Van Mulligen proud first WHL goal came in Hat

By JAMES TUBB on March 15, 2022.

Medicine Hat Tigers rookie defenceman Josh Van Mulligen spent his younger years watching the Tabbies compete in the Western Hockey League – and on Saturday, he etched his named into the goal column for the first time in his young career.

The Hatter notched his first in the Tigers 6-2 loss to the Red Deer Rebels Saturday at Co-op place and said it was pretty special to get it at home.

“It’s an honour, growing up watching this team and wanting to play here, scoring that goal is a pretty cool feeling,” said Van Mulligen. “Obviously I went to a lot of games here growing up and to finally score my first goal, it was a pretty cool feeling.”

Associate coach Joe Frazer was all smiles when asked what it meant to see the young defenceman get his first goal.

“It’s a pretty special moment, especially to do it in front of friends and family at home. It’s one of those goals he’ll remember the rest of his life,” Frazer said. “It was great to see.”

The 16-year-old was taken 39th by the Tigers in the 2020 draft and has spent the majority of the season with the South Alberta Hockey Academy in the CSSHL. In 27 games there, he had seven goals and 25 points. With the loss of captain Daniel Baker due to injury, Van Mulligen has joined the Tigers as the season begins to wind down.

He’s one of nine Tigers who played for SAHA before donning the orange and black.

“It’s pretty cool going through this with them and it’s going to be fun playing with them in the future and doing something special here,” Van Mulligen said.

The Tigers and Van Mulligen are in action tonight when they host Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats at Co-op Place. That game gets underway at 7 p.m.