysis of the team they cover, as well as every
opponent who comes to town. They know their stuff and are more than happy to
chat with you should you happen to run into them at a game (or on
Twitter).
Let me introduce the writers who
cover teams in Washington and Oregon, along with their Twitter handles (click
on their names to visit their websites):
Want to know what life is like as a
major junior hockey player? I can help you with that, too! Chris Rumble, who
played with the Wenatchee Wild from 2009-2011 and now attends Canisius College
on a hockey scholarship, filmed a documentary during his final year with the
Wild. It’s called Into the Ice and is
available on DVD. (Side note: if the name Chris Rumble sounds familiar, he’s
the mastermind behind the “Stronger”
video shot at Seattle Children’s Hospital that went viral)
So, you’ve been prepped. Now, sit
back and think about what turned you into a hockey fan. Think about the amazing
plays you’ve seen, the players who defied description, the players you
believed in, even if others had already written them off. Did you wish you
could have seen The Great One as a kid player? Super Mario? Bobby Hull? This is
your chance to watch for the next generation of “Great Ones.” The challenge to
you is to go to your local arena and see whether you can spot the next NHL star
in the making.
If you see me there, come say hi. I’ll
buy you a beer.
11:30amSeattle
Thunderbirds vs. Tri City Americans
3:00pmPortland
Winterhawks vs. Spokane Chiefs
7:00pmEverett
Silvertips vs. Victoria Royals
Saturday, August 31:
11:30amTri City
Americans vs. Portland Winterhawks
3:00pmSeattle
Thunderbirds vs. Victoria Royals
7:00pmEverett
Silvertips vs. Spokane Chiefs
Sunday, September 1:
11:30amTri City
Americans vs. Victoria Royals
3:00pmSpokane Chiefs
vs. Seattle Thunderbirds
7:00pmEverett
Silvertips vs. Portland Winterhawks
For more information about the Holiday Inn Pre-Season Classic and
the rest of the pre-season schedule, please click here.
The Silvertips will launch the 2013-2014 regular season on
Saturday, September 23 by welcoming the Prince George Cougars to Comcast Arena.
The puck drops at 7:05pm. Please click here for the complete 2013-2014
regular season schedule.
For more information about the Everett Silvertips, including
promotion nights, season ticket options or to buy single game tickets, visit
the ‘Tips website: www.everettsilvertips.com
Shane Harper (Photo Courtesy: Frank Dienes III/Everett Silvertips)
We begin this week with a big CONGRATULATIONS to Everett Silvertips forward SHANE HARPER, who just joined the Adirondack Phantoms, after signing an entry-level contract with the Phantoms' NHL team, the Philadelphia Flyers. Shane flew to Adirondack after the Silvertips lost Game 7 in the first round of the WHL playoffs to the Kelowna Rockets. The Phantoms are excited to have Harps in their lineup, as they well should be! He finished the regular season with a whopping 42 goals and 38 assists for 80 points, then continued to light a fire under the 'Tips in the playoffs with 6 goals and 4 assists. You can read the Phantoms' news release about acquiring Harper & D-man Erik Gustafsson from Northern Michigan University. Just click here.
Speaking of WHL playoffs, round 2 is set and two US Division teams are still in the fight. The Tri City Americans take on Kelowna in Games 1 and 2 tonight and tomorrow night in Kennewick. The puck drops at 7:05pm both nights. Tickets are available and I've made it easy for you to get them. Just click here to be linked to the Ams homepage!
The Portland Winterhawks will host the Vancouver Giants tomorrow and Sunday at Memorial Coliseum in the Rose City. Game 1 starts at 7pm. Game 2 starts at 5pm. To get tickets, just click here to be linked to the Winterhawks' website.
You can watch these and ALL WHL playoff games online at the WHL's website. Just click here to check it out.
Calvin (L) & Chet (R) Pickard (Photo: Cathy & Bill Pickard)
The name “Pickard” instills excitement in many hockey fans… and apprehension in many hockey players, and it doesn’t matter which first name you pair with it.
Chet Pickard (Photo courtesy: Scott Paulus/Milwaukee Admirals)
Chet – the WHL’s Goaltender of the year in 2007-08 and 2008-09. One of two goaltenders for Team Canada at the 2009 World Junior Championships. Named to the WHL West First All-Star Team in 2008 and 2009 for his stellar play in net for the Tri City Americans. Drafted 18th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators. Now making his mark with the Preds’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.
Calvin Pickard (Photo Courtesy: Mick White/Kent Valley Sports)
Calvin – member of Canada’s Under-18 Team that took gold over the summer at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. One of two goaltenders who helped Team WHL pull of a series sweep at the Subway Super Series tournament in Victoria in November. Just selected to play in the NHL Prospects game on January 20 in Windsor, Ontario (more information here). Currently ranked #1 among WHL goalies by Central Scouting for his amazing play in net for the Seattle Thunderbirds, including two memorable (some would say “amazing”) games against his brother’s old team, Tri City.
October 2, 2009. Calvin stops 57 out of 57 shots to help the T-Birds beat the Americans 1-0 and earn his first shutout of the season. (We’ll talk about the second game a little later).
When asked what he remembers about that 57-stop game, Calvin says, “It was one of those nights where everything kind of went well for me: got some calls, got some blocks, our defense played pretty well, clearing out rebounds so everything just clicked.”
Chet’s amazed about his brother’s feat, but not surprised. “It’s pretty impressive. You’re not going to see many of those around. I don’t think many people out there can do that. Calvin’s a really good goalie. Calvin’s been good since the first day he put on the pads.”
That’s high praise coming from a guy known for his cool play between the pipes. But Chet will quickly tell you that he believes Calvin has more natural ability in goal, while Chet has had to work hard to hone his skills. Calvin agrees that he is the more natural athlete, but says he learned a lot from watching his brother. “He’s got a great work ethic and he’s really disciplined. He’s earned everything he’s gotten to this day.”
Their father Dan says Chet and Calvin have different strengths – and have been able to help each other fill a void. “At a younger age, Calvin showed a lot more, I’ll call it, stronger mental game than his older brother, and his older brother had a stronger physical game than his younger brother. It’s kind of an interesting dynamic that we watched take place. Calvin is much more into the physical aspect and preparation in his game now and Chet is much, much stronger in the mental part of his game than he was when he was younger.”
Chet, being two years older than his 17 year old brother, made the first foray into net around the age of 7 or 8, while playing for a Timbits team in New Brunswick. “I just remember playing at that age when everybody had to be the goalie for a game and when my turn came around, I really enjoyed it.”
Dan says Chet’s future was sealed with help from a little mix-up at hockey camp that summer. “We showed up at camp with his little bag of hockey gear and the guy who was organizing the camp said, ‘We have him down as a goaltender.’ I said, ‘Well, he’s not a goaltender, he played only one game.’ And Chet looked up at me and said, ‘I’d like to play in goal.’” The man running the camp owned a second hand equipment store and got Chet some goaltending gear. At the end of camp, the organizers told Dan that Chet showed a natural ability in net, noting, among other things, “He doesn’t twitch when the puck is shot at him.”
Calvin says he decided to try goaltending because Chet played goalie, but Dan says Calvin could have played any position. “He was a very talented player no matter whether he played forward or defense.” Calvin played goal through his team’s playoffs, and when he tried out for an elite team the next season, Dan was told Calvin would have to choose which position to try out for. “That was when Calvin decided he wanted to become a goaltender full time.”
Calvin at 10 years old (Photo Courtesy: Cathy & Bill Pickard)
Dan says it was easier to raise two goaltenders, even though Chet and Calvin grew up playing on different teams. “It was easy for them to bounce thoughts and ideas and have a healthy relationship competitive-wise and healthy respect for each other. It made it easier for my wife and I to deal with both of them because we could compare and support them both the same way.”
The biggest challenge? Juggling schedules and games, but Dan and his wife Cathy seem to have made it work. “We tried to have one parent at every one of their games. I’m a bit of a hockey… I wouldn’t say fanatic but very dedicated to the sport, so I went to most practices. At least one of us would be at every game, depending on what our travel or work schedules would be.”
Last season, they had a difficult decision to make: Who would go see Chet play with Team Canada in the World Junior Championships in Ottawa, and who would go to Port Alberni to watch Calvin play with Team West in the World Under-17 tournament? Dan thought Cathy would opt for Ottawa, since she has family there, but she surprised him.
“My wife said, ‘I’m going to watch Calvin if Chet makes World Juniors.’ My daughter came with me to Ottawa and we watched Chet in the World Juniors.”
Chet and Calvin say they don’t have the words to express their gratitude. Says Chet: “My parents are unreal with the support they gave us. They put a lot of miles on their cars and a lot of money out of their pockets for us. Hopefully one day we can reward them by both playing in the NHL and sending them on a cruise somewhere.” (Chet laughs) “It’s exciting to have the biggest hockey parents around. They love us and they take care of us and they support us no matter how tough of times we go through.”
Calvin agrees: “I give them so much credit, for driving us to the rink, being there for every little situation we had with hockey, to things like making us food, paying the gas bill to drive us everywhere. Having Chet and me both being goalies, you don’t see that too often. We love our parents, they’re good people and everything we did together was happy and they had fun doing it.”
With such a close-knit family, how hard was it for Chet and Calvin to travel so far from home to play junior hockey? Dan said both boys looked forward to the adventure. “In Chet’s case, he did not want to be close to home. He wanted to be further away. In Calvin’s case, he wanted to go to a big city. It just so happened that both boys got drafted to the same state.”
Chet loved playing for Tri City. “It was really good for me, right from Day One. The whole organization, from the owners to the coaches, they all really supported me. They gave me all the chances in the world. When I was 18 and finally took over the starting job (after Carey Price left to play for the Montreal Canadiens), they prepared me well. I’ve got a lot of respect for what they do there in the Tri Cities. Everybody is first class and they really treated me well and supported me well, even through the tough games.”
What’s his best memory with the Ams? “That one year when we finally hung our first banner there (US Division Champions 2008) and how excited everybody was when we beat Spokane in the final game of the season, to raise that banner. It was an exciting season, not only for the players but the fans, who have stuck around for the 20-odd years they’ve been there.”
Calvin says his transition from home to the WHL has also been smooth. “Since the whole organization has played such a huge role in making this a comfortable spot to play, I feel the transition has been rather easy. The coaching staff, Paul Fricker, my goalie coach, have been a great help for me physically on the ice and mentally. Lastly, I could not possibly have better teammates then what I have right now. They are always in good spirits and a pleasure to be around.”
Both say they benefited from having wonderful and supportive billet families, who remain close with all the Pickards.
Chet says his biggest challenge in moving from the WHL to AHL is the lifestyle change, both on and off the ice. “You get to a level like this and everybody’s quicker, everybody can shoot the puck harder. My biggest thing is, I’ve gotta be quicker. I’m working on agility drills off the ice and when it comes to being on the ice, just pushing myself every day and getting out of my comfort zone.”
Chet says he looks to former Tri City teammate and friend Carey Price for inspiration. “Carey’s a unique guy. Most goalies don’t play in the NHL right after their last year in juniors. Carey was in a situation where he could do that. He’s got a lot of pressure on him in Montreal but the first two games of this year, he stood on his head and won the games for his team. I look up to Carey. He’s a great goalie and a great friend and he’s helped me out so much.”
Chet’s using his time in Milwaukee to prepare and give himself the best chance to play well, once he reaches the NHL. “I’m here to work hard every single day, just do what I do, control what I can control and see what happens.”
He’s also learning to live on his own. “I’d say that’s one of the biggest adjustments – managing your own time, cooking your own meals, paying the bills and all that. You’ve got to manage your time and manage what you do. It’s a big change but I’m getting used to it.”
These are things that Calvin will also have to get used to. He’ll turn 18 in April and is eligible for the NHL Entry Draft, which takes place in Los Angeles in June. If he continues his stellar play, there’s no doubt that he will be drafted high in the first round. He’s on everyone’s radar and has been featured in a number of articles, including a profile on nhl.com. But Calvin is trying to remain level headed about things.
“You try and not let yourself get overwhelmed by those things. I want to have the attitude I’ve had all my life – just go out and play every game, treat every game the same, prepare the exact same way, just be the best goalie you can be every day and at the end of the day, it will hopefully fall into place.”
How did a 17 year old get so level-headed? Father Dan says watching the hoopla that surrounded Chet helps, but that Calvin has always been on an even keel. “One thing they both understand is that it’s very fleeting. It’s all about work and it’s all about productivity. I think he (Calvin) knows how to keep it (the attention) separate from what he knows his day-to-day job is, which is stopping pucks for Seattle.”
Speaking of stopping pucks, remember that amazing game against the Tri City Americans on October 2, where Calvin stopped 57 shots for a 1-0 shutout win? The Ams traveled to ShoWare Center in Kent again on December 11th. This time, Calvin stopped 54 out of 55 shots to help the T-Birds win 5-1. His save percentage is 0.924, second highest in the WHL, behind James Reid of Spokane.
And Chet? He’s finding his feet in Milwaukee and gaining confidence. His save percentage: a respectable 0.910. Calvin has no doubt his brother will shine in the pros. “Chet’s an unbelievable goalie. He tore up this league (WHL) for the past couple of seasons in Tri City and was part of the reason they were so good. There’s no reason he can’t do it at the next level and then soon to be the NHL, too.”
Dan and Cathy and daughter Kelly are content to watch Chet and Calvin use their passion and talent to their best ability. “When you think of the numbers of kids that are playing, and being able to have that level of success for one, let alone two, is just crazy. It’s really kind of unbelievable but we give all the credit to their coaches, to the boys themselves for the work effort and the passion they put into the game. I end every one of my text messages, ‘Good luck and have fun.’”
The Pickards are busy planning their travel schedule for the rest of the season. They won’t have to go far to see Chet play in January: the Admirals travel to Winnipeg play the Canucks’ AHL team, the Manitoba Moose. In the meantime, they’ll keep in daily touch with Chet and Calvin by phone, text and internet… and maybe dream of a little California sunshine in June.
The Seattle Thunderbirds notched a victory on the road in Spokane, beating the Chiefs 3-2 in overtime. Spokane got on the board first, as Mitch Wahl scored late in the first period, assisted by Kenton Miller and Tanner Mort. The T-Birds tied things up early in the second period, on an unassisted goal by Mikhail Sentyurin (his second of the season).
Prab Rai put Seattle ahead early in the third, scoring his 21st goal, with help from Lindsay Nielsen and Erik Fleming. The Chiefs came back to tie things up halfway through the period. Anthony Bardaro found a way past Calvin Pickard at 11:06. Brady Brassart and Corbin Baldwin got the assists.
The game headed into overtime and it looked as though it would end in a shootout, but with 23 seconds left on the clock, Charles Wells teamed up with Jeremy Schappert and Brenden Dillon put the puck past Spokane goaltender James Reid, to give the T-Birds a win over a strong Chiefs team. Final score: Seattle 3, Spokane 2. Shots on goal: Seattle 30, Spokane 25. Three Stars of the Game: 1. Mitch Wahl (Spokane) 2. Prab Rai (Seattle) 3. Charles Wells (Seattle).
The T-Birds return home to ShoWare Center in Kent tonight to face the Swift Current Broncos, their last game before the Christmas holiday. The puck drops at 7:05 and tickets are still available. Just click here for more information.
Tri City shuts out Everett 3-0
The Tri City Americans brought their physical, high-shooting game into Comcast Arena and shut out the Everett Silvertips. Justin Feser scored the first goal for the Ams 9:30 into the first period on a power play, as Daniel Iwanski sat in the box on a boarding call. Jordan Messier and Brooks Macek assisted. Tri City struck again late in the first. Johnny Lazo scored his 20th goal of the season on a shorthanded play at 15:14, while teammate Patrick Holland served a hooking penalty. Justin Feser was credited with the assist.
Lazo struck again in the final minute of the third period, finding an empty net. Sophomore goaltender Drew Owsley turned away all 32 of the Silvertips’ shots, while Everett netminder Kent Simpson did an admirable job blocking a majority of Tri City’s 40 shots. Final score: Tri City 3, Everett 0. Three Stars of the Game: 1. Drew Owsley (Tri City) 2. Justin Feser (Tri City) 3. Kent Simpson (Everett)
The Silvertips boarded a bus after last night’s game to travel to Chilliwack, BC. They face the Bruins tonight at 7:00 in their last game before the Christmas holiday. For more information on the ‘Tips’ home schedule, click here.
The first time the Seattle Thunderbirds faced the Tri City Americans at home this season, goaltender Calvin Pickard played like gangbusters, stopping 57 of 57 shots to mark a 1-0 shutout win. That was back on October 2. Since then, Tri City has taken two from the T-Birds, including one that ended in a shootout. Last night, The Americans rolled back into ShoWare Center, looking for its third victory over Seattle. But they didn’t bargain on a team that’s been steadily improving, nearly 4,000 rabid fans… and Calvin Pickard. Pickard stopped 54 out of 55 shots, and a number of T-Birds stepped up to score, including two who recorded their first goals of the season.
Tri City got on the board first, just after 4 minutes into the first period. Neal Prokop scored, with help from Mason Wilgosh and Justin Feser. After that, the game turned into the T-Birds show. Mikhail Sentyurin scored his first goal this season, on a pass from Erik Fleming and Erik Bonsor. The first period went by pretty quickly, with Tri City nearly doubling Seattle in shots on goal (22-13), but Pickard and Tri City goaltender Drew Owsley stayed on their toes and both teams hit the locker rooms tied up 1-1.
The second period looked as though it would be a repeat of the first, with the Americans outshooting the T-Birds nearly 2 to 1, and Calvin Pickard blocking every shot. At the other end of the ice, Drew Owsley was playing just as hard and keeping T-Birds from scoring. More than half the period would go by before Seattle found a way past him. Prab Rai scored his 20th goal of the season at 13:05. Charles Wells and Jeremy Schappert assisted in this power play score. Scott Ramsay struck exactly four minutes later (at 17:05), notching his first goal in a T-Birds uniform, with help from Tyler Alos and Jeremy Schappert. The second period ended with Tri City still outshooting Seattle 18-9, but the T-Birds leading 2-1.
The third period got pretty chippy, as the Americans fought to tie things up. A number of penalties and one big fight involving several players set the tone for the final 20 minutes of regulation. Tyler Alos scored about 8 minutes in to put Seattle up 3-1. Jeremy Schappert was credited with the assist, for his third point of the game. About 3 minutes later, T-Birds Captain Lindsay Nielsen teamed up with Prab Rai and Charles Wells to put Seattle up 5-1. Sixty seconds after that, a brawl erupted on the ice. When the referees regained control, four players were slapped with various penalties: The Americans’ Jordan Messier was called for clipping, while Cody Castro received a 5 minute major for fighting. Zachary Yuen also got 5 minutes for fighting, as well as a game misconduct. T-Birds Brendan Rouse and Sena Acolatse received 5 minutes for fighting. Acolatse also got a game misconduct.
With 8 minutes left to play in regulation, Tri City pulled Drew Owsley out of net and replaced him with Brett Martyniuk, who kept the T-Birds from scoring again. But the damage was done, and when the clock ran out, T-Birds fans headed for the doors, talking about another exciting Seattle win and the amazing play by their sophomore goaltender. Final score: Seattle 5, Tri City 1. Total shots on goal: Tri City 55, Seattle 28. Three Stars of the Game: 1. Calvin Pickard 2. Jeremy Schappert 3. Tyler Alos.
The Seattle Thunderbirds drive up to Everett tonight to face the Silvertips at Comcast Arena. The puck drops at 7:05pm. For more information, click here.
