Everett, Wash.- A special annual event in Snohomish County sees the Everett Silvertips swap their skates for server trays as they rub elbows with some of the team’s biggest fans.
Tip-A-Tip sees team players and staff divide up among four El Paraiso Mexican Grill locations in Everett, Monroe and Snohomish to deliver snacks, sign autographs, and take pictures.
“My favorite part about Tip-A-Tip is just seeing the number of people showing up,” Jaxsin Vaughan said. “I like hearing different stories, learning about our fans and interacting with as many people as I can.
The shy fans I like to try and bug, get them to talk and make them comfortable. They ask you about your day… If they’re players, they ask you what it takes to get better. Sometimes it’s just random stuff like video games or what they did at school. I just enjoy listening.”
Fans can also ‘tip’ players $5 for raffle tickets for a chance to snag signed sticks, pucks, card sets, bobbleheads, and other merchandise, with all proceeds benefitting the Naval Recruiting District Seattle Officers’ Fund.
“We did manage to sell pretty much everything we had, so ranking our skills as salesmen? I’d say 8.5,” Vaughan added. “We got the job done, I think.”
All told, Tip-A-Tip has raised more than $10,000 over the past four seasons for the local Navy.
“Our relationship with the Navy has been an integral part of our organization dating all the way back to the naming of our mascot, Lincoln,” Silvertips Ticket Specialist and Navy Liaison Mackenzie McLeod said. “Our on-ice swearing-in ceremony is a special moment honoring their commitment to our country. Tip-A-Tip is a terrific hands-on way to give back to those who serve and celebrate those in our community.”
Tip-A-Tip will be back for 2025-26 as the Silvertips defend their regular season title and pursue the team’s first WHL Championship.
The Western Hockey League strives to promote and foster a welcoming environment in communities close to our 22 clubs in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Every team has the creative freedom to allow their players and staff to work with the organizations and groups that they are most passionate about. The end goal is to create and maintain long-lasting relationships and ongoing partnerships within their community.
Through the McSweeney’s WHL Community Collective, we aim to highlight these outstanding initiatives done by each club throughout the season.
