WHL AWARDS: Everett Silvertips finalists for WHL Business of the Year
EVERETT, Wash. — The Everett Silvertips have been nominated as a finalist for the Western Hockey League Business of the Year Award representing the U.S. Division as announced during the league’s Division Awards on Thursday afternoon.
“Our organization is honored and humbled to be recognized as a finalist for WHL Business of the Year,” commented Silvertips Chief Operating Officer Zoran Rajcic. “Our team has put together a tremendous effort this season across the board, from ticket sales, to game presentation, marketing, and doing everything we can to welcome fans back into the building. We take great pride in our work to put together a top-notch experience for our fans, and we’re incredibly thankful to Silvertip Country for their continued support.”
The Silvertips have earned WHL Business of the Year honors twice before, most recently in 2018-19. This season the Silvertips have boasted the highest average attendance in the league, welcoming 5,341 fans on average to Angel of the Winds Arena. Everett has generated $2.7 million in ticket sales, with an additional $750k in sponsorship revenue. The team has maintained a 90% season ticket renewal rate, while also adding over 600 new ticket accounts.
In-game presentation has been a major point of focus for the Silvertips this season, as the team sought deliver a memorable experience for fans locked out witnessing WHL hockey first-hand since the premature end of the 2019-20 season. Everett continued the tradition of many promotional staples, including Pink the Rink Night, which generated over $65,000 for Providence Comprehensive Breast Center. The Silvertips also collected a franchise-record number of stuffed animals on Teddy Bear Toss Night, as over 11,000 animals were chucked onto the ice after Matthew Ng’s first-period goal.
There were also new spins on old classics, as the Tips drew large crowds for all three installments of the Great Small Dog Race series, Local Heroes Night honoring first responders in Snohomish County, and Navy Night featuring a special swearing-in ceremony for the newest class of Navy recruits. Plus, the team collected over 3,500 essential warm garments during their Undies Sunday clothing drive game on Dec. 19.
The Silvertips also introduced new promotional events such as the Great Paper Airplane Toss, in which hundreds of paper airplanes soared onto the ice in the hopes of winning part of over $10,000 in prizes.
While player public appearances were strictly limited due to COVID-19 protocols, the Silvertips found new and exciting ways to engage their fans digitally. Everett’s TikTok account is one of the most-watched new accounts in hockey, garnering nearly three million views with over 11.8k followers and 316.4k likes. The @WHLSilvertips Twitter account generates 1.5 million impressions per month, a 33% increase from the 2020-21 season, while the team Facebook and Instagram pages continue to exponentially grow in both reach and engagement. Initiatives like the Rise of the Taco Hat Trick, the #AlwaysASilvertip Alumni Reports and ChadTalksSports Kid Reporter video series have given fans unique access to the Silvertip experience.
Winners of the WHL Business Award (since 2000):
2019-20: Lethbridge Hurricanes
2018-19: Everett Silvertips
2017-18: Edmonton Oil Kings
2016-17: Regina Pats
2015-16: Victoria Royals
2014-15: Kelowna Rockets
2013-14: Seattle Thunderbirds
2012-13: Kamloops Blazers
2011-12: Corey Nyhagen, Moose Jaw Warriors
2010-11: Mike Moore, Calgary Hitmen
2009-10: Zoran Rajcic, Everett Silvertips
2008-09: Mike Bortolussi, Medicine Hat Tigers
2007-08: Kip Reghenas, Calgary Hitmen
2006-07: Bruce Vance, Prince Albert Raiders
2005-06: Dave Andjelic, Medicine Hat Tigers
2004-05: Roger Lemire, Vancouver Giants
2003-04: Mark Stiles, Calgary Hitmen
2002-03: Anne-Marie Hamilton, Kelowna Rockets & Reid Pedersen, Regina Pats
2001-02: Greg McConkey, Red Deer Rebels
2000-01: Mark Miles, Spokane Chiefs
1999-00: Mike Jenkins, Prince Albert Raiders
