The Everett Silvertips have never missed a playoff since joining the WHL in 2003.

Kamloops, B.C - The red hot Everett Silvertips are the first team in the Western Hockey League to secure a 2025 playoff berth with a 4-1 victory over the Kamloops Blazers Friday night in British Columbia. The Tips have been on fire all season, consistently ranked in the top ten of the WHL’s power rankings. Sitting atop the Western Division, U.S. Division, and the CHL league overall, the Silvertips boast an impressive record of 37 wins, 8 losses, and 81 points.

In the midst of the season, Everett made several bold trades, some of which rattled their loyal fanbase—most notably the trade of Julien Maze to the Regina Pats in exchange for forward Cole Temple. However, the move has proven worthwhile, with Temple contributing 12 goals, 15 assists, and 27 points with the Silvertips, including the opening goal in Kamloops on Friday night.

Mid-season acquisition Zackary Shantz has quickly made an impact, scoring 3 goals in his first 6 games with Everett. He added an empty-net goal in the third period. Shantz was acquired from the Regina Pats in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and the rights to 2008-born forward Shea Rollason. 

Everett's roster boasts a number of NHL prospects such as Kaden Hammell (Seattle Kraken) and Eric Jamieson who played key roles in the win against the Blazers. Tarin Smith, an Anaheim Ducks prospect, netted the game-winning goal, and Jesse Heslop who assisted on Smith's and Temple's goal participated in the Edmonton Oilers 2024 development camp. 

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The second empty-netter came courtesy of 18-year-old NHL draft-eligible center Carter Bear, who leads the league with 36 goals and 39 assists.

The Silvertips' blue line, affectionately referred to as the "D Corps" led by Hammell, Brett Liske, and Landon DuPont, shared the honor of awarded the team vest post game in the locker room. A gesture given to honor the Silvertips player of the game as nominated by their fellow skaters.

DuPont, selected first overall in the 2024 WHL Draft, made history as the first exceptional-status defenseman to play full-time at 15 and the first rookie defenseman under 17 to record 50 points in a season, a feat last achieved by Scott Niedermayer in 1989-1990.

Since joining the CHL in 2003, the Silvertips have never missed a playoff berth, though the Ed Chynoweth Cup has thus far eluded them. The Silvertips continue their road trip, facing the Vancouver Giants on Saturday night, followed by stops in Prince George and Victoria, before finally returning home on Friday, February 21st, to host the Portland Winterhawks for the team's trading card giveaway night.

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