Harper Signs with Philadelphia Flyers

Press Release

Everett, WA – Everett Silvertips Vice President / General Manager Doug Soetaert announced Thursday that forward Shane Harper has signed an entry-level professional contract with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers.

Harper, 20, leads the Silvertips in scoring with 74 points on 39 goals and 35 assists. Standing 5’11 and weighing 193 pounds, the Valencia, California native has spent all five years of his Western Hockey League career with the Silvertips and is the club’s all-time leader with 329 games played and 97 goals scored. With a first period goal in a 5-2 win at Kamloops at Tuesday, he surpassed John Lammers with his 39th goal of the season and now holds the Silvertips’ record for goals scored in one season. Harper has now played in 208 consecutive games, also a club record.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Shane,” Soetaert said. “This contract is the result of a great deal of hard work and buying into our system. Shane is someone who was never invited to an NHL training camp, yet continued to persevere and earned this contract by showing a firm commitment and dedication to improving his game.”

Harper has also appeared internationally as part of the United States’ entry at the 2006 Ivan Hnlika Memorial Tournament, where he earned a Silver medal, supporting his team with two assists in four games played.

He becomes the third Silvertip to sign an NHL contract in the last nine months, joining Kellan Tochkin (Vancouver) and Thomas Heemskerk (San Jose). Harper is one of five current Silvertips whose rights are owned by NHL teams.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)