Everett Silvertips The Everett Silvertips are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League ( WHL ) that plays in Everett , Washington . They joined the league as an expansion team for the 2003 – 04 WHL season . The team name comes from the silvertip bear . The team plays at the Comcast Arena at Everett , a $ 71 . 5 million dollar multipurpose complex built in 2003 that seats 8 , 300 ( or 8 , 513 with standing room only seats included ) for hockey games . History . Immediate success . During the Silvertips ' inaugural season in the U . S . Division of the WHL , the team solidified its place as one of the greatest expansion hockey teams in history after breaking a minimum of 10 junior hockey records for an expansion team in its first year . Under the direction of General Manager Doug Soetaert and Head Coach Kevin Constantine , the team won the U . S . Division title with a record of 35 – 26 – 8 – 2 , while setting a record for a first year team in any of the major junior hockey leagues ( the OHL , QMJHL , and WHL ) by earning 80 points in the regular season standings , eclipsing the old record set by the 1982 - 1983 Longueuil Chevaliers of the QMJHL . Constantine received the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy from the league as the 2003 – 2004 Coach of the Year . In the 2004 playoffs , the Silvertips swept the Spokane Chiefs 4 – 0 in the First Round before defeating the Vancouver Giants 4 - 2 in the Western Conference Semi - Finals . The team then played the Kelowna Rockets , the regular season champions and reigning WHL champions , for the Western Conference title . After falling behind in the series 3 - 1 , the Silvertips improbably won three straight games in overtime to win its first Western Conference title , earning the chance to play the Medicine Hat Tigers for the WHL championship . The Tigers would go on to sweep the series 4 – 0 , marking an end to the Silvertips ' stellar first season . 2004 – 2005 season . Fresh off the success of its successful inaugural season , the 2004 – 2005 team was the youngest in the league . At one time , the team had a minimum of eight 16 - year old rookies on the active game - day roster . With such youth and inexperience , the team was projected to falter but still managed to make the playoffs for a second consecutive season . After defeating the Portland Winter Hawks in seven games during a tough first - round playoff series , the Silvertips finished their second season in the WHL on a tough note by being swept by the Kootenay Ice 4 - 0 in the Western Conference Semi - Finals . 2005 – 2006 season . The 2005 – 2006 season marked the second time the team had won the U . S . Division title , in only its third season of existence . After defeating the Tri - City Americans 4 - 1 in the First Round of the WHL playoffs , and the Kelowna Rockets 4 - 2 in the Western Conference Semi - Finals , the Silvertips ' playoff run came to an end when the Silvertips were swept by the Vancouver Giants 4 - 0 in the Western Conference Finals . However , the Silvertips once again exceeded expectations by reaching the final four of the WHL Playoffs for the second time in only three seasons of existence . Silvertips forward Peter Mueller won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for top rookie in the league , becoming to the first Silvertips player to win that award . 2006 – 2007 season . The 2006 – 2007 season was one of the team ' s most successful to date . The team entered the season as the pre - season # 1 team in the Canadian Hockey League ( CHL ) " Top Ten " Rankings . The team remained on the CHL " Top Ten " Rankings list the entire regular season , being selected # 1 overall for 13 of the 25 weeks the rankings were selected , never falling lower than # 5 . The team captured its third U . S . Division title in only four seasons of existence . The team was also awarded the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy for having the best record in the WHL during the regular season , posting a record of 54 – 15 – 1 – 2 ( 111 points ) . Silvertips forward Zach Hamill became the first Everett Silvertip to lead the WHL in points with 32 goals and 61 assists for 93 points , winning the Bob Clarke Trophy . Silvertips forward Kyle Beach won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for top rookie in the league . After defeating the Spokane Chiefs 4 - 2 in the First Round of the WHL playoffs , the Silvertips ' playoff run came to an abrupt end when the Prince George Cougars defeated the Silvertips 4 - 2 during the Western Conference Semi - Finals after the Silvertips led the series 2 - 0 . 2007 – 2008 season . The 2007 - 2008 season began a transition period for the franchise . Constantine left during the preceding offseason to become Head Coach of the Houston Aeros AHL team . Assistant Head Coach John Becanic became Head Coach , with Jay Varady promoted to Becanic ' s former position . Six of the team ' s 10 leading scorers from the 06 - 07 season , as well as the backup goaltender , left the team early in the season , mostly through trades and graduation from the WHL . These departures included Peter Mueller , who joined the Phoenix Coyotes NHL team full - time . The transition from Constantine ' s defensive - centered coaching style to Becanic ' s coaching style for the returning players , and the team struggled at times during the season . The Silvertips ended the regular season fourth in the U . S . Division and sixth in the Western Conference . The team was swept by the Spokane Chiefs , the eventual Memorial Cup Champions , 4 - 0 in the First Round of the WHL playoffs . This marked the first time the Silvertips lost in the First Round of the WHL playoffs but kept alive the team ' s ominous history of losing four straight games to be ousted from a playoff round . 2008 – 2009 season . The 2008 - 2009 season was one that began with low expectations . NHL - drafted players such as Zach Hamill , Leland Irving , and Dan Gendur - - as well as 2007 - 08 Team Captain Jonathan Harty - - left the team . Finding sufficient scoring , defense , and goaltending was in doubt . Graham Potuer and Taylor Ellington were the only remaining players from the team ' s very good crop of players taken in the 1988 - born WHL Bantam Draft that had marked the team ' s success during the previous three seasons . The team had its youngest roster in franchise history . Fortunately , just as rookies helped salvage the franchise ' s 2004 - 05 season , rookies helped salvage a potentially disastrous 2008 - 09 season . The most successful example of this might be the emergence of rookie Forwards Kellan Tochkin , Byron Froese , and Tyler Maxwell , nicknamed the " Kid Line " . The three players combined for 177 points , making it one of the most successful rookie lines in WHL history . The trio was led by Tochkin , whose 74 points in 72 games led the team , as well as all WHL rookies , in scoring . In addition to the " Kid Line " , rookie 16 - year old goaltender Kent Simpson also exceeded expectations , and was later assisted by acquired goaltender Thomas Heemskerk . The team record was above . 500 for the first half of the season , but the roster ' s young and inexperience caught up in the second half of the season . The team ended its regular season with a 27 - 36 - 7 - 2 record , the first losing record in the franchise ' s history . However , if the emergence and success of the team ' s rookies had not occurred , the team ' s record would have likely been much worse . The Silvertips ended the regular season fourth in the U . S . Division and seventh in the Western Conference . The team lost to the Tri - City Americans , the two - time U . S . Division Champions , 4 - 1 in the First Round of the WHL playoffs . This marked the first time the Silvertips had been ousted from the playoffs without losing four straight games . Shortly after the 2008 - 09 season ended , Head Coach John Becanic was fired . Several months later , GM Doug Soetaert announced the hiring of former NHL and OHL coach Craig Hartsburg as the team ' s new Head Coach , marking the beginning of a new era for the franchise . 2009 – 2010 season . The 2009 – 10 season began slowly for Everett . After much inconsistency early on , the emergence of the " DHL " Line of captain Zack Dailey , leading scorer Shane Harper , and overage acquisition Chris Langkow , along with the top defensive pairing of rookie sensation Ryan Murray and import Radko Gudas , led to a team - record 14 consecutive wins during the month of January . The " Kid Line " from the previous year continued to improve and the trio of Daniel Iwanski , Clayton Cumiskey and Scott MacDonald provided depth as a solid checking line . The team also benefited from having the top goaltending tandem in the WHL in Thomas Heemskerk and Kent Simpson . Harper finished the year as the club ' s career goal leader with his 100th WHL goal . The second - half hot streak led to the Silvertips tying Tri - City for the top record in the Western Conference , with a chance to beat out the Americans in the season ' s final game at the Spokane Chiefs . However , the Chiefs beat the ' Tips 3 – 2 , dropping Everett to the third seed to face - off against the defending WHL champion Kelowna Rockets . The bigger and more physical Rockets wore down the ' Tips throughout the seven - game series , with Gudas missing several games due to injury . Kelowna held off Everett in double - overtime in Game 6 , and finished the upset with a 2 – 1 win in Game 7 , bringing a disappointing end to a surprising season for the Silvertips . 2010 – 11 season . The 2010 – 11 Silvertips entered the season with high expectations following the previous season ' s strong second half , and with the acquisition of new captain Landon Ferraro from the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for Byron Froese . Everett also acquired centre Parker Stanfield from the Prince George Cougars and defencemen Brennan Yadlowski and Chad Suer from the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Moose Jaw Warriors , respectively . Josh Birkholz and Cody Fowlie contributed as newcoming forwards . However , the team never gelled and was beset by a myriad of injuries all season long . Head Coach Craig Hartsburg missed most of the first half of the season following heart surgery and was replaced on an interim basis by Associate Coach Jay Varady . One of the few bright spots was left winger Tyler Maxwell breaking the club record with 41 goals in the season . The team generally underachieved throughout the season amidst dwindling fan attendance , and barely sneaked into the playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference . The Silvertips then were no match for the Portland Winterhawks , and were swept out of the first round . After the 2010 – 11 season , Hartsburg stepped down from the coaching position to pursue a coaching career with the NHL ' s Calgary Flames , as the team set about rebuilding for the first time in their short history . 2011 – 12 season . Prior to the 2011 – 12 season , Mark Ferner was hired by General Manager Doug Soetart to be Everett ' s head coach following four successive years as the head coach of the British Columbia Hockey League ( BCHL ) ' s Vernon Vipers . The team began somewhat of a youth movement by parting with several veterans . Former NCAA player Josh Birkholz led the team in scoring , forward Ryan Harrison provided toughness and leadership and defenseman Ryan Murray continued his remarkable development by being named the youngest team captain in Silvertips history . Murray was selected second overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets following the season . Eighteen - year - old forwards Joshua Winquist and Manraj Hayer showed some scoring touch , and enforcers Josh Caron and Reid Petryk were acquired to help protect the youngsters . Goaltender Kent Simpson was being pushed for playing time by impressive rookie Austin Lotz . The team struggled throughout the first half , however , winning only five games through the end of December and bottoming out with a ten - game losing streak . General Manager Doug Soetart was fired on February 2 , 2012 , and later sued the team for unpaid wages . Soetart was eventually replaced by Portland Winterhawks Assistant General Manager Garry Davidson . However , the team improved in the second half , led by strong goaltending from Kent Simpson and the top - scoring line of Harrison , rookie Kohl Bauml and Fowlie . After a late - season hot streak , Everett found itself in position to clinch a playoff berth in the final game of the season , on the road against the Seattle Thunderbirds . A hard - fought 6 – 4 victory in Kent by the Silvertips set up a first - round playoff matchup against the top - seeded Tri - City Americans . The young ' Tips fought mightily , but were overmatched by the much stronger Tri - City team , culminating in a sweep after a heartbreaking 4 – 3 overtime loss in Game 4 . 2012 – 13 season . The Silvertips opened their tenth season with a very young roster that included 16 - year - old forwards Ty Mappin , Dawson Leedahl and highly elite Tyler Sandhu , along with 17 - year - old Carson Stadnyk , playing key roles . Captain Ryan Murray was lost for the season with a shoulder injury , and Swiss rookie Mirco Mueller emerged as the team ' s top defenceman . Goaltender Austin Lotz struggled early and had to battle for playing time with early - season pickup Daniel Cotton . Midway through the season , Head Coach Mark Ferner and Assistant Coach Chris Hartsburg were fired , and General Manager Garry Davidson assumed the head coach position on an interim basis for the remainder of the season . Injuries to several of the veteran forwards contributed to an up - and - down season , again leaving Everett in eighth place in the final Conference standings . In the playoffs , the Silvertips found themselves facing the Portland Winterhawks , who were the top seed in the West and who had spent the entire season at or near the top of the CHL rankings . The Winterhawks were almost universally expected to sweep the series against the Silvertips with little effort ; however , the Silvertips defied all expectations by winning two games in Portland before falling four games to two . While the series loss continued Everett ' s streak of being eliminated from the playoffs in the first round , in qualifying for post - season play the team maintained its streak of appearing in the playoffs in every year of its existence . 2013 – 14 season . The Silvertips set out to improve upon the previous years ' mediocrity , along with increasing fan frustration , by guaranteeing a sixth - place or better finish in the Western Conference standings . With Joshua Winquist , Manny Hayer and Juhjar Khaira leading a veteran , but top - heavy , forward corps , and a revamped defence headed by new captain Matt Pufahl , the ' Tips stormed out of the gate with a 20 – 4 – 4 start . The early - season highlight was a 3 – 2 win over the League powerhouse Portland Winterhawks . Everett had the best record in the WHL entering the month of December , when several incidents of player misconduct at a concert and subsequent team event derailed a promising season . The team struggled immensely for the next two months , culminating in two players getting kicked off of the team . Eventually , the ' Tips emerged back on track and stormed down the stretch with big wins over the Kelowna Rockets and in Spokane against the Chiefs , breaking a long losing streak in Spokane Arena . A big factor late in the season was the line of Brayden Low , Remi Laurencelle and Logan Aasman dominating possession of the puck while on the ice . Everett reached the playoffs where they faced the rival Seattle Thunderbirds . They were even favoured by many pundits in the series , albeit as the lower - seeded team . However , Seattle played an extremely physical series and wore the ' Tips down . Everett eventually lost the series four games to one , with the only win coming while Seattle enforcer Jaimien Yakubowski was suspended for Game 4 . 2014 – 15 season . Everett ' s current protected list is as follows : Logan Aasman , F , 1995 , Medicine Hat , AB Matt Anderson , D , 1999 , Shakoppe , MN Ryan Anderson , F , 1999 , Edmonton , AB Alex Astasiewicz , D , 1998 , Salmon Arm , BC Patrick Bajkov , F , 1997 , Nanaimo , BC Justin Baudry , D , 1996 , LaBroquerie , MB ( NCAA - Bemidji State ) Kohl Bauml , F , 1994 , Saskatoon , SK Blake Bergquist , F , 1999 , Duluth , MN Ben Betker , D , 1994 , Cranbrook , BC Josh Blanchard , F , 1996 , Kelowna , BC ( NCAA - St . Cloud State ) Jake Christiansen , D , 1999 , West Vancouver , BC Cole Chorney , F , 1996 , Leduc , AB Kevin Davis , D , 1997 , Kamloops , BC Connor Dewar , F , 1999 , Gilbert Plains , MB Carson Dimoff , F , 1999 , Scottsdale , AZ Matt Fonteyne , F , 1997 , Wetaskiwin , AB Andrew Fyten , F , 1998 , Didsbury , AB Spencer Gerth , F , 1998 , Langley , BC Alex Gillies , F , 1995 , Vernon , BC ( NCAA - Michigan Tech ) Carter Hart , G , 1998 , Sherwood Park , AB Nick Henry , F , 1999 , Portage la Prairie , AB Reid Hill , D , 1999 , Duluth , MN Kevin Jakisch , D , 1998 , Winnipeg , MB Tyson Jost , F , 1998 , Leduc , AB Noah Juulsen , D , 1997 , Abbotsford , BC Patrick Khodorenko , 1998 , Walnut Creek , CA Bryce Kindopp , F , 1999 , Lloydminster , AB Brian King , F , 1999 , Golden , CO Nate Knoepke , D , 1999 , Farmington , MN Remi Laurencelle , F , 1995 , Winnipeg , MB Dawson Leedahl , F , 1996 , Saskatoon , SK Jantzen Leslie , D , 1999 , Lloydminster , AB Clint Lewis , D , 1995 , Burnsville , MN ( NCAA - Cornell ) Austin Lotz , G , 1995 , St . Adolphe , MB Brayden Low , F , 1994 , Richmond , BC Cole MacDonald , D , 1995 , Wetaskiwin , AB Nik Malenica , F , 1997 , Nanaimo , BC Auston Matthews , F , 1997 , Scottsdale , AZ Alec Mehr , F , 1997 , Los Angeles , CA Graham Millar , F , 1996 , Penticton , BC Mirco Muller , D , 1995 , Winterthur , Swi Jake Mykitiuk , F , 1995 , St . Albert , AB Ivan Nikolishin , F , 1996 , Moscow , Rus Mario Petit , G , 1997 , Ile - Des - Chenes , MB Tristen Pfeifer , D , 1996 , Phoenix , AZ Dayton Rasmussen , G , 1998 , Eden Prairie , MN Addison Runey , F , 1997 , Frisco , TX Nikita Scherbak , F , 1995 , Moscow , Rus Lucas Skrumeda , D , 1996 , Winnipeg , MB Carson Stadnyk , F , 1995 , Saskatoon , SK Christian Stockl , F , 1995 , Winnipeg , MB Brendan Studioso , F , 1999 , Mukilteo , WA Riley Sutter , F , 1999 , Calgary , AB Gunnar Wegleitner , F , 1998 , Vancouver , BC Jordan Wharrie , D , 1997 , Port Moody , BC Wyatte Wylie , D , 1999 , Lake Stevens , WA Season - by - season record . " Note : GP = Games played , W = Wins , L = Losses , T = Ties OTL = Overtime losses Pts = Points , GF = Goals for , GA = Goals against " Team records . < br clear = " all " > NHL draftees . 2006 NHL Entry Draft . 1st Round 2nd Round 3rd Round 2007 NHL Entry Draft . 1st Round 2nd Round 7th Round 2008 NHL Entry Draft . 1st Round 2009 NHL Entry Draft . 3rd Round 4th Round Jordan Mistelbacher . On January 13 , 2009 , former Silvertip left wing Jordan Mistelbacher was found dead . He had just been released from the Silvertips and had returned to his hometown of Winnipeg , Manitoba to play for the Winnipeg Saints . The autopsy showed the death was caused by alcohol poisoning .