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With the $2,000 expansion fee in hand and a promise of a new rink, three Hat businessmen were prepared to bring the upstart Western Canada Hockey League to the city in late 1969, reported News city editor Pete Mossey.
The News is reprinting notable coverage from our past editions as it prepares to celebrate its 140th publishing year later in 2025.
It seems apropos this week to look at the origin of the Tigers, or at least the modern edition of the club that itself is now 55 years old and looking for its sixth league title.
In 1967, businessmen Rod Carry and George Maser, along wth former NHLer Joe Fisher, began talks with the new Western Canadian major junior circuit.
It would revive the team name from Medicine Hat’s junior entry from the 1950s, and ironically involve discussions with a former Tiger and WCHL founder.
Edmonton Oil Kings president “Wild” Bill Hunter had been business manager of the original Tigers squad that played at the Arena Gardens in downtown Medicine Hat. That had burned down the previous spring, ending the playoffs and essentially the existence of the Joyline Blades, a senior amateur team sponsored by Carry’s Joyline trucking.
However, it launched a drive to build a new “Arena Convention Centre” at breakneck speed by City Hall, and eight other WCHL governors were convinced Medicine Hat’s bid was solid.
They would take the ice after the new Arena was completed ahead of the 1970-71 season.
