NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Josh Van Mulligen makes a pass across ice in the offensive end in the first period of a 5-2 win at Co-op Place over the Regina Pats on Sept. 20. The 20-year-old blue liner has been out with injury since the season opener but is expected to return sometime this weekend.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The pride of Medicine Hat has returned to the Tigers’ blue line.
Local product Josh Van Mulligen was in the Medicine Hat lineup on Friday as the Tigers hosted the Edmonton Oil Kings. The overage defenceman has been out of the lineup since the season opener on Sept. 20 against the Regina Pats where he was hit from behind into the boards, suffering an upper-body injury.
It’s the second straight yea he’s started the season with an injury, suffering an upper body injury in his second game of the 2024-25 season.
“It’s definitely tough, like those first couple games are so important, that’s kind of where everybody gets the rust out from the summer,” Van Mulligen said. “I kind of missed out on that. It’s tough being the second year in a row, but I’m just looking forward to being back.”
The injury last year snapped a 137-game ironman streak for the career Tigers. He says the rehab process this year and keeping himself busy while his team plays was easier having gone through the process in the last 12 months.
“Last year was kind of one of the first years I was injured, missing quite a bit of time, so I had no experience with it,” Van Mulligen said. “Obviously it helped me, knowing what I need to do to get my body ready to play again.”
Van Mulligen got back on the ice as the Tigers returned from the B.C. division road trip and worked into full practice this week ahead of the pair of home games. He’s also been watching along all season, liking what he sees from the group and all the talented pieces they have.
He says they have to continue playing as a team.
“Build those bonds, we’re 17 games into the season, so there’s not really any new faces anymore,” Van Mulligen said. “Just keep working hard and playing as a team and just winning hockey games.”
His return to the lineup marks the first time this season the Tigers have seen all three overager skaters dressing on the same night. Forward Ethan Neutens missed the first 12 games of the year with a lower-body injury. Fellow overager Misha Volotovskii has played in all 17 games, sitting tied for second in team scoring with eight goals and 14 points, entering play Friday.
Van Mulligen will continue donning an ‘A’ on his jersey, named assistant captain ahead of the season opener. He’s enjoyed working with the group as much as he could while hurt, something he says will get easier to do once he’s back in the orange and black.
“We’ve been gelling good off the ice. It’s tough when I’m not out there with the guys, that’s a big part of it, but I’m happy with the work I’ve done so far and I’m looking forward to playing again.”
The Tigers finish the weekend Saturday hosting the Brandon Wheat Kings for the first time this season.
