EPIC commercial featuring former Everett Silvertips Captain (and current Assistant Coach) Mitch Love, plus cameos by a number of his former 'Tips teammates. How many can you spot in this ad for Lamoureaux Real Estate?
Friday, September 13, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Hockey in Seattle... and Everett... and Spokane... and Wenatchee... etc.
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:
Everett
Silvertips (WHL, home arena: Comcast Arena)
Seattle
Thunderbirds (WHL, home arena: ShoWare Center)
Spokane Chiefs (WHL, home arena: Spokane Arena)
Tri City Americans (WHL, home arena: Toyota Center)
Portland Winterhawks (WHL, home arenas: Memorial Coliseum, Rose Garden)
Wenatchee
Wild (NAHL, home arena: Town Toyota
Center)
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):
Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Tri City Americans (WHL)
Wenatchee Wild (NAHL)
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.
'Tips host preseason tourney Labor Day weekend
The Everett Silvertips begin pre-season play today by hosting the Holiday Inn Pre-Season Classic at
Comcast Arena. The tournament runs Friday, August 30 through Sunday, September
1 and features the following WHL teams: Seattle Thunderbirds, Tri City Americans,
Portland Winterhawks, Spokane Chiefs and Victoria Royals.
Here’s the schedule:
Friday, August 30:
11:30am Seattle
Thunderbirds vs. Tri City Americans
3:00pm Portland
Winterhawks vs. Spokane Chiefs
7:00pm Everett
Silvertips vs. Victoria Royals
Saturday, August 31:
11:30am Tri City
Americans vs. Portland Winterhawks
3:00pm Seattle
Thunderbirds vs. Victoria Royals
7:00pm Everett
Silvertips vs. Spokane Chiefs
Sunday, September 1:
11:30am Tri City
Americans vs. Victoria Royals
3:00pm Spokane Chiefs
vs. Seattle Thunderbirds
7:00pm Everett
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
Connect with the team on Facebook:
Everett Silvertips Hockey Club
Follow them on Twitter: @WHLSilvertips
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Hockey with Heart
Another example of the tremendous hearts that beat inside hockey players.
Another reminder that we need to find some way to teach our children to respect each other and end the bullying epidemic.
Kudos to Matt Duchene.
Best of luck to Trista and her family ♥
Another reminder that we need to find some way to teach our children to respect each other and end the bullying epidemic.
Kudos to Matt Duchene.
Best of luck to Trista and her family ♥
(Photo: Minden Times)
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Interview with newly reinstated Silvertips Head Coach Kevin Constantine
I had the pleasure of chatting with Kevin Constantine, newly reinstated head coach of the Everett Silvertips and former coach of the following teams:
North Iowa Huskies (USHL)
Rochester Mustangs (USHL)
Kalamazoo Wings (IHL)
Kansas City Blades (IHL)
San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
New Jersey Devils (NHL)
Houston Aeros (AHL)
He had a lot to say about coaching, scouting in Switzerland, how he's changed over the years, and what makes him "one of the lucky guys in the world."
The interview is posted at the KING 5 Sports website, but you can just click here to read it.
WHL teams release 2013-2014 regular season schedules
The WHL's 2013-2014 regular season begins on Thursday, September 19, when the Regina Pats welcome the Swift Current Broncos to the Brandt Center.
Here's the list of games for opening weekend (click on each team to visit its website):
(Note: All times local)
Thursday, September 19:
7:00pm - Swift Current Broncos @ Regina Pats
Friday, September 20:
7:00pm - Calgary Hitmen @ Edmonton Oil Kings
7:00pm - Red Deer Rebels @ Kootenay Ice
7:00pm - Medicine Hat Tigers @ Lethbridge Hurricanes
7:00pm - Brandon Wheat Kings @ Moose Jaw Warriors
7:00pm - Prince Albert Raiders @ Saskatoon Blades
7:00pm - Kelowna Rockets @ Kamloops Blazers
7:00pm - Prince George Cougars @ Portland Winterhawks
7:30pm - Victoria Royals @ Vancouver Giants
Saturday, September 21:
7:30pm - Moose Jaw Warriors @ Brandon Wheat Kings
7:00pm - Saskatoon Blades @ Prince Albert Raiders
7:00pm - Kootenay Ice @ Red Deer Rebels
7:00pm - Regina Pats @ Swift Current Broncos
7:30pm - Lethbridge Hurricanes @ Medicine Hat Tigers
7:05pm - Prince George Cougars @ Everett Silvertips
7:05pm - Kamloops Blazers @ Kelowna Rockets
7:05pm - Portland Winterhawks @ Seattle Thunderbirds
7:05pm - Spokane Chiefs @ Tri-City Americans
7:05pm - Vancouver Giants @ Victoria Royals
Sunday, September 22:
5:05pm - Prince George Cougars @ Tri-City Americans
Thursday, June 13, 2013
A familiar face returns to Silvertips Country!
Silvertips fans are surely rejoicing today, as a familiar face returns to helm the team. Kevin Constantine was re-introduced as Head Coach at a news conference this afternoon. I could go over all of his statistics, but Travis Huntington, the team's radio play by play guy and Director of Broadcasting and Public Relations has already taken the time to do that, so I'll just share his press release here.
I think I join Silvertips Country in saying: WELCOME BACK, COACH! (I just hope he keeps Mitch Love behind the bench with him).
Kevin Constantine, during his time coaching the Houston Aeros (AHL)
(Photo credit: Fred Trask)
Here's the Everett Silvertips' press release:
For Immediate Release:
June 13, 2013
Kevin Constantine Returns to Coach Silvertips
EVERETT
– The Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League today announced
the return of original Silvertips Head Coach Kevin Constantine to the
franchise, where he will resume the role he first held with the club
from 2003 until 2007. Already the winningest Head Coach in franchise
history, Constantine will step back behind the Everett bench this fall
to begin his second stint with the club in 2013-14.
“Looking through the criteria we had identified for our coaching position, Kevin quickly rose to the top of our list of candidates,” said Silvertips General Manager Garry Davidson. “He is a teacher and a developer with plenty of head coaching experience and a proven track record of success at numerous levels, including ours. I believe his work ethic and attention to detail make him the right coach to take us where we want to be over the next few years, and that is contending for championships among the top teams in the WHL.”
Constantine led the Silvertips to four wildly successful seasons during his first tenure in Snohomish County, winning three US Division titles (2004, 2006 and 2007), the 2004 Western Conference Championship and the 2007 WHL regular season title while posting 162 victories for a .613 regular season winning percentage. After his inaugural Silvertips smashed nearly every WHL record for an expansion team on their way to a stirring run to the 2004 WHL Championship series, he was awarded the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as the league’s Coach of the Year.
“My family and I are eager for the opportunity to come back to a team and an area that has been an exciting part of our lives in years past,” Constantine said. “I have such a high comfort level with coming back to this organization, these fans, and this region that it really is a blessing to be able to return to the Silvertips. Hopefully we can have the same type of success we enjoyed the first time around. Of course some things have changed since then, but I don’t think the work you do as a coaching staff is much different. The same process of preparing the players and knowing the league is what will combine to make us successful on the ice.”
Hailing from International Falls, Minnesota, Constantine guided the Silvertips to all seven of the franchise’s playoff series victories over his four seasons. He coached the highest-scoring team in franchise history in 2006-07 and oversaw the four best defensive seasons the club has enjoyed as well. Seven of the eight former Silvertips who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League spent the bulk of their Everett careers under his tutelage.
Before coming to the ‘Tips in 2003, Constantine spent parts of seven seasons in the NHL coaching the San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils. He posted a .515 winning percentage with a 161-150-61-5 record behind the bench and is one of only two coaches to lead two #8 seeds to playoff series victories over #1 seeds. Constantine was the runner-up for the 1994 Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year after engineering the biggest single-season turnaround in NHL history in his first year with San Jose (a 58-point improvement from 1992-93).
In addition to the WHL and NHL, Constantine has coached at a number of other levels during a career spanning nearly 30 years. Starting out in the USHL junior ranks in the mid-1980s, he graduated to the International Hockey League and won both a Turner Cup Championship and the IHL Coach of the Year honor in his first year with the Kansas City Blades in 1992. Since leaving the Silvertips in 2007, he spent three seasons with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League and coached overseas for Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss National League A.
The Silvertips are currently preparing for our 11th year in the WHL in 2013-14. Visit our website throughout the offseason for updates on the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, CHL Import Draft and much more! For more information call 425-252-5100. To keep up with all the latest ‘Tips news, “like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter .
“Looking through the criteria we had identified for our coaching position, Kevin quickly rose to the top of our list of candidates,” said Silvertips General Manager Garry Davidson. “He is a teacher and a developer with plenty of head coaching experience and a proven track record of success at numerous levels, including ours. I believe his work ethic and attention to detail make him the right coach to take us where we want to be over the next few years, and that is contending for championships among the top teams in the WHL.”
Constantine led the Silvertips to four wildly successful seasons during his first tenure in Snohomish County, winning three US Division titles (2004, 2006 and 2007), the 2004 Western Conference Championship and the 2007 WHL regular season title while posting 162 victories for a .613 regular season winning percentage. After his inaugural Silvertips smashed nearly every WHL record for an expansion team on their way to a stirring run to the 2004 WHL Championship series, he was awarded the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as the league’s Coach of the Year.
“My family and I are eager for the opportunity to come back to a team and an area that has been an exciting part of our lives in years past,” Constantine said. “I have such a high comfort level with coming back to this organization, these fans, and this region that it really is a blessing to be able to return to the Silvertips. Hopefully we can have the same type of success we enjoyed the first time around. Of course some things have changed since then, but I don’t think the work you do as a coaching staff is much different. The same process of preparing the players and knowing the league is what will combine to make us successful on the ice.”
Hailing from International Falls, Minnesota, Constantine guided the Silvertips to all seven of the franchise’s playoff series victories over his four seasons. He coached the highest-scoring team in franchise history in 2006-07 and oversaw the four best defensive seasons the club has enjoyed as well. Seven of the eight former Silvertips who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League spent the bulk of their Everett careers under his tutelage.
Before coming to the ‘Tips in 2003, Constantine spent parts of seven seasons in the NHL coaching the San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils. He posted a .515 winning percentage with a 161-150-61-5 record behind the bench and is one of only two coaches to lead two #8 seeds to playoff series victories over #1 seeds. Constantine was the runner-up for the 1994 Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year after engineering the biggest single-season turnaround in NHL history in his first year with San Jose (a 58-point improvement from 1992-93).
In addition to the WHL and NHL, Constantine has coached at a number of other levels during a career spanning nearly 30 years. Starting out in the USHL junior ranks in the mid-1980s, he graduated to the International Hockey League and won both a Turner Cup Championship and the IHL Coach of the Year honor in his first year with the Kansas City Blades in 1992. Since leaving the Silvertips in 2007, he spent three seasons with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League and coached overseas for Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss National League A.
The Silvertips are currently preparing for our 11th year in the WHL in 2013-14. Visit our website throughout the offseason for updates on the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, CHL Import Draft and much more! For more information call 425-252-5100. To keep up with all the latest ‘Tips news, “like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter .
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Most Amazing Goal
This is the most amazing goal you'll ever see.
I dare you to watch... and not be touched.
Some background notes about this video, provided by Dale Lowe on his blog.
"I'm writing this from a hotel room in Kitchener, the host city for
this year's Special Hockey International tournament. I just got to
witness an emotional Opening Ceremony welcoming the 32 teams - - many
from Ontario and the eastern US. There are also 2 teams from the UK
with us this week.The theme of this year's tournament is "Yes I Can". And while I
often talk on the air about how proud I am of our local Kawartha Komets
teams, it's impossible to find words that describe what I get to witness
each week at the rink - - children and young adults alike who are
overcoming physical adversity, neurological challenges and social
issues.
Special needs inhockey is special. This video captured an unstaged moment during A Guelph Giants game last year that embodies the spirit of the game.
I look forward to seeing more of these special moments over the next few days.
Enjoy."
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Former T-Birds & Tips in NHL action today
This is just a quick note to let T-Birds, Tips and other Seattle-area hockey fans know about a few former players on several NHL game rosters today (including some who are playing against each other!) Note: All times are Pacific
Noon
Ottawa Senators (Jim O'Brien, T-Birds) vs. New York Islanders (Thomas Hickey, T-Birds)
Dallas Stars (Brenden Dillon, T-Birds) vs. St. Louis Blues (TJ Oshie, Seattle Jr. Totems)
(This game is on NBC Sports Network)
Colorado Avalance (Calvin Pickard, T-Birds <on emergency callup>) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (Note: former Silvertip Ryan Murray is on this team, but is injured)
3:00pm
Florida Panthers (Peter Mueller, Tips) vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Noon
Ottawa Senators (Jim O'Brien, T-Birds) vs. New York Islanders (Thomas Hickey, T-Birds)
Dallas Stars (Brenden Dillon, T-Birds) vs. St. Louis Blues (TJ Oshie, Seattle Jr. Totems)
(This game is on NBC Sports Network)
Colorado Avalance (Calvin Pickard, T-Birds <on emergency callup>) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (Note: former Silvertip Ryan Murray is on this team, but is injured)
3:00pm
Florida Panthers (Peter Mueller, Tips) vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Former T-Birds breaking into NHL ranks
I love watching players I've seen hone their skills here in the WHL make their mark in the bigs, especially two former Seattle Thunderbirds defensemen who have taken two very different roads to the NHL.
Thomas Hickey was drafted #4 overall in 2007 by the LA Kings, then spent three years making his mark with the Kings' AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs. Shoulder surgery held him back one season. He made the AHL All Star team another season. But after signing Thomas to a one year extension, LA placed him on waivers this season. The New York Islanders snatched him up and placed him on their roster. He hasn't had too much ice time, but Head Coach Jack Capuano seems pleased with Thomas' cool head, great vision and smarts. To cap things off, he scored his first NHL career goal, scoring the OT winner against the Montreal Canadiens on February 21. (Read about it by clicking here).
A number of Isles fans/writers thought once Lubomir Visnovsky returned to the lineup, Thomas would be sent to AHL Bridgeport, but he's still in the lineup - and still getting ice time.
I've been teased because it's no secret he's my favorite Seattle Thunderbirds player. I admire his work ethic, his strong skating skills and his perseverance - showing everyone that smarts can help make up for (lack of) size. He also happens to be a heck of a nice guy, or at least, he's been extremely nice and very intelligent the several times I've interviewed him over the past several years. There are many other Thomas Hickey fans among the T-Birds crowd - and we'll continue cheering for him to succeed.
The other former d-man making his mark is Brenden Dillon, who played with the T-Birds from 2007-2011. Brenden did not get drafted, but his work ethic during this final year with Seattle helped him stand out in the d-corps, catching the eye of several NHL teams, including the Dallas Stars. A successful training camp followed and Brenden found himself honing his skills with the AHL Texas Stars in Austin. Just one year later, he's in the Dallas lineup, using his size and skill to their best advantage. Brenden scored his first NHL goal on February 1 versus the Phoenix Coyotes. He also had his first assist and a fight, giving him a Gordie Howe Hat Trick. (Interesting note: Brenden's first WHL goal at age 17 was also part of a Gordie Howe Hat Trick versus the Portland Winterhawks). Brenden chatted with me about his transition from the WHL to AHL to the NHL. You can read it by clicking here.
Another former T-Bird, forward Jim O'Brien, has been quietly making his mark with the Ottawa Senators. So far this season, Jim has scored 5 goals and contributed to the Sens' somewhat solid showing so far. Click here to read more about Jim.
It's been great watching these guys pursue their NHL dreams. So far, so good.
(NOTE: I did not include former T-Birds Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks) and Brooks Laich (Washington Capitals) because they're already pretty well ensconced in the NHL, but I am well aware of these two stellar alums)
Thomas Hickey was drafted #4 overall in 2007 by the LA Kings, then spent three years making his mark with the Kings' AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs. Shoulder surgery held him back one season. He made the AHL All Star team another season. But after signing Thomas to a one year extension, LA placed him on waivers this season. The New York Islanders snatched him up and placed him on their roster. He hasn't had too much ice time, but Head Coach Jack Capuano seems pleased with Thomas' cool head, great vision and smarts. To cap things off, he scored his first NHL career goal, scoring the OT winner against the Montreal Canadiens on February 21. (Read about it by clicking here).
Thomas Hickey shows off his first NHL goal puck.
(Photo: New York Islanders/Getty)
A number of Isles fans/writers thought once Lubomir Visnovsky returned to the lineup, Thomas would be sent to AHL Bridgeport, but he's still in the lineup - and still getting ice time.
I've been teased because it's no secret he's my favorite Seattle Thunderbirds player. I admire his work ethic, his strong skating skills and his perseverance - showing everyone that smarts can help make up for (lack of) size. He also happens to be a heck of a nice guy, or at least, he's been extremely nice and very intelligent the several times I've interviewed him over the past several years. There are many other Thomas Hickey fans among the T-Birds crowd - and we'll continue cheering for him to succeed.
The other former d-man making his mark is Brenden Dillon, who played with the T-Birds from 2007-2011. Brenden did not get drafted, but his work ethic during this final year with Seattle helped him stand out in the d-corps, catching the eye of several NHL teams, including the Dallas Stars. A successful training camp followed and Brenden found himself honing his skills with the AHL Texas Stars in Austin. Just one year later, he's in the Dallas lineup, using his size and skill to their best advantage. Brenden scored his first NHL goal on February 1 versus the Phoenix Coyotes. He also had his first assist and a fight, giving him a Gordie Howe Hat Trick. (Interesting note: Brenden's first WHL goal at age 17 was also part of a Gordie Howe Hat Trick versus the Portland Winterhawks). Brenden chatted with me about his transition from the WHL to AHL to the NHL. You can read it by clicking here.
Brenden Dillon shows off his first NHL goal puck.
(Photo: Dallas Stars/Getty)
Another former T-Bird, forward Jim O'Brien, has been quietly making his mark with the Ottawa Senators. So far this season, Jim has scored 5 goals and contributed to the Sens' somewhat solid showing so far. Click here to read more about Jim.
Jim O'Brien celebrates a recent goal.
(Photo: Ottawa Senators/Getty)
It's been great watching these guys pursue their NHL dreams. So far, so good.
(NOTE: I did not include former T-Birds Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks) and Brooks Laich (Washington Capitals) because they're already pretty well ensconced in the NHL, but I am well aware of these two stellar alums)
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