McCarry looking forward to debut

By Ryan McCracken on September 7, 2017.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

Nick McCarry is ready to make his mark with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

The 16-year-old centre found his way onto the Tigers radar after a 56-point season with the Alberta Midget Hockey League’s Calgary Canucks. Despite going overlooked in the WHL entry draft, Tigers head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston says McCarry made an impact at orientation camp in June and has been exceeding expectations ever since.

“He just kept impressing,” said Clouston of McCarry. “He’s always around the puck, he plays with a lot of confidence and he’s able to create with players in his age group and also with some of our veterans.”

McCarry added he felt some anxiety entering June’s orientation camp, but in the time since he’s improved his game on all levels while en route to a WHL contract.

“I came in here with a lot of nerves. It was my first camp and all that, but it was good,” he said. “I’ve just been working out a lot and improving what I need to improve to play this year and have success.”

The 5-foot-7, 135-pound centre is a considerable threat with the puck. With the ability to create and finish plays, McCarry finished his 37-game midget AAA season in Calgary with 26 goals and 30 assists for an average of 1.5 points-per-game before adding four points in five playoff contests.

“He has real quick hands, he’s very crafty,” said Clouston. “He’s definitely a dynamic young player we think has a real bright future.”

The young Calgary product is eligible to fill a full-time role with the team this season, but he’ll have plenty of competition alongside a large crop of talented young players and only a handful of open spots on the roster.

McCarry will make his debut in orange and black for Saturday’s pre-season contest against the Warriors in Moose Jaw.