Everett Silvertips

The city of Everett, with plans to build a new downtown arena complex, applied for a WHL franchise and was awarded conditional approval for an expansion franchise from the league in 2001.{{cite news |date=September 19, 2001 |title=Everett gets WHL approval for team |page=D9 |work=The Seattle Times |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/134343415_regr19.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010919100005/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/134343415_regr19.html |archive-date=September 19, 2001 |access-date=March 25, 2017}} With the new team falling within the territorial rights of the Seattle Thunderbirds, Seattle ownership was given right of first refusal to purchase the new team; Bill Yuill decided to sell the Thunderbirds in order to take over the new expansion club.{{Cite news |last=Geleynse |first=Jesse |date=March 2, 2016 |title=Gamble to buy team has paid off for Silvertips owner Yuill |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/gamble-to-buy-team-has-paid-off-for-silvertips-owner-yuill/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518181449/https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/gamble-to-buy-team-has-paid-off-for-silvertips-owner-yuill/ |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=Everett Herald}}{{Cite news |last=Wade |first=Susan |date=April 20, 2002 |title=Yuill signs Everett lease; T-birds owner will sell team to buy new WHL franchise |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20020420/everetthockey20/yuill-signs-everett-lease-t-birds-owner-will-sell-team-to-buy-new-whl-franchise |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223559/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20020420&slug=everetthockey20 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times}} The new multi-million dollar complex, the Everett Events Centre, was completed ahead of the team's inaugural season, offering a seating capacity of 8,200.{{cite news |last=Wade |first=Susan |date=November 22, 2002 |title=It's official: Everett's hockey team will be called Silvertips |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20021122/everett22/its-official-everetts-hockey-team-will-be-called-silvertips |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327080324/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20021122&slug=everett22 |archive-date=March 27, 2017 |access-date=March 25, 2017 |work=The Seattle Times |page=D3}} In 2003, the team hired former National Hockey League coach Kevin Constantine to be its first head coach.{{Cite news |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=October 2, 2003 |title=Silvertips’ coaches have a history of success |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/silvertips-coaches-have-a-history-of-success/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518185726/https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/silvertips-coaches-have-a-history-of-success/ |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=Everett Herald}}

Beginning play in the 2003–04 season with a roster built through an expansion draft, the Silvertips rapidly established themselves as the best expansion team in league history. By January, Everett posted its 19th win of the season, breaking the previous expansion record of 18 wins posted by the 1995–96 Calgary Hitmen.{{Cite news |date=January 11, 2004 |title=Silvertips most successful WHL expansion team ever |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/silvertips-most-successful-whl-expansion-team-ever/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518190609/https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/silvertips-most-successful-whl-expansion-team-ever/ |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=Everett Herald}} The team would go on to win 35 games and finish atop the U.S. Division standings. In the playoffs, the Silvertips advanced all the way to the league final, upsetting the defending champion and heavily-favored Kelowna Rockets in the Western Conference final, with defender Mitch Love opening the series with an overtime goal.{{Cite news |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=May 4, 2018 |title=This Silvertips coach has been here for both WHL title bids |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/tips-coach-is-bridge-between-everetts-2-whl-championship-series-appearances/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329044356/https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/tips-coach-is-bridge-between-everetts-2-whl-championship-series-appearances/ |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=Everett Herald}} The team faced the Medicine Hat Tigers in the championship series, losing four straight games to fall short of the title. By the end of the year, the Silvertips, who earned a reputation as a disciplined defensive team, had set new records for an expansion team in every category. Constantine was named the league's coach-of-the-year.{{Cite news |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=October 6, 2023 |title=Ex-Silvertips coach stepped over line, ruined WHL legacy |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/patterson-ex-silvertips-coach-stepped-over-line-ruined-whl-legacy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408135928/https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/patterson-ex-silvertips-coach-stepped-over-line-ruined-whl-legacy/ |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=Everett Herald}}

Three seasons later, the Silvertips won the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy for the best regular season record after its 54-win, 111-point season, before losing in the second round of the playoffs.{{Cite news |last=Riley |first=Jim |date=April 18, 2007 |title=Silvertips' best not good enough |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/silvertips-best-not-good-enough/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518192448/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/silvertips-best-not-good-enough/ |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times}} That season, the team's first ever bantam draft selection, Zach Hamill, became the first Silvertip to lead the WHL in scoring.{{Cite news |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=March 19, 2018 |title=Who are the top 15 Everett Silvertips of all-time? |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/who-are-the-top-15-everett-silvertips-of-all-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813082453/https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/who-are-the-top-15-everett-silvertips-of-all-time/ |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=Everett Herald}}

The team's success on the ice translated into fan support, and the Silvertips earned a reputation for drawing strong crowds—more than a decade into the team's history, the Silvertips were in the top half of the league in attendance.{{Cite news |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=March 29, 2019 |title=With NHL's arrival looming, Seattle Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips in local junior hockey golden era |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/hockey/seattle-thunderbirds-everett-silvertips-playoff-success-continues-golden-era-for-local-junior-hockey/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330142116/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/hockey/seattle-thunderbirds-everett-silvertips-playoff-success-continues-golden-era-for-local-junior-hockey/ |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times}}

File:Everett Silvertips vs. Portland at Angel of the Winds Arena, March 2023.jpg at Angel of the Winds Arena in March 2023.]]

Everett established itself as a perennial playoff team, and in 2017–18, led by goaltender Carter Hart and coach Dennis Williams, the Silvertips made a second run to the league championship series.{{Cite news |last=Geleynse |first=Jesse |date=May 14, 2018 |title=Silvertips’ historic season comes to an end |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/silvertips-historic-season-comes-to-an-end/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924062640/https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/silvertips-historic-season-comes-to-an-end/ |archive-date=September 24, 2021 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=Everett Herald}} After a 47-win season, the team's best since 2007, Everett faced the Swift Current Broncos in the playoff finals, ultimately losing the series in six games.{{Cite news |date=May 14, 2018 |title=Swift Current wins WHL title, moves on to Memorial Cup |url=https://www.tsn.ca/whl-roundup-skinner-blanks-silvertips-as-broncos-advance-to-memorial-cup-1.1085211 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518193529/https://www.tsn.ca/whl-roundup-skinner-blanks-silvertips-as-broncos-advance-to-memorial-cup-1.1085211 |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=The Sports Network |agency=The Canadian Press}} Hart's dominant season—he was named the league's best player, on top of being named its best goaltender for a third straight season{{Cite news |date=May 2, 2018 |title=Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips earns WHL MVP, goaltending awards |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/carter-hart-everett-silvertips-earns-whl-mvp-goaltending-awards/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813144255/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/carter-hart-everett-silvertips-earns-whl-mvp-goaltending-awards/ |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=Sportsnet |agency=Canadian Press}}—added to the team's historic reputation for exceptional goaltending.{{Cite news |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=December 2, 2018 |title=Quality goalies have been a constant in Silvertips history |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/quality-goalies-have-been-a-constant-in-silvertips-history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203144256/https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/quality-goalies-have-been-a-constant-in-silvertips-history/ |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=Everett Herald}} After Hart turned professional, Dustin Wolf was named top goaltender two years in a row.{{Cite news |last=Salvian |first=Hailey |date=September 29, 2021 |title=Flames’ Dustin Wolf is a winner, but is he too small to play goalie in the NHL?: ‘Nothing is stopping him’ |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2857071/2021/09/29/flames-dustin-wolf-is-a-winner-but-is-he-too-small-to-play-goalie-in-the-nhl-nothing-is-stopping-him/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310091135/https://theathletic.com/2857071/2021/09/29/flames-dustin-wolf-is-a-winner-but-is-he-too-small-to-play-goalie-in-the-nhl-nothing-is-stopping-him/ |archive-date=March 10, 2024 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=The Athletic}}

Ahead of the 2024 playoffs, it was announced that long-time coach and manager Williams would be leaving the Silvertips after the season.{{Cite news |last=Ewen |first=Steve |date=March 27, 2024 |title=Everett Silvertips coaching news adds twist to playoff series with Vancouver Giants |url=https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/junior-hockey/everett-silvertips-playoff-series-vancouver-giants |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518174438/https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/junior-hockey/everett-silvertips-playoff-series-vancouver-giants |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=The Province}}

The Silvertips have formed an enduring rivalry with the nearby Seattle Thunderbirds. The teams have met regularly in the playoffs, including a three-year stretch between 2016 and 2018 where the winner of the series between the two made it all the way to the championship series.

File:EVERETT_TB_G.jpgThe team adopted the "Silvertips" name after the grizzly bears of the Pacific Northwest. The team opted for a green and silver color-scheme. Ahead of their inaugural season, the team introduced a bear mascot, Lincoln, named after the aircraft carrier {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}}, which was stationed at Naval Station Everett at the time.{{cite web |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=December 9, 2010 |title=Lincoln to remain Silvertips’ mascot |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/lincoln-to-remain-silvertips-mascot/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307082647/https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/lincoln-to-remain-silvertips-mascot/ |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |access-date=November 14, 2019 |website=Everett Herald}}

File:Manraj Hayer playing hockey.jpg

File:US Navy 081101-N-9898L-063 Capt. Patrick Hall, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), drops the ceremonial puck before a local hockey game.jpg

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

{{unsourced-section|date=August 2024}}

• Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy (2): 2006–07, 2024–25
• Conference Champions (2): 2003–04, 2017–18
• Regular season Division titles (10): 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2024–25

WHL Championship series results:

• 2003–04: Loss, 0–4 vs Medicine Hat Tigers
• 2017–18: Loss, 2–4 vs Swift Current Broncos

List of Silvertips players selected in the first round of the NHL entry draft.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

List of Silvertips who went on to play in the NHL:{{cite web |title=Silvertips Alumni In The NHL |url=http://everettsilvertips.com/nhl_alumni |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406105357/http://everettsilvertips.com/nhl_alumni |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |website=Everett Silvertips |language=en-US}}

{{Div col|colwidth=10em}}

• Riley Armstrong
• Ivan Baranka
• Jake Christiansen
• Connor Dewar
• Landon Ferraro
• Byron Froese
• Gage Goncalves
• Radko Gudas
• Zach Hamill
• Shane Harper
• Carter Hart
• Shaun Heshka
• Leland Irving
• Noah Juulsen
• Jujhar Khaira
• Bryce Kindopp
• Mirco Mueller
• Peter Mueller
• Ryan Murray
• Garrett Pilon
• Rasmus Rissanen
• Nikita Scherbak
• Kent Simpson
• Mike Wall
• Dustin Wolf
• Olen Zellweger

{{Div col end}}

Players who have had their numbers retired by the Silvertips:

{{unsourced-section|date=August 2024}}

• Four Broncos Memorial Trophy
• Carter Hart: 2017–18
• Bob Clarke Trophy (WHL top scorer)
• Zach Hamill: 2006–07
• Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy (WHL scholastic player of the year)
• Brian King: 2016–17
• Dustin Wolf: 2018–19
• Del Wilson Trophy (WHL goaltender of the year)
• Carter Hart: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
• Dustin Wolf: 2019–20, 2020–21
• Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL rookie of the year)
• Peter Mueller: 2005–06
• Kyle Beach: 2006–07
• Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (WHL coach of the year)
• Kevin Constantine: 2003–04

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://chl.ca/whl-silvertips/}}

{{Everett Silvertips}}

{{Everett, Washington}}

{{WHL}}

{{Seattle Sports}}

{{Washington Sports}}

Category:2003 establishments in Washington (state)

Category:Amateur ice hockey teams in Washington (state)

Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 2003

Category:Sports in Everett, Washington

Category:Western Hockey League teams