Everett at Kamloops scouting report

Everett Silvertips at Kamloops Blazers
Today, 7 p.m., Interior Savings Centre

EVERETT (0-0-0-0): Last season, the Silvertips finished 39-30-0-3 and were
first-round playoff losers, swept by the Spokane Chiefs. . . . C Zack Dailey
is the seventh captain in Silvertips’ history. Dailey, who is from Healy,
Alaska, was an alternate last season. D Jonathan Harty, last season’s
captain, has left for the U of New Brunswick. . . . Everett is without two
players — LW Kyle Beach (Chicago Blackhawks) and D Taylor Ellington
(Vancouver Canucks) — who are in NHL camps. Beach, 18, is likely to return,
while Ellington could be assigned to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. . . . D
Shayne Brown was acquired last week from the Medicine Hat Tigers for D Tyler
Kieffer, 19, who had been sent home after he and RW Jordan Mistelbacher
missed curfew one night during training camp. The Silvertips also sent home
Mistelbacher, 18, but haven’t been able to trade him. . . . Everett’s roster
includes C Paul Van de Velde, 18, who was a third-round pick by the Blazers
in the 2005 bantam draft. He was dropped by Kamloops after last fall’s
training camp. . . . C Tyler Skauge, 18, left the Silvertips last week,
saying he had lost his passion for hockey. A native of Lethbridge, he had
four points in 52 games as a rookie last season. He now is with the AJHL’s
Brooks Bandits. . . . Look for sophomore Shayne Barrie to start in goal. He
backed up Leland Irving last season. Irving, 20, will play in the Calgary
Flames’ organization. . . . Everett was 4-3 in the exhibition season. . . .
Injuries: LW Tyler Parker (ankle, out).
———
KAMLOOPS (0-0-0-0): The Blazers went 5-1 in the exhibition season. Only the
Red Deer Rebels (5-1) and Regina Pats (5-2) had as many victories. . . . Of
course, last season the Blazers were 6-1 in the silly season. . . . Last
season, the Blazers finished 27-41-2-2 and were swept from the first round
by the Tri-City Americans. . . . Veteran G Justin Leclerc gets tonight’s
start with sophomore James Priestner on the bench and freshman Jon
Groenheyde in the press box. . . . RW Brady Calla (Florida Panthers), D Nick
Ross and RW Tyler Shattock (San Jose Sharks) remain in NHL camps. Calla, who
has signed an NHL contract, is expected to open the season with the AHL’s
Rochester Americans if he doesn’t make the Panthers. . . . C Mark Hall
(knee) has yet to have surgery. He isn’t expected to play this season. . . .
Last season, the Blazers were 1-1-2-0 against Everett, which means the
Silvertips were 3-1-0-0 against Kamloops. Over the last five seasons, the
Blazers are 10-9-2-0 versus Everett, with the Silvertips holding an
11-10-0-0 record. Only in the WHL could both teams be over .500. . . .
Injuries: C Mark Hall (knee, out).

— GREGG DRINNAN