The Everett Silvertips made a big splash earlier this week when they traded 2001-born forward Reece Vitelli, a second-round pick in 2021, a fourth-round pick in 2021, and a conditional third-round pick in 2022 for 2000-born left wing Cole Fonstad.
Fonstad has provided consistent offense in the WHL the last three plus seasons since being drafted fifth overall by the Raiders in 2015.
That proven offense was just what Everett general manager Garry Davidson had in mind when he gave up so much for the 19-year-old, fifth-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens.
Prior to the trade, Everett had just 21 goals in eight games.
“We felt we needed to bring in a proven offensive guy in the league, which he’s been the last couple of years. We needed to see if we could get some people that could drive some offense for us,” Davidson said.
Fonstad has put up 182 points in 219 regular season games, all with the Raiders. He also has 11 playoffs points over 28 postseason games.
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound native of Estevan, Saskatchewan, showcased his skill set in his first game on Wednesday night. He scored a power-play goal and assisted on two other markers to give him three points in a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings.
“I’m super excited to be here. It’s been awesome right from the start and I’m loving it. There’s obviously going to be a little bit of nerves for the first game. A whole bunch of new teammates that I’m not really familiar with at all, but the guys have been great and it was good to get that first win,” Fonstad said of the game Wednesday.
Chemistry with new linemates is something they are working on. But Fonstad is excited to play with two very skilled guys in Bryce Kindopp and Gage Goncalves.
“Yeah, (Kindopp’s) a great player. Obviously he’s a big guy and he’s strong on the puck. He protects the puck well, and he’s pretty quick too. I didn’t know he was that fast. It’s good to see and I’m excited to play with him and Gage, just keep building chemistry with them. Gage is a great player as well. He sees the ice really well. I think we’re going to work off each other pretty good.”
Wednesday was a good day on and off the ice for Fonstad as he was named to Team WHL for the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series. The game is used by Hockey Canada to take a look at candidates for the U20 World Juniors Canadian roster.
“It’s exciting. It was a goal of mine coming into the year, and I’m obviously an older guy now. It’s my fourth year in the league, so I really want to step up this year and it’s a good honor. I’m excited to go there and play with all those guys. I know a lot of them from other Hockey Canada events and whatnot, so it’s gonna be fun.”
The week gets more interesting for Fonstad, as after the Tri-City Americans visit the Angel of the Winds Arena on Friday, his old team, the Prince Albert Raiders, come in.
He will play against the team with whom he went on a long playoff run, won the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions, and played in the Memorial Cup.
“It’s gonna be a lot of fun. I was with them for three and a half years. All those guys are my brothers and I won a championship with them, but Saturday, it’s going to be a battle and hopefully we get the win.”
If Game 1 of the Fonstad era in Everett is a sign of things to come, Davidson will be getting exactly what he was looking for from the playmaking forward.
