ALUMNI REPORT: Christiansen, Kindopp make NHL debuts
The Everett Silvertips have seen a number of NHL firsts in recent weeks, from debuts to first points. Let’s check in with our Tips Alumni!
NHL
- Bryce Kindopp (2015-20) made his NHL debut against former Silvertips teammate Carter Hart (2013-18) and the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, Jan. 4. Kindopp, a former captain of the Silvertips in the ’19-20 season, had logged 10 points in 22 AHL games with the San Diego Gulls prior to his being called-up by the Anaheim Ducks. Kindopp’s first NHL shot-on-goal was a rising wrister that was stopped by Hart, eliciting a big smile from the Flyers’ netminder and fellow 2018 WHL Western Conference Champion.
THE SMILE ON CARTER HART'S FACE SAVING BRYCE KINDOPP'S FIRST NHL SHOT WE CANNOT 🥺 pic.twitter.com/Em8SKcXYQW
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) January 5, 2022
- Jake Christiansen (2015-20) also skated in his first NHL contest with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, Jan. 6 against the New Jersey Devils. Christiansen finished with one shot-on-goal in 12:46 minutes of ice-time.
- Though he did not see any action, Dustin Wolf (2017-21) served as backup goaltender for the Calgary Flames on Dec. 30 while in Seattle against the Kraken. Wolf was also awarded AHL Goaltender of the Month for December, winning all seven decisions with a 1.40 goals-against average and .951 save percentage for the Stockton Heat.
- Defenseman Radko Gudas (2009-10) has been a key contributor on the Florida Panthers’ blueline of late, chipping in three assists over his last five games. He has nine helpers in 32 games played this season.
- Connor Dewar (2015-19) registered his first NHL point Thursday, Jan. 6 against the Boston Bruins. A face-off win set up Marco Sturm for a shot from the high slot, with Dewar setting a screen. Dewar has played in five NHL games, with his appearance against the Bruins being his first since Nov. 6. He saw 12:45 of ice time and registered an assist with two shots on goal.
CONNOR DEWAR FIRST NHL POINT!!!
A faceoff win leads to a @mnwild goal!#LetsGoTipspic.twitter.com/rgG2ZAUSR4
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) January 7, 2022
AHL
- Eetu Tuulola (2016-17) played in his 100th career AHL game for the Stockton Heat on Jan. 4. The following night, he scored a short-handed goal against the Tucson Roadrunners for his sixth tally of the season and his third in his last six games. The Heat, helmed by Mitch Love (2003-05), currently hold the best record in the AHL at 20-4-3 (43 points).
- 2022 has been good to Garrett Pilon (2017-18). In two games with the Hershey Bears, he has a goal and two assists with six total shots-on-goal. The Bears, featuring Pilon and Riley Sutter (2015-19), currently sit second in the Atlantic Division and fifth overall in the AHL with a 16-9-3 record (35 points).
- Wyatte Wylie (2016-20) was an anchor for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on New Year’s Eve, notching an assist amidst a comeback effort in which the Phantoms scored five unanswered goals to take down the Utica Comets 6-5 in overtime.