Fischer leaves Tigers with more questions than answers

By Ryan McCracken on October 10, 2017.

NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN Medicine Hat Tigers forward Zach Fischer and Regina Pats forward Robbie Holmes fight during the second period of Friday's Western Hockey League game at the Canalta Centre. 

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

The Medicine Hat Tigers have moved Zach Fischer to the suspended list.

The 20-year-old offensive enforcer left the team Monday after a lengthy discussion with the coaching staff and his agent. While Fischer didn’t offer any specifics and declined to comment on his decision to leave, Tigers head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston says he’s likely looking toward his professional future after being selected by the Calgary Flames in the fifth round of the NHL draft.

“He came in and got his gear yesterday morning, and I think he’s going to Calgary to spend some time with their staff and work through some personal issues,” said Clouston. “He said he wasn’t in a good space. I know that Calgary has asked him to come and sort of spend a little bit of time there. So we spent a lot of time on Sunday talking with him and talking with his agent and trying to get to the bottom of it but they didn’t give us any specifics.”

While the Tigers lose a 6-foot-2, 205-pound 30-goal scorer in Fischer, the move clears up Medicine Hat’s overage situation, allowing the Tabbies to retain forward Mark Rassell, defenceman Kristians Rubins and goaltender Michael Bullion

“Bully’s really done lots of good things, he really has,” said Clouston. “My guess is somebody might have picked him up if he was waived today.”

Clouston added the Tigers will have their hands full offensively for the next little while, as Fischer’s departure adds to a growing list of injured forwards. Max Gerlach is likely to miss the next few games after taking a slash to the face from Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Brayden Pachal — who is awaiting the official decision on a suspension — while Jaeger White suffered an injury during Monday’s practice and will be a game-time decision for Wednesday’s matchup against the Everett Silvertips at the Canalta Centre.

“It’s going to be a challenge up front for a little while,” said Clouston. “We’ll go with seven D and we’ll go with (Jordan) Hollett and Bullion over the next couple of games and see where it goes.”