EVERETT — Two years ago it appeared Tyler Sandhu had a big future with the Everett Silvertips.
But now Sandhu’s future is with the Red Deer Rebels.
Everett and Sandhu parted ways Monday as the 18-year-old winger was traded to Red Deer in exchange for fourth-round picks in the 2015 and 2016 bantam drafts.
Sandhu played two-plus seasons for Everett, with the Richmond, B.C., native compiling 33 goals and 31 assists in 120 games.
“I was a little shocked at first,” Sandhu said about his reaction to the trade. “You take it in and it’s tough to think about the guys and the fans here, and about my billets and the coaches. But it’s starting to sink in now.”
There was a discrepancy on why the trade took place. Everett general manager Garry Davidson said Sandhu was dissatisfied with his role on the team and requested a trade, while Sandhu said he didn’t request a trade and that it came as a surprise.
But whether there was a trade request or not, the writing appeared to be on the wall, given the direction Sandhu’s career was going with the Tips.
Sandhu was originally acquired by Everett in May of 2012 as part of the package the Tips received from the Portland Winterhawks in exchange for defenseman Seth Jones. Sandhu, who was a second-round pick in the 2011 bantam draft by Portland, had a fantastic rookie season in 2012-13, notching 19 goals and 14 assists in 62 games. It was one of the most productive 16-year-old seasons in franchise history, and he was voted the Best 16-year-old in the Tri-City Herald’s Best of the West poll. He was expected to be an integral part of Everett’s offense in succeeding seasons.
However, Sandhu’s progress stalled last season. Injuries limited him to 49 games in 2013-14, during which he tallied 13 goals and 17 assists. He started the season well when playing on a line with then-overagers Joshua Winquist and Manraj Hayer. But his production tailed off beginning in December, and he finished the season putting up just one goal and nine assists in his final 24 contests. He went unselected in June’s NHL draft.
This season Sandhu was relegated largely to fourth-line duty, and he had just one goal and no assists in Everett’s first nine games.
“(The trade) had to do with us not satisfying Tyler Sandhu with his role,” Davidson said. “He was struggling with where he fit in. I think, like most young guys, he was a little impatient and wanted things to happen overnight. He had a good season when he was 16, but last year he was so-so, and this year he started like he finished last year. He probably needs a new setting to see if he can get back on track.
“He expressed his concern before,” Davidson added. “We discussed it. Kevin (Constantine, Everett’s head coach) and the staff sat down with him and talked to him about it. In the end things continued in the same direction.”
Sandhu said he enjoyed his years in Everett.
“I thought they were good,” Sandhu said. “I had a good rookie year, that was exciting and a lot of fun. At times I did well in my second season and at times I thought I could be better. That’s part of hockey. I’ll try to get it back to where I’m playing well all the time, and hopefully I’ll find that in Red Deer.”
Because he was traded to the Rebels, Sandhu has a chance to play in the Memorial Cup. Red Deer was awarded hosting rights to the 2016 Memorial Cup, and the Rebels receive an automatic berth to the Canadian Hockey League’s championship tournament as the host team. Sandhu will be a 19-year-old that season and could be a key part of building a competitive team, should he rediscover his form.
“That’s really exciting,” Sandhu said about the prospect of playing in the Memorial Cup. “When you’re little you see the guys at the Memorial Cup and it’s a dream to play in it. It’ll be a great experience and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
By trading Sandhu, Everett opens up more playing time for young wingers Gunnar Wegleitner and Nik Malenica. Wegleitner, as a 16-year-old, is required to dress in 40 games, but he played in just two of Everett’s first nine games. Malenica, who’s in his 17-year-old season, has yet to appear.
Check out Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.
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