October 29th the Western Hockey League Kamloops Blazers traded former Vernon Vipers goaltender Max Palaga to the Everett Silvertips.
What will happen with Max Palaga when 16-year-old goaltender Blake Lyda returns to the Silvertips lineup? As of now the Silvertips have three goaltenders. Dustin Wolf, Max Palaga and Blake Lyda.
The Blazers released Palaga September 25th 2018 joined/signed with the Vipers September 25th 2018.
Max Palaga's Player Profile:
This was on the Heraldnet.com
Silvertips acquire backup goaltender from Kamloops
Everett gives up a sixth-round pick in 2020 for 18-year-old netminder Max Palaga
by Joshua Horton
Monday, October 29, 2018
Sports SilvertipsSilvertips blog
The Everett Silvertips acquired 2000-born goaltender Max Palaga from the Kamloops Blazers in exchange for a sixth-round bantam pick in 2020, the team announced Monday.
“We were able to agree to a deal with Kamloops there and we’re hoping we’ll get him to report this week and be one of our two guys moving forward, at least for the next little bit,” Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson said.
Palaga, 18, played in 17 games last season for the Blazers, posting a 3.71 goals allowed average and a .875 save percentage. He was reassigned to the Venom Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) at the start of this season. He’s recorded a 1.77 (GAA) and a .943 save percentage for the Vipers. Palaga didn’t make the team out of training camp, as Kamloops features overage netminder Dylan Ferguson, a Vegas Golden Knights prospect, and 16-year-old rookie Dylan Garand, who some view as a rising star.
The Kamloops native will slide in as Dustin Wolf’s backup, either for the remainder of the season or until 16-year-old goaltender Blake Lyda returns from an upper-body injury sustained during a morning skate before the Silvertips’ 5-3 win over Edmonton on Oct. 12. Initially, the Silvertips were optimistic Lyda would return in two to four weeks, but he will be out “at least another month,” Davidson said Monday.
The acquisition of Palaga provides Everett a seasoned backup behind Wolf, who has played every minute of Everett’s 15 games this year.
“As of right now, Mr. Wolf has been carrying the load and I’m sure he’ll continue to,” Davidson said. “But this guy here in Max Palaga is a someone that’s already played in a number of games in the league and he’s a year older than both Wolf and (No. 3 goalkeeper Danton) Belluk, so we feel comfortable that he can come and challenge for some minutes.”
Davidson said he’s not sure what will happen when Lyda returns and the Silvertips will address who sticks as Wolf’s backup when the time comes.
“It’s a short-term fix,” Davidson said of the trade. “I’m not sure what’s in store for the long-term.”
Belluk, who was recalled for the Silvertips’ Eastern Conference road trip after Lyda’s injury, was reassigned to his midget team, the Eastman Selects. He did not appear in a game while on the Silvertips’ roster.
“He needs to be playing somewhere,” Davidson said.
Notes
Very interesting scenario. First Max must get in a couple of games and then must play extremely well. He needs to show that he is a better goalie than they project Lyda to be. If that all happens he may stay, if not he will he heading somewhere else for an opportunity. No pressure at all. He certainly gambled a lot when he left the Vipers. Hope all goes well for him.
ReplyDeleteA very interesting read for sure. You have to wonder what will happen with Palaga once Everett's backup goaltender is healthy and returns to the lineup? The Silvertips wont keep three goaltenders. Will Palaga return to Vernon? I highly doubt it. My guess is if the Silvertips don't keep Palaga they will trade him/his rights to another Western Hockey League team and he will move along and continue his career in Major junior.
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