Silvertips Sign Bajkov, Skrumeda, Wharrie
EVERETT – The Everett Silvertips announced the signings of three prospects to Western Hockey League Educational Contracts on Tuesday. Forward Patrick Bajkov and defenseman Jordan Wharrie were Silvertips selections in the 2012 bantam draft, while listed defenseman Lucas Skrumeda has attended training camp with Everett in each of the past two seasons.
Bajkov and Skrumeda remain with the ‘Tips after seeing action during the Holiday Inn Preseason Classic at Comcast Arena over Labor Day weekend, while Wharrie is set to re-join the club and make his preseason debut this weekend at a tournament hosted by the Tri-City Americans.
“We are very excited that these three young men wanted to be part of the Silvertips organization and look forward to watching their growth and development in Everett,” said Silvertips General Manager Garry Davidson. “Because of the progress they all showed last season and what we’ve seen so far in training camp and the preseason, I’m confident that Patrick, Lucas and Jordan will become productive members of our team in the coming years.”
Bajkov, 15, was Everett’s sixth-round selection (128th overall) in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. In just his second WHL exhibition game on Sunday, he scored a goal and finished with a +3 rating as Everett defeated Portland 6-4. The Nanaimo, BC native played for the North Island Silvertips of the BC Major Midget League (BCMML) last season, scoring 20 goals and totaling 31 points in 40 games.
Skrumeda, who turns 17 next month, was listed by the ‘Tips after going unselected in the 2011 bantam draft. Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, he posted 28 points on seven goals and 21 assists in 43 games on the blueline for the midget AAA Winnipeg Thrashers last season. Skrumeda played in two of Everett’s three preseason tournament wins over the weekend.
Wharrie, 16, was a fifth-round pick (98th overall) of the Silvertips in the 2012 WHL draft. The Port Moody, BC product returned home last week after practicing with the ‘Tips following training camp, but will now re-join the team in time to participate in this weekend’s exhibition games at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. Wharrie also skated in the BCMML last season, totaling two points (1g/1a) and 22 penalty minutes in 39 appearances with the Vancouver NE Chiefs.
The WHL Scholarship encourages graduates to pursue a post-secondary education while also affording them the opportunity to continue playing hockey at an elite level in the Canadian University or College systems. For every season a player spends in the WHL, he receives a full year guaranteed Scholarship to a higher education institution. Each year over 300 WHL graduates attend a university or college on a WHL Scholarship.
The Silvertips travel across the state this weekend to continue their preseason schedule at a tournament hosted by the Tri-City Americans. The ‘Tips are set to face Portland Friday at 11:00 am and Kootenay Saturday at 11:00 am before finishing their exhibition slate with a home-and-home set against the Seattle Thunderbirds starting on September 13 at Comcast Arena.
Preseason tickets as well as season tickets and mini-game packages for the 2013-14 WHL season are available now at the team office. Visit our website or call 425-252-5100 for more information. To keep up with all the latest team news, “like” the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club on Facebook or follow @WHLSilvertips on Twitter.
