Tigers Cash-in: sign prospect goaltender Cash Christie

By JAMES TUBB on June 6, 2024.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

The Medicine Hat Tigers added to their goaltending depth with another rookie signing.

The Tigers announced the signing of 15-year-old goaltender Cash Christie, the 83rd pick in the 2024 WHL draft. The North Vancouver product was one of the players Medicine Hat signed at the completion of the prospect camp held over the weekend.

Christie was all smiles speaking to the media before signing and says he enjoyed the weekend and learning what the organization is all about. He liked the compete level at the camp, seeing how hard everyone worked and wanted to win each battle and every drill.

“I’m honoured to be a part of the association, everyone here seems great, so far it’s been really good,” Christie said.

“It was pretty intense, and all the players here are really, really good, especially the older guys. It just shows you what it takes to get to this level.”

Christie played at St. George’s U15 prep school in the CSSHL League last season and had a 9-2-0 record in 14 games, with a 2.79 goals against average and a .906 save percentage, recording one shutout. He added two wins in the playoffs, with a 1.43 GAA and a .959 SV%.

Christie also played four games for St. George’s U17 team, with a 2-1 record, 3.49 GAA and a .929 SV%, notching a shutout. He’ll stay at the prep school for the upcoming season, making the jump to the U18 level.
Christie is the fourth goalie signed with the Tigers’, joining three WHL-ready goalies in Zach Zahara (05), Ethan McCallum (06) and Jordan Switzer (07).

They did not draft a goaltender in the 2023 WHL draft and Tigers head coach and general manager Willie Desjardins says they wanted one in this year’s draft to add to their group and he says they were fortunate to get Cash in the bank.

“He’s done well, a big-game goalie,” Desjardins said. “He’s played well and so when we drafted him it was exciting, we we’re excited about it. Then when he came to camp, we’re even more excited, (he’s) certainly a big addition for us.”

Christie says he didn’t want to be a goaltender when he first started playing hockey, picking up the position when it was his turn in the rotation. He says he then fell in love with it and touts himself as a quick and calm presence in the net.

Christie is already enjoying working with Tigers’ goaltending coach Matt Wong and he’s given him some focuses for the offseason ahead of training camp in the fall.

“A few technical things just in my stance to work on but he wants me to put on some weight and just mainly get stronger,” Christie said.

While Christie is getting his first look at the spotlight, it’s nothing new for his family. Both of the goaltender’s parents, Warren Christie and Sonya Salomaa, are actors.

Christie is known for his work on the ABC drama October Road and on the ABC series Happy Town. He’s also starred in multiple Hallmark Christmas movies. Salomaa is known for her performances in The Collector and Durham County.

Warren was in attendance for Cash’s signing and when asked which characters his dad has portrayed were his favourite, the young net minder couldn’t offer up any names.

“I don’t know, I don’t really watch,” he joked.

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