Jari Erricson had half of his 18th birthday wish granted.
"I'd like to score a goal and have a win," says Erricson, prior to his Everett Silvertips 5-2 victory over the Prince George Cougars on Friday at CN Centre. " A win tonight would be very nice."
Erricson didn't get a goal, but he did contribute an assist on teammate Ryan Chynoweth's first Western Hockey League goal after throwing the puck into a scramble in the crease from the side of the net for Chynoweth.
The Prince George product is in his second full season with the Silvertips and anticipates a frantic finish as the 'Tips try to surpass the Cougars and Victoria Royals for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"It's been a bit of a rough season but we're starting to improve," says Erricson. "People are starting to realize what our goals on the ice are and we're completing those and executing a lot better."
The 'Tips (12-30-1-8) have a season-high six wins in January after sweeping the two-game series in Prince George. It surpasses the four wins the team had in October.
For Erricson helping Everett get into the playoffs would mean more exposure to NHL scouts as he's eligible for the 2012 entry draft in June, and like most players in the WHL, the left-winger has the dream of wearing an NHL jersey.
When the Silvertips called Erricson's name in the second round (29th overall) during the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft he vowed he'd make the team as a 16 year old. A goal he achieved after playing one season with the B.C. Major Midget League Cariboo Cougars.
In two seasons with the Silvertips, Erricson has played in 108 games and recorded 10 goals and 14 assists. At six-feet, 180-pounds Erricson has racked up 65 penalty minutes and had a goal and helper in three playoff games with Everett last season.
The only glaring blemish on Erricson's resume is the minus-19, but on a club that has surrendered 203 goals - second most in the Western Conference to the Royals' 240 - it's not surprising. The only two Silvertips on the plus-side of the ledger are Ryan Harrison at plus-1 and Zach McPhee at plus-5.
Silvertips' head coach Mark Ferner says he's not concerned about statistics for any of his players.
"He's been playing really well for us, maybe he hasn't put up the numbers that he's wanted to, but at the same time he's very responsible [on the ice]," says Ferner. "Right now, it's just the effort and Jari's starting to figure that out as are all the guys."
Ferner says Erricson fits in nicely among his Silvertips' teammates.
"Jari doesn't have very many bad traits that's for sure," adds Ferner. "He's a very popular player within our dressing room."
Erricson says he tries to model his game after the Calgary Flames' Jarome Iginla because of Iggy's ability to lead both on and off the ice.
"I try to lead by example out on the ice and play my hardest there and get the guys motivated a bit in the room as much as I can," says Erricson.
His teammates say Erricson is one of the quieter guys on a team not known for being too vocal.
"He's one of the gentler souls," says Harrison, 19, who has played on the Silvertips with Erricson since January 2011. "Once you get to know him he kind of opens up."
Erricson and the Silvertips bussed home after Saturday's 4-3 win in Prince George to prepare for a trip to Portland on Friday where they'll play the Winterhawks.
