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Tipped Off
05-05-2005, 12:18 PM
Like it was two years ago, today's WHL Bantam draft could go a long way in forming Everett's future.

By Nick Patterson
Herald Writer


EVERETT - Two years ago the Everett Silvertips laid the foundation for their Western Hockey League franchise, drafting a group of 14-year-old players who have already become the nucleus of the team.

Today the Silvertips hope to repeat that success at the 2005 Bantam Draft.

Everett has the 10th overall pick in today's draft, which takes place in Calgary, Alberta, and includes players born in 1990 in western Canada and the western United States. The draft goes as many rounds as needed, with teams selecting an average of 10 players.

And Everett general manager Doug Soetaert believes this year's draft is strong enough to have a profound impact on molding the shape of the Silvertips' future.

"I think the pool of players this year is deeper than last year," Soetaert said. "I feel teams will be able to select some pretty good players in the top-end rounds, but also be able to pick up some solid role players in the later rounds. Overall it's a solid draft."

Everett had more than just a solid draft two years ago. The typical Bantam Draft class produces three or four players who have significant WHL careers. But Everett's class of 2003 included eight players who played 23 or more games last season as 16-year-old rookies, and a few more 1988-born players may be on the way.

The Silvertips would like to repeat that feat today.

"That was obviously a very strong year for us," Soetaert said. "We had eight with the team last year and there's still a couple more coming that have a good chance of being with us next year. You hope every one of your picks can make it down the road."

Everett currently has the 10th overall pick, but Soetaert indicated he'd be receptive to moving up, if the opportunity presented itself.

"There's about five or six really top-end guys," Soetaert said. "Then there's some really good hockey players after that. It'll be interesting to see how things shake out.

"We're looking at all kinds of possibilities," Soetaert added. "(Moving up) is a possibility. There are some teams that are maybe looking to move back. But we're sitting at 10 today and if we stay where we are we'll get a solid player."

There are three names that pop up near the top of just about every draft projection: defenseman Colten Teubert from White Rock, British Columbia, who the Regina Pats are expected to take with the first overall pick, forward Dale Hunt from Sanford, Manitoba, and forward Kyle Beach from Kelowna, British Columbia.

Soetaert was coy when discussing Everett's needs, saying the Silvertips would take a best-player-available approach rather than targeting either forwards, defensemen or goaltenders.

"We're coming at this with an open mind and we'll see what shakes up at the 10th spot," Soetaert said. "Last year we were very happy with getting Eric Doyle at No. 15. I'm not sure if we'll take a defenseman or a forward this year, and there's a couple of really good goalies this year, too. So it's hard to say."

Everett selected center Zach Hamill with the third overall pick in 2003 and defenseman Eric Doyle with the 15th overall pick in 2004.