ON THIS DAY // Signed, Two Pillars of Strength
By Everett Silvertips Staff
Not just one, but two eventual pillars of strength in the success of the Everett Silvertips were signed to WHL standard player agreements on this date, exactly five years ago. The duo of Connor Dewar and Riley Sutter became synonymous with a ferocious, clutch brand of play, helping the Tips win the U.S. Division in three of their four seasons of play, becoming linchpins in their run to the Western Conference title in 2017-18, and to top it off: being selected at the NHL Draft exactly one spot apart, just two months later.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2015:
CONNOR DEWAR (F) SIGNS WHL STANDARD PLAYER AGREEMENT
The legend of the “Pitbull” would take on life exactly just three weeks later, when Dewar scored a goal in his WHL debut at Prince George. Before that moment, the previous year was spent on monitoring, and eventually recruiting, a brown-haired and soft-spoken Manitoba native who was small on vocal volume, but AC/DC concert loud with his brand of play. Shortly after the Silvertips annual Green vs. Grey game, Dewar capped off an unforgettable impression in training camp that put on the finishing touches to the next step of his career.
He made every step count. Dewar earned the Silvertips Rookie of the Year award, becoming the first Silvertip since Manraj Hayer to reach double digits in goals as a rookie. In his second season (2016-17), earned the Booster Club’s F.I.E.R.C.E Predator award, typically an achievement reached by an older player. The following year: he played a large part in the Tips first return to the finals in 14 years, ripping off 26 points in 22 postseason games. Declining to attend the NHL Draft and instead monitor the news from the couch at his summer home in The Pas, his selection by the Minnesota Wild was followed up with a 36 goal, and career high 81 point performance as Silvertips captain.
🎩 Hats off to Connor Dewar (@cdewar26). 🎩
48th hat trick in Tips history.
🔈 @KRKO1380 / @Benton_Mike pic.twitter.com/impF9ctVxw
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) October 5, 2017
By the end of it: 270 games, 99 goals (5th in franchise history), and 197 points – all in a Silvertips sweater. Through one season in the Wild pipeline, he had 19 points and a +10 rating as a rookie in the AHL.
RILEY SUTTER (F) SIGNS WHL STANDARD PLAYER AGREEMENT
If you’ve watched hockey for a long time, you know of the history of the “Sutter family” (Google it if you’re a new fan). With a Sutter comes a reputation of an honest, rugged, and fundamental approach to the game.
Eventually growing into a 6-foot-3, 200+pound behemoth as a pivot, Sutter forged a Silvertips career as a reliable face-off man, special teams weapon, and another clutch centerpiece to Silvertips success. Though injuries at times got in the way – his rookie 2015-16 and final 2018-19 seasons never reached 40 games – his production and presence were immeasurable.
Never underestimate Riley Sutter in the trenches. #LetsGoTips pic.twitter.com/Sjm5Nlxku0
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) February 12, 2018
With father Ron instilling the necessary qualities, Riley proceeded to bury 60 goals and notched 137 points in 204 games – and won over 1,200 face-offs in his last two seasons (2017-18 was the first year that face-offs were a measured statistic). The playoffs: just as productive. His 2017-18 postseason remains the hallmark on his playoff resume with 19 points in 21 games, including three goals in the WHL Championship Series.
Sutter, drafted exactly one spot after Dewar to the Washington Capitals, begun his pro journey with the Hershey Bears and following recovery from injury, suited up in 25 games this season.
