Tips Take 12 at the ’16 Draft
EVERETT, Wash. – The Everett Silvertips (@WHLSilvertips) concluded the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft with Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson, director of player personnel Bil La Forge, and staff making a total of 12 selections of players born in 2001.
In total, the Silvertips selected eight forwards, two defensemen, and two goaltenders spanning ten rounds.
“We went in trying to strive in looking at more skill,” said Davidson. “I think we achieved that. We’re excited about the skilled players we’ve acquired, along with a nice mix of a couple of big bodies and two young goaltenders. Overall the group we’ve acquired is a very exciting one and today I feel very comfortable with what our guys have done at the draft.”
With their first round pick at 14th overall, the Silvertips selected forward Ethan Browne, who earned 77 points (39g-38a) in 36 games this season for the Sherwood Park Flyers Bantam AAA (AMBHL) squad, trailing only Peyton Krebs – the WHL’s first overall selection – in league scoring. He was tied for second in league scoring, ranked second in goals, and was third in assists while earning Sherwood Park’s Most Valuable Player award.
Browne earned league awards for outstanding forward and most sportsmanlike player, helping guide the Bantam AAA Flyers to a 31-3-2 regular season record and sweeps through the first three rounds of the postseason. He racked up 23 points (10g-13a) in 10 games to lead the league in playoff scoring.
“We’ve gone after players who have got to be able to skate, think, and show growth potential in hockey sense,” said La Forge. “The competitiveness and passion is byproduct of the qualities they have. We went in saying ‘we want to draft guys who are scoring points and making things happen offensively.’ We made sure we’re getting skating, skill, and hockey sense, and what it takes to compete in this game. Going forward, we’ll be happy with the selections we made today.”
Complete Silvertips draft history is available at www.everettsilvertips.com/bantam.
SILVERTIPS “SELECT-A-SEAT” – SATURDAY, MAY 7
Silvertips Season Tickets are on sale now and can be reserved by placing a deposit for $50 through everettsilvertips.com/selectaseat, or call 425-252-5100. “Select-A-Seat” is this Saturday from 10:00am-4:00pm at XFINITY Arena, offering new and current (seat changing) season ticket members a first glance at their seats.
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