ON THIS DAY // Two Signings, from Lee to Z
By Everett Silvertips staff
The Everett Silvertips construction of their current roster, recently coming off a WHL high 46-win campaign in 2019-20, was spelled with a pair of WHL standard player agreement signings happening on this date, one year ago with forward Brendan Lee, and two years ago, with young, standout defenseman Olen Zellweger.
AUGUST 28, 2018: OLEN ZELLWEGER (D) signs his WHL standard player agreement
You could say it was move that delivered promise and potential. The Silvertips, already coming off their 2018 Western Conference title and needing to wait until the second round for their first pick in the WHL draft, made it count at the 48th overall selection. Olen Zellweger, a fresh-faced 2003-born defenseman with a gifted touch with the puck, was the Tips initial selection and cemented the next step of his hockey journey by signing a WHL standard player agreement, shortly after the Tips Green vs. Grey Game.
With Zellweger’s birthday only several days away (September 10), his quick transition into a full fledged member of the Tips pipeline included a taste of WHL action in the Tips preseason opener, earning a pair of shots against the Tri-City Americans while dispatched for the final seconds in a tense, tied game – and uncorking a shot from the blueline that nearly deflected to the back of the net before the end of regulation.
Perhaps, it was a glimpse of poise and potential.
Olen Zellweger is good at hockey and you should watch this highlight. 🚨
Thanks for coming to our TED Talk. #TipsCamp2019 pic.twitter.com/EGGcN1AgCQ
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) August 23, 2019
Zellweger returned next season with more bulk, a matured physique, and presumed preparedness to claim regular minutes in the Tips lineup as a 16-year old (not an easy task). He gained an assist in the Tips preseason opener (against the same Americans), finished with a pair of them in six games, and proceeded to embark on a rookie season suiting up in 58 games, along with a pair of dazzling goals for the first two of his career against Kamloops and Seattle.
Equaling his dedication in his textbooks, as on the ice, Zellweger was named Silvertips Scholastic Player of the Year – and Silvertips Most Dedicated Player of the Year.
Play of the Day:
Olen Zellweger, artist. 🎨#LetsGoTips pic.twitter.com/To5u8eaPdM
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) July 6, 2020
The most recent @OlenZellweger goal left us pretty speechless. #LetsGoTips x @HockeyCanada pic.twitter.com/thACNKvS9J
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) June 11, 2020
AUGUST 29, 2019: BRENDAN LEE (LW) signs his WHL standard player agreement
The arrival of Brendan Lee continued to signify a pair of trends in the Silvertips construction of their roster: earning the understanding of U.S. born prospects and their potential ahead to play at the next level with a commitment to the WHL, and the boost of homegrown talent.
Brendan Lee (Seattle, WA), who grew up attending Silvertips games while commuting from the Capitol Hill neighborhood of the Emerald City, fully embraced his opportunity to come home and dazzle fans from inside the glass. Lee, who confirmed four NCAA schools that were in contact with recruiting, chose his hometown, a bustling fan base, and a rapidly expanding path to the pro game for his next step after succeeding as a prolific scorer with the Colorado Thunderbirds program.
As countless first year players experience, an adjustment period to the pace, speed, and physicality opens opportunity for rapid growth in the WHL. Lee’s age (2002-born) was on his side with that experience, and by the time the season came to a premature conclusion from the Coronavirus pandemic, glimpses of brilliance connected to Lee’s confidence with the puck became more and more habitual.
He fell just one goal shy of the double digit mark as a rookie, with nine goals in 54 games.
🎥 WHL Highlight of the Night 🎥
October 9, 2019Brendan Lee of the @WHLsilvertips
#WHLHoN pic.twitter.com/8c3HJH6IhV— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 10, 2019
Nobody: @brendannleee: 🎯🚨#LetsGoTips pic.twitter.com/lcJAfJ8n1z
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) March 7, 2020
