Learning the ropes

By Ryan McCracken on August 26, 2017.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

Transitioning from international to North American ice can prove to be a challenge for imported players in the Western Hockey League, but Mick Kohler doesn’t think it will be too much of an issue.

While the German centre will likely spend his first training camp navigating the corners at the Canalta Centre, with a 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame, Kohler says he’s looking forward to making the shift.

“I think it will be good,” said Kohler, adding he will still need to approach his game differently with less space to work on the sides. “On the bigger rink in Germany you have more time to see your pass or for a shot. Here you’re right into the corner É It’s very different. I played two years ago in Calgary at a tournament that had a smaller-ice rink and I don’t know what’s better.”

Kohler joined up with the Tigers at the CHL import draft in June as the 59th overall selection. The Bonn product put himself on the CHL radar after a highly productive year in his home country with the Deutsche Nachwuchs Liga’s Kolner EC. Kohler came just shy of the two points-per-game plateau with 16 goals and 44 assists in just 30 contests, all while playing to a plus-49 rating.

“I’m excited to be a Tiger and I’m very happy that I’m here,” said Kohler. “I’m a two-way forward. I can play the power play, I can block shots and I see the ice well.”

Kohler also laced them up for 20 games in the DEL2 last season — the second-highest level of hockey in Germany — where he recorded two goals and two assists with Dresdner Eislowen.

“It’s only been a couple of skates but we’ve taken a peek and he looks good. We think he’ll fit in nicely,” said Tigers head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston. “He’s a big, strong guy who appears to have some skill and some intelligence.”

Kohler spent Friday morning’s training camp scrimmage on Team White’s top line alongside Zach Fischer and Ryan Jevne. After taking over the role of Medicine Hat’s enforcer while providing a scoring touch next to departed veterans Chad Butcher and Steven Owre, Fischer says it will definitely be nice to have some added size up front.

“He knows how to get the puck to you, he’s a playmaker and I think being that size he can throw the body a little bit more,” said Fischer, who has also been rooming with Kohler. “The language barrier is a little different. I live with him and it’s going to take some time to get used to talking to him and stuff, but he’s a good player and he’s here for a reason.”

Kohler and the Tigers will close out training camp on Sunday at 10 a.m. with their annual intra-squad game at the Canalta Centre. The Tabbies open the pre-season on Sept. 1 in Lethbridge against the Hurricanes.

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