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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Silvertips update Today’s Game Opponent: Chilliwack Bruins When: 7:35 p.m. Where: Comcast Arena, Everett Radio: KRKO (1380 AM) Scouting report Tonight is the third of four meetings between Everett (20-18-0-2) and Chilliwack (18-17-3-1) this season. Just two points separate the teams in the conference standings as Everett currently sits fifth and Chilliwack is tied for sixth. The teams split their first two meetings, with Everett winning 4-2 in Chilliwack, B.C., when the teams last met on Nov. 18. Chilliwack is still trying to regain its form from early in the season. Since opening with seven victories in their first nine games, the Bruins have been below .500. That includes their current stretch, during which they’ve won just one of their past seven. The Bruins have struggled without 18-year-old center Oscar Moller (25 goals, 25 assists), who’s playing for Sweden at the World Junior Hockey Championships. Without his partner, 19-year-old left wing Mark Santorelli (18 goals, 42 assists) has surrendered his lead in the league scoring race. Twenty-year-old left wing Brandon Campos (16 goals, 23 assists), a former Silvertip, also has seen his scoring rate slip, going pointless in his past six games. The Bruins have a bit of a controversy in goal as 18-year-old former Silvertip Matt Esposito (14-13-1-1, 2.92 goals against average, .890 save percentage) has lost playing time to 17-year-old rookie Mark Friesen (4-4-2-0, 2.84 goals against average, .907 save percentage). Nick Patterson, Herald writer   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, January 4, 2008 Kieffer set to make his ice debut for Silvertips Newly acquired defenseman is rugged, adds needed depth to Everett's lineup By Nick Patterson Herald Writer EVERETT -- David Reekie might not play for the Everett Silvertips any longer. But credit the former Tips goaltender with an assist -- from approximately 1,000 miles away. Everett is set to unwrap its newest present with defenseman Tyler Kieffer slated for the lineup tonight against the Chilliwack Bruins, and one of the reasons why Kieffer decided to join the Tips midseason was Reekie's unlikely influence. Kieffer, an 18-year-old from Stillwater, Minn., officially joined the team last weekend, and his rugged 5-foot-11, 200-pound frame adds depth to Everett's blue line. "Any time you can find a player it's a bonus," Everett general manager Doug Soetaert said. "It's like trading for somebody without giving anything up. So we found someone we feel is able to contribute now and in the future for us. He's the right age that I think he'll be able to contribute a lot sooner than your typical rookie." The Tips had their eye on Kieffer for a while. Everett added Kieffer to its protected list about a year ago, and Soetaert made a bid for Kieffer's services during the summer. However, that didn't work out and Kieffer joined the United States Hockey League's Lincoln (Neb.) Stars, with the intention of accepting a scholarship to play college hockey for St. Cloud State. However, Kieffer received limited playing time with the Stars and about a month ago his representatives contacted Soetaert again about the possibility of joining the Tips. "Everett first contacted me when I was a sophomore in high school and wanted me to come out," Kieffer said. "But being from Minnesota the route there is to play in the (Western Collegiate Hockey Association) and I had a scholarship there. But school wasn't really my thing and I wasn't really getting much playing time in Lincoln." Soetaert headed to Lincoln to watch Kieffer play two games and decide whether Kieffer was a good fit for the Tips. He came away impressed. "I liked what I saw," Soetaert said. "I figured he could come in and contribute to our hockey club, so we decided to tell him we'd like to bring him in." That's where Reekie enters the story. Reekie's tumultuous early season included a bout of mononucleosis that nullified a possible trade from Everett, and he was unable to find another WHL suitor once he recovered. After a brief detour through Windsor, Ontario, Reekie landed in Lincoln, where he became Kieffer's teammate. Since Kieffer already was considering joining the Tips, naturally he mined Reekie for information. Reekie said nothing to dissuade him. "When I found out (Reekie) was from Everett I talked with him quite a bit," Kieffer said. "I actually hung out with him just about every day and got to know him pretty well. "He pursued me to come to Everett," Kieffer added. "He told me a lot of stuff about it, that all the guys are great and that he loved the coaches and the place." Now that he's here, Kieffer gives the Tips more depth and experience on defense. Everett can now field a six-man defensive unit consisting of players 18 or older. And as a 1989-born player he helps fill a gap as Everett has just one other 89-born defenseman (Mike Alexander) in the system. But Kieffer is more than just another body, he's expected to contribute during the second half of the season. "He's a big, strong kid," Everett coach John Becanic said. "Physically he's very mature and capable of playing in this league. He's a relatively smooth skating kid who has a real heavy shot. Hopefully he'll give us some stability at the back in the sense that we can put out three pairs of D and not have to worry about who they're playing against. "Now, we have to be realistic," Becanic added. "We've seen every defenseman come here and it's been difficult, whether it's been (Jesse) Zetariuk or (Dane) Crowley or Randy King. It's a difficult transition whether you come from another WHL team or tier II." As for Kieffer, his first impression is that Everett is a good fit for his needs. "I like it a lot," he said. "All the guys seem pretty nice, it's a great building and I'm just excited to play. "This is may draft year, so it's really big for me to get exposure and the exposure in this league us unbelievable," Kieffer added. "All my life I've wanted to get to the show and that's what I'm working for this year." Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog

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