Tigers deal Fischer for Ostir, Van Impe and a pick

By Ryan McCracken on October 20, 2017.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

The Medicine Hat Tigers made the most of a tough situation Thursday, dealing overage forward Zach Fischer to the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for 18-year-old winger Hayden Ostir, 16-year-old defensive prospect Eric Van Impe and a second-round pick in the 2019 WHL bantam draft.

Fischer opted to part ways with the Tigers on Oct. 9. The timing of his decision allowed the Tigers to firm up their overage trio of Mark Rassell, Kristians Rubins and Michael Bullion while keeping Fischer’s rights by moving him to the suspended list and eventually landing him a new home in Spokane.

“I think it’s a good deal both ways. I think it’s the opportunity Fischer was looking for and Spokane is getting an NHL-drafted guy who can be a league leader in a number of different ways,” said Tigers head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston. “In return we went a little bit the other direction, a little bit more for the future, but in saying that they’re some really good players, and with the pick involved, we’re excited about it.”

Ostir is on pace for a career year after starting his season with three goals and four assits through his first 10 games. While the 18-year-old Winnipeg product won’t be available for tonight’s game against the Kootenay Ice, Ostir could make his debut with the Tigers as early as Sunday in Lethbridge against the Hurricanes —while the Chiefs make their bi-annual trip to the Gas City on Wednesday night.

“Hopefully he’s able to practice with us on Saturday and be ready to go on Sunday,” said Clouston of Ostir.

While Van Impe likely won’t debut with the team for some time, the 15-year-old Calgary product is on a hot streak in the Alberta Midget Hockey League. After recording five goals and 10 assists in 34 games with the Calgary Northstars last season, Van Impe has entered this year with three goals and five helpers in his first six games. Van Impe plays alongside fellow Tigers prospect Nick McCarry in Calgary, and after making the trip to watch the pair last week Clouston says he’s feeling good about the future.

“Eric is a real good player. He’s off to a great start, he plays lots of minutes and he’s one of their top guys. He plays penalty kill and power play and he’s a very intelligent player,” said Clouston. “It’s a big jump from midgets to the Western Hockey League, but with the scouts and what we’ve seen we do believe he’ll be a real good player for us for a number of years to come.”

Despite the additions, the Tigers will remain shorthanded entering Friday’s home game against the ice, with Jaeger White considered a game-time decision and Max Gerlach still sidelined due to dental procedures. The 19-year-old Texan took a slash to the face from Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Brayden Pachal on Oct. 7 and has been sidelined ever since. Pachal received a three-game suspension. Gerlach has missed two games — the first of his Tigers career.

“I’ve got to get a couple root canals next Tuesday but I’m really hoping I can get back on the ice next week (Friday) against Moose Jaw,” said Gerlach, who will require extensive work on his front two teeth. “One of them is completely dead already and the other one is on its way so I’ll have to get caps so they’re not a gross colour.”

The Tabbies enter Friday’s conclusion to a five-game home stand on the heels of back-to-back victories for a 5-3-0-0 record. While the Ice have been basement dwellers for the past few seasons, some off-season rebranding and a new outlook has Kootenay off to a 4-5-1-0 start.

“They’re kind of erasing the way everyone looks at them in the league. They’re going to compete and we need to be ready,” said Tigers defenceman Davd Quenneville, who was named to Team WHL for the Canada-Russia Series earlier this week. “That was one of my goals last year and I just missed it. I had a really good start to the season last year, but it’s obviously really exciting to be there this year.”

The Tigers and Ice drop the puck at 7:30 p.m. Jordan Hollett is expected to start between the pipes for Medicine Hat.