EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips announced Thursday that forward Connor Dewar will serve as the team’s captain for the 2018-19 season.
Dewar, a 1999-born winger from The Pas, Manitoba, was an alternate captain this past season as the Tips won their second consecutive U.S. Division title and their second ever Western Conference title en route to the WHL championship series.
“Connor has developed into a fearless and effective leader, and his day-to-day approach is a natural fit to take the role as our next captain,” Silvertips head coach Dennis Williams said in a press release. “He brings remarkable character, a tireless work ethic, and proven abilities to the table. His dedication and the example he sets every day was vital to the success we enjoyed this past season, and makes perfect sense to be the next in line to wear the ‘C’ as a Silvertip.”
Dewar was named Everett’s Most Dedicated Player last season while leading the team in goals with 38 and tallying 68 points. He will assume captain duties from Matt Fonteyne and Kevin Davis, two overagers who shared the honors last season.
“I just want to uphold the culture that the 20(-year-olds) are leaving behind and make sure their legacy lives on,” Dewar said during exit interviews on May 15.
Dewar and linemate Riley Sutter (25 goals, 28 assists) are Everett’s top two returning offensive threats. Along with midseason pickup Garrett Pilon, they were Everett’s top postseason offense-producing line and also drew the assignment of defending the opponent’s top line.
“I’ve always taken pride in winning, and on a nightly basis you want to win your matchup,” said Dewar, who had 12 goals and 14 assists in 22 playoff games this season. “You gotta shut them down, and at the same time we were able to score some goals on them.”
The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder is renowned for his durability. He won the Iron Man Award by playing in all 72 games as a rookie in 2015-16. He has missed just five games in his three WHL campaigns.
He broke out offensively this season while adjusting to the more up-tempo approach favored by Williams.
“I think (it was) Willy having confidence in me, and my line,” he said. “I always found that as you get older in this league you get more bounces, and it just gets easier as you go on.”
Though Dewar was passed over a year ago in the NHL draft, there is talk he could be taken this season.
Not that he’s worried about it.
“Last year I didn’t think about it too much because I didn’t expect it to happen,” he said. “This year I’m going to look at it the same way, just go home, enjoy my family, enjoy my friends, work out and wait for next season.”
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.
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