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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   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, May 16, 2008 Silvertips captain leaving team to play college hockey By Nick Patterson Herald Writer EVERETT -- The Everett Silvertips have lost their captain. Jonathan Harty, who served as Everett's captain during the 2007-08 season and was a stalwart for the Tips defense the past four years, has committed to play collegiately at the University of New Brunswick next season. Harty had been weighing his options since Everett was eliminated from the playoffs in late March. But his commitment to the University of New Brunswick means Harty will not be back in Everett for his overage season. "I'm all about moving forward," Harty said from his home in Oromocto, New Brunswick. "Where I'm at now, if I came back to the WHL I'd be in the exact same place as I was before, looking for a pro contract." And Harty's loss is a stinging one for the Tips. "He was one of our top players in so many areas," Everett coach John Becanic said. "He was our captain, he was our leader physically, he was our leader in passion, he was our only defenseman on our No. 1 power play, so we've got a lot of areas to fill." Harty's decision ultimately came down to taking advantage of an opportunity. Harty still has a desire to play hockey professionally, but he hasn't garnered much interest from NHL teams, having never received an NHL tryout. In using his WHL scholarship -- one year of college paid for each year played in the WHL -- he plans on earning a business degree as an insurance policy. Meanwhile, Harty will play for a strong University of New Brunswick program that was the Canadian collegiate champion in 2007 and runner-up this year. Star forward Rob Hennigar recently signed a contract with the New York Islanders, and Harty is hoping playing for the Varsity Reds will help with his pro aspirations. "I think those first low-level pro contracts start out at about $30,000, and I'm not ready to give up my schooling for that, especially when I'm not sure I'll stick in the AHL," Harty explained. "So I'm going to get my degree first before trying to make a run at playing pro." The University of New Brunswick is also closer to his home -- he's the rare east coaster in the WHL as his family moved after he was taken in the bantam draft -- and both of his brothers attend the school. Harty's season as captain was a tumultuous one. The Tips, expected to be one of the top teams in the league, were up and down like a roller coaster before being swept by eventual league champion Spokane in the first round of the playoffs. However, Harty said Everett's inconsistent season did not factor in his decision. "I had a great time this season," Harty said. "We had a great bunch of guys and you can't ask for more than that. I wouldn't have asked for a trade. I just felt I got all the exposure I was going to get in this league. "But I thought it was a great WHL career," Harty added. "There will be a lot of memories. And I want to thank all the fans and the city for all the support. It was the best time of my life and if I could I'd do it again." Harty only gave a verbal commitment to the University of New Brunswick and has yet to sign any paperwork, so there's still the possibility he could change his mind later in the offseason. The Tips would love to have Harty back and made overtures designed to woo him back into the fold, but they aren't expecting a change of heart. "We've left the door open for him, and sometimes things change," Becanic said. "But Jonathan's a very headstrong person and when he says he's going to do something he usually does it. The good thing is we have all summer to prepare for it. We're thankful he was honest and up front because if he hadn't told us anything until August or September we really would have been scrambling." Harty has been a central figure for the Tips since arriving in 2004. Known for a heart and work ethic that made up for his modest skills, he holds the Everett franchise record for career games played with 246. During that time he accumulated 21 goals, 69 assists and 411 penalty minutes. Last season was Harty's finest statistically as he had 11 goals and 34 assists in 65 games, tying for 10th in the league in scoring among defensemen. He also led the Tips in scoring during the playoffs with two goals and three assists in four games. Harty was also Everett's most visible player in the community, twice being named the team's community relations player of the year. "For me personally, I think he's the all-time Silvertip," Becanic said. "I don't know what more a young man could have done for the organization and the community. He never passed up an opportunity to speak at a school or go to the hospital or talk to the booster club. And as a player he fought all the battles that needed to be fought." The loss of Harty serves as another blow to Everett heading into the 2008-09 season, particularly on the blue line. The Tips lost top-pairing defenseman Dane Crowley to graduation, and his defensive partner Taylor Ellington is also a candidate to play pro. With Harty now gone Everett is looking at a severely depleted defense. With leading scorer Dan Gendur also graduated, and with No. 1 center Zach Hamill and starting goaltender Leland Irving expected to play pro, it's looking more and more like a rebuilding season ahead for the Tips. Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblogUn

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