Armstrong and Baranka Sign NHL Contracts
The defending 2004 Western Conference Champions, Everett Silvertips have announced that forward Riley Armstrong and defenseman Ivan Baranka became the first Everett Silvertips to sign National Hockey League contracts.
Armstrong reached an agreement with the San Jose Sharks of the NHL and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Cleveland Barons to a two-way contract. Armstrong will report to the Cleveland Barons for the 2004-2005 AHL season. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native was tied for first in scoring with the Silvertips last season by adding 18 goals and 26 assists for 44 points. In the 2004 WHL Playoffs, Armstrong played all 21 games and tallied 5 goals and 4 assists for 9 points.
In addition to Armstrong’s signing, defenseman Ivan Baranka signed a professional contract with the New York Rangers of the NHL. Terms of the contract were also disclosed. The 2003, 2nd Round selection of the Rangers tallied 3 goals and 12 assists for 15 points for the Silvertips last season. Baranka also led all Everett defensemen in the 2004 WHL Playoffs in scoring adding 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points. Ivan also played for his country of Slovakia in the 2004 World Junior Championships registering a goal and an assist. Baranka will remain in Everett and play for the Silvertips in the upcoming 2004-2005 season.
Former Everett captain Bryan Nathe will also play pro hockey in the upcoming season. The Elk River, Minnesota native signed a pro contract with the Dayton Bombers of the E.C.H.L. Nathe added 4 goals and 19 assists with the Silvertips last year. Bryan also made a nice contribution in the 2004 WHL Playoffs by registering 2 goals and 6 assists.
The Everett Silvertips begin their second WHL season on Saturday, September 25th against the Kelowna Rockets in Kelowna, BC. Everett will hold their home opening weekend on Friday, October 1st and Saturday, October 2nd as the Silvertips face-off with the Portland Winter Hawks on Friday and the Vancouver Giants on Saturday at the Everett Events Center. Both games will take place at 7:05 p.m. Tickets for both home games and all Silvertips home games are on sale at the Everett Events Center box office or online at www.everettsilvertips.com.
