Friday, September 14, 2012

Murray Returns, Barnett Heads to Kelowna

Press Release

EVERETT – Along with the recent return of team Captain Ryan Murray to the club, the Everett Silvertips today announced that overage forward JT Barnett has been claimed by the Kelowna Rockets after being placed on Western Hockey League waivers. The move leaves Everett within the league requirement of three 1992-born players on their roster: forwards Cody Fowlie and Ryan Harrison and defenseman Landon Oslanski.

Murray, 18, was expected to start the season in the NHL after being selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the second overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. With the start of NHL Training Camps delayed due to the league’s unsure labor situation, Murray has instead rejoined the Silvertips for his 19-year-old season until further notice.

The White City, Saskatchewan native has played 168 career games with the Silvertips over the past three seasons, totaling 104 points (20g/84a), 107 penalty minutes and a franchise-record +51 plus/minus rating in that time. He has been named a team MVP in each of the last two seasons and represented Canada in the 2012 World Junior Championships, IIHF World Championships and Canada-Russia Challenge in the last nine months alone.

Barnett, 20, came to the Silvertips last November in a trade with the Kamloops Blazers. Injuries limited the Scottsdale, Arizona native to only 20 games with Everett last year, during which he totaled 12 points (4g/8a) and six penalty minutes. He also scored one goal in four playoff games after returning from his injury. In 220 career WHL games with Vancouver, Kamloops and Everett, Barnett has scored 43 goals and totaled 104 career points along with 106 penalty minutes.

“Of course with four 20-year-olds on our roster, a move had to be made at some point,” said Silvertips General Manager Garry Davidson. “We decided it made the most sense to keep a defenseman with one of our overage spots, so we had to part with one of our forwards. JT ended up being the odd man out of that group, but Kelowna is a great place to be and we certainly hope things work out for him there.”


(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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