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Kevin Constantine returning to Everett Silvertips — reports

Neate Sager

When Everett Silvertips GM Garry Davidson canned coach Mark Ferner in January, the reason was said to be philosophical differences.

Ferner was a defensive guy; Davidson wanted to Everett to play an up-tempo style patterned on the Portland Winterhawks, his former organization. So it's a bit of twist to learn that Everett's coaching search might settle on the worthy-of-Webster's working definition of defensive hockey, former NHL coach Kevin Constantine, who steered the expansion 'Tips to the WHL final during their maiden season a decade ago.

Hey, it saves on a plane ticket for the 10-year reunion of that team. Both Gregg Drinnan and ticinonews are reporting Constantine, who was scouting for HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland after being dismissed as its coach last October, will take the job.

Suffice to say, espousing a wish to play an attacking style and then hiring Constantine is cause to furrow one's brow in a vain attempt to understand the situation. Taking a first-year team to the final was a coup in 2004, but there was reason to refer to Everett as the Silvertraps during that era.

From Silvertips beat writer Nick Patterson (@nickhpatterson):

I'm not sure how much credence to give to this particular rumor. One of the reasons Mark Ferner was fired was because his style of play was too defensive for Tips general manager Garry Davidson, who wants Everett to play an up-tempo offensive style. Constantine's style is often held up as the paragon of defensive hockey.

That said, there's no denying the success the Tips had during Constantine's four seasons behind the bench. And I know Constantine has applied for WHL coaching jobs in recent years. So who knows? But if it does happen, it would be quite the splash. (Everett Herald)

Of course, any time a major junior team can land a coach who's been in the NHL, it usually jumps at the chance. Constantine's tactics invariably leave observers shrugging that the ends justify the means, but Everett's six-year skein of finishing either next-to-last or last in the U.S. Division has probably meant those winning times look better in retrospect for the organization. It's also within the realm that the 'Tips, who only scored only 2.38 goals per game last season and have only potential overage Josh Winquist as a returning 50-point scorer, have decided this is the quicker fix. They could fashion a defensive shell around the 18-year-old building blocks, defenceman Mirco Mueller and goalie Austin Lotz, and hope the coaching is flexible enough to let youngsters such as 17-year-old Tyler Sandhu use their skills.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet. Please address any questions, comments or concerns to btnblog@yahoo.ca.