Tigers’ rookie Rybinski reaping the benefits of hard work

By Ryan McCracken on September 14, 2017.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

With his first season of Western HockeyLeague eligibility on the horizon, Henry Rybinski dedicated his summer to tacking on strength.

The 16-year-old Medicine Hat Tigers forward started working out with Scott Hebert out of Vancouver’s Excel Fitness to start the summer with the goal of entering training camp with a stronger frame and a new sense of confidence.

“That was one of the things I really needed to work on. Through that training I feel like Ireally stepped up my game. I’m a lot quicker, stronger and faster and I feel like that’s really going to help me in my game throughout the year,” said Rybinski, who posted 46 points in 37 games with the British Columbia Major Midget Hockey League’s Greater Vancouver Canadiens last season. “I started in spring and during that time we worked on weight training. As it got closer to training camp we switched over and started doing more jumps and explosive power.”

With four assists through his first three pre-season games, the hard work seems to have paid off. But Rybinski knows it’s only beginning. The 6-foot, 170-pound Vancouver product sought out Tigers assistant coach Joe Frazer earlier this week and asked where he needed to improve his game in order to find some ice time with the team this season. Frazer told the young playmaker to focus on shooting the puck as well as dishing it off.

“I’m going to try to improve,” said Rybinski. “After practices I’ll just work on it and hopefully I’ll start to use it in games and score some goals.”

While he hasn’t been putting the puck in the net himself, Rybinski has demonstrated a strong sense of vision and a keen eye for the pass through three pre-season games, all while gathering a good deal of chemistry with linemate Jaxon Steele. Now they have one game left to make their mark before finding out if they’ve made the roster for opening night.

“I’ve enjoyed playing with him and I feel like we’ve got some really good chemistry going right now,”said Rybinski. “I think I see the ice pretty well.I understand where guys are going, but also the other guys are bearing on pucks so it’s not just me making those plays.”

Rybinski and the Tigers close out their pre-season schedule Saturday in RedDeer against the Rebels before kicking off the regular season next Friday in Lethbridge against the Hurricanes.

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