This in Wednesday from the Everett Silvertips and Everett Community College on a partnership to house players for this season.
Everett Community College’s Trojan mascot with the Everett Silvertips mascot, Lincoln. Photo credit: EvCC
The Everett Silvertips, proud seven-time U.S. Division champion and two-time Western Conference champion of the Western Hockey League, are the sole residents of a section of a student housing building, ensuring an insulated environment to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Access to that section of the building is reserved for players and student housing resident assistants only. Other EvCC students living on campus are currently residing in the college’s other student housing building. Under EvCC COVID-19 rules, no guests are allowed in student housing without prior approval.
“The Silvertips are tremendously excited to move forward with Everett Community College as an exclusive housing partner for the 2020-21 WHL season,” said Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson. “The pandemic has forced us, along with many others in this situation, to consider creative options to allow a return to play and do it in a safe manner. Everett Community College has been a terrific association from the beginning since this idea was introduced, and has enthusiastically committed to an environment that ensures the safety of our players. In turn, we commit to be the best guests possible, and reside in a responsible and respectful manner.”
The Silvertips billeting program is expected to resume at a later date, to be announced. The program is paused to respect the guidelines of local health and safety protocols.
“Our billets – like our fans – are a lifeblood of our organization. We’re excited to activate the program again when it’s safe to do so, and will provide further details at that time,” Davidson said.
EvCC is excited to welcome the team to student housing, said EvCC President Daria Willis.
“This is the exact reason why community is our middle name. We are thrilled to have this partnership and I wish them the very best success this season,” she said.
EvCC Student housing occupancy is low due to COVID-19, with many international students unable to travel to the United States to attend college, so the partnership is beneficial for the college.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with the Silvertips for the upcoming WHL season,” said Mike Bowers, EvCC interim Dean of Student Development. “While many of our students continue to study remotely, helping hockey safely return to Everett is a way for us to contribute to our community and provide a much-needed distraction as we continue to work towards an eventual return to normal from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The WHL has developed an extensive set of protocols, to not only provide a safe environment for players and staff, but to protect individuals in the community. The WHL will implement an ongoing weekly private antigen testing strategy. Enhanced screening for all WHL players, billets, team staff and officials will take place on a daily basis, including regular temperature screenings as well as symptom monitoring through the WHL Athlete RMS Mobile Application.
When participating in games and practices, WHL players must wear gaiter-style masks while on the bench. WHL Officials will be required to wear gaiter masks when on the ice. WHL coaches and other team personnel will be required to wear masks at all times, including while conducting practice and while behind the bench during games.
As the WHL returns to play in Washington state, due to local health circumstances caused the coronavirus pandemic, no spectators will be permitted to enter WHL facilities until further notice.
The Silvertips will open the 2020-21 regular season on Saturday, Mar. 20 against the Spokane Chiefs at 6:05 p.m. Streamed opening night coverage will be offered for free via WHL Live, with full season packages and single-day passes available at https://watch.chl.ca/.
ABOUT THE SILVERTIPS AND THE NHL
A total of 19 players have suited up in an Everett Silvertips jersey and advanced to play in the National Hockey League, since the Silvertips joined the WHL in 2003-04. Entering this season, the Silvertips have elevated 27 players to be selected by teams in the NHL Entry Draft, including eight over the previous three seasons. By the end of the 2019-20 season, all three Silvertips in the 20-year old category earned NHL entry level contracts: Bryce Kindopp (Anaheim), Wyatte Wylie (Philadelphia), and Jake Christiansen (Columbus).
The Seattle Kraken, an expansion franchise scheduled to play 30 miles away from Everett at Climate Pledge Arena, will make their NHL debut in the 2021-22 season.
Follow the Silvertips: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat (evt_silvertips)
ABOUT EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND STUDENT HOUSING
Everett Community College educates more than 18,000 students every year, with most students at the main campus in north Everett. Students come to EvCC to affordably start their four-year degrees, earn certificates, train for a new job, experience hands-on training in professional and technical programs, learn English, develop basic skills, finish high school, train for a promotion, or to learn just for fun. For more information, visit EverettCC.edu.
Student housing is available for local college students. For more information, visit EverettCC.edu/Housing or call 425-259-8945.
March 4, 2021
Everett Sports