Nine years ago, Mitch Love was the cornerstone of the fledgling Everett Silvertips.
The rugged defenseman is one of the most beloved players in franchise history, and it’s only fitting that when he wanted to start his coaching career, he returned to the team he helped put on the hockey map.
“This last summer, with the departure of (assistant coach) Jay Varady, I had talks with (then-general manager) Doug Soetaert,” Love said. “This is something I’ve wanted to do. I’ve never really left the city. It all fell into place after that.”
Love, 27, is in his first year as an assistant coach and the Silvertips’ strength and conditioning coach. It’s not quite the bed of roses it was his first year playing in Everett.
“This year has been a little rough,” said Love, whose team is fighting for a playoff spot at 16-34-1-8. “I never experienced anything like this as a player, but this is how we thought it would be — a rebuilding year.”
Love is learning life at the rink is a lot different as a coach than it is as a player.
“As a player, you worry about yourself,” Love said. “As a coach, you worry about 25 players. I probably drive my wife (Jenni) crazy.”
Love, a native of Quesnel, British Columbia, made his living on the ice as an enforcer — which is evident by the crook in his nose and his 901 career penalty minutes in the WHL. He does not teach fighting as part of his strength and conditioning program, but he is there for those who want a few pointers.
“We have a fairly tough hockey club this year,” Love said. “Bringing in Josh Caron (in a trade with Kamloops) helps. The kids ask me about things, but you can’t teach willingness. You either have it or you don’t.”
The Silvertips acquired Love from the Swift Current Broncos after the 2003 expansion draft. He spent the next two seasons leading Everett to a U.S. Division banner and two playoff trips.
“I wasn’t part of the expansion draft, but Torrie Wheat and I were picked up the same day for a defenseman and a draft pick,” Love said. It was love at first sight for the player and the fans.
The Everett faithful took to Love, who always was willing to drop the gloves and played the game with an endearing passion.
“The first year was an eye-opening experience,” Love said. “Coming from Moose Jaw and Swift Current, and not knowing what to expect, people wrote us off, and rightly so. We rallied around each other. (Coach) Kevin Constantine and his staff were up to the challenge, we had a good goaltender (Jeff Harvey) and the city really embraced us.”
The Colorado Avalanche signed the 6-foot, 175-pound Love to a free-agent contract at the end of his WHL career. He played for five teams in five years in the American Hockey League.
After his third AHL season, Love needed, well, a little love.
“The three years I was with Colorado, I was up in the air with where my career was headed,” Love said. “I placed a call to Kevin (Constantine) and said, ‘I’d like to play for you again.’ ”
Love reunited with Constantine for the 2008-09 season as a member of the Houston Aeros. He also struck up a friendship with former Tri-City defenseman Clayton Stoner, who battled with Love for two seasons in the WHL. Stoner was one of Houston’s top players on the blue line.
“Clayton and I are great buddies,” said Love, who spent his final pro season (2010-11) with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League. “He was in my wedding, and I will be in his this summer. We had some great battles back then. I always enjoyed coming (to Tri-City) to play. I’m glad to see the franchise turned itself around.
“The wall of fame is great. They have had some great players come through here. It’s good for the young players to see. That could be them someday.”