YEAR BY YEAR RECORDS
RYAN MURRAY’S WHL DEBUT Displaying poise, sound decision making skills and an ability to keep the game simple, Silvertips defenseman Ryan Murray’s debut season in the Western Hockey League was one to behold. In just 52 games, the 16-year-old racked up 27 points and a +33 rating while laying down the groundwork for a terrific junior career. A gifted passer, Murray found seams in the opponents’ defense while manning the point on the powerplay. His teamwork with Radko Gudas on the back end, including his terrific ability in the corners, helped make the Silvertips the WHL’s stingiest defensive team. All these abilities were on the shoulders of a steady, focused, young defenseman who continued to make a name for himself internationally. After his appearance at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, he served as the youngest player on Team Canada at both the World U-18 Championships and the U-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, a team he captained to the Gold Medal. JAY VARADY’S GOLD MEDAL WITH USA HOCKEY The Silvertips coaching staff made another addition to its trophy cabinet when Jay Varady served as Team USA’s Video Coordinator at the 2010 World Junior Championships, winning a Gold Medal with the USA’s thrilling 6-5 overtime victory over Canada. The Silvertips learned of the game’s outcome during warm-ups prior to a game at Kamloops, providing bragging rights for the Americans on the bus ride to Kelowna following the win. At lunch in the team hotel in Kelowna the next day, Varady rejoined the Silvertips to a standing ovation, walked over to Team Captain Zack Dailey, and put the medal around his neck. Along with Craig Hartsburg, who owns two Gold Medals as Canada’s Head Coach at the World Juniors, the Everett coaching staff continued to make a name for itself internationally. Varady was summoned again as an Assistant Coach for Team USA at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, where he won a Silver Medal following a tense 1-0 loss to Canada in the Championship game. Assistant Coach Chris Hartsburg also represented USA Hockey in 2010 as a coach at the Select 15 Festival in Rochester, NY. NET GAINS Not all Western Hockey League teams had a reliable goaltender in 2009-10. The Silvertips had two. Thomas Heemskerk and Kent Simpson proved to be the WHL’s strongest goaltending duo, combining for a 2.30 goals against average, .926 saves percentage and five shutouts while splitting time nearly evenly. Heemskerk led the league in saves percentage (.927), while Simpson finished second in GAA and SV%. Key saves were mainstays on highlight reels throughout the season – Heemskerk’s saves against Jace Coyle on the doorstep in Medicine Hat and against Ryan Howse in a game at Chilliwack were moments that maintained their legacy long after the season ended. With Heemskerk signing an NHL contract with the San Jose Sharks, Simpson was set to take over as the heir apparent to the Everett crease in 2010-11 and continue the Silvertips tradition of reliability in net. SIMPSON, GUDAS, THERIAU SELECTED IN NHL DRAFT June 26, 2010 proved to be a memorable day in Silvertip history as the team produced three selections at the NHL Draft. Goaltender Kent Simpson (2nd round / 58th overall) was taken by the Chicago Blackhawks, defenseman Radko Gudas (3rd round / 66th overall) was taken by the Tampa Bay Lightning, and defenseman Alex Theriau (4th round / 109th overall) was selected by the Dallas Stars. Each promptly attended a summer development camp with their new parent club, which for Gudas concluded with an NHL contract. THANK YOU ZACK, SHANE AND CHRIS Composure, leadership and camaraderie were enhanced by the three overagers on the Silvertips roster in 2009-10: Chris Langkow, Shane Harper and Zack Dailey. Joining the Silvertips at the start of the season, Langkow seemed to be a perfect fit in a leadership role alongside Harper and Dailey: intelligent, accountable and a hard-worker, he joined the Silvertips seamlessly and immediately became a respected figure in the locker room. Harper - the elite scorer of the three - became the Silvertips’ all-time leader in games played and goals scored, while Dailey enhanced his legacy in a Silvertip uniform with his leadership and strong defensive play. When the three combined to form “the 20-year-olds line” in early January, they set off a 14-game winning streak in which they combined for 45 points. From all corners of Silvertip Country, we wish a hearty thank you to Zack, Shane and Chris.