The Everett Silvertips, despite opening the WHL pre-season Friday with a 5-4 victory against the Victoria Royals, are left to think of what might have been this year at X-Finity Arena.
It was a huge blow to the WHL’s marquee potential for 2015-16 when U.S. National U-18 Team sensation Auston Matthews of Scottsdale, the overwhelming consensus as No. 1 pick for the 2016 NHL draft, opted to play pro in Switzerland rather than junior for the Silvertips.
But you can bet the rest of the WHL Western Conference is breathing a sigh of relief. Or so you would think.
“Anytime a top player decides not to play in the league, it’s not ideal for any of us,” said Victoria GM Cam Hope.
“You like to play against the best,” said Hope.
On the ice Friday in Everett, Matthew Phillips of the Royals opened scoring with a minute remaining in the first period before four consecutive Everett goals. Keith Anderson, a six-foot-four freshly signed Royals 18-year-old forward from Minnesota, made it 4-2 at 9:13 of the third period before a shorthanded goal by Los Angeles Kings-drafted defenceman Chaz Reddekopp brought Victoria to within one at 12:26. Third-year winger Patrick Bajkov from Nanaimo recorded the winner for Everett on the power play at 13:04 before veteran Regan Nagy of Victoria closed out scoring at 19:22.
Joe Hicketts, the mobile Canadian junior team blue-liner under contract to the Detroit Red Wings, had two assists for the Royals and was plus-3.
Veteran goaltender Coleman Volllrath, the projected Victoria starter, went all the way in making 24 saves.
The Everett pre-season tournament continues with Victoria meeting the Seattle Thunderbirds today (3 p.m.) and Tri-City Americans on Sunday (11:30 a.m.).
