Hollett champing at the bit

By Ryan McCracken on September 28, 2017.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

Jordan Hollet is champing at the bit.

It’s been 128 days since the Medicine Hat Tigers acquired the 18-year-old in a trade with the Regina Pats, and while he’s still yet to make his debut in orange and black, that date is finally drawing near.

“The whole summer I wanted to play right away,” said Hollett, who is recovering from a case of mono. “When we had the home opener I went and flipped around the jersey and was looking at it. It was the first time I’d seen it with my name and number on the back.”

Hollett is still listed day-to-day and likely won’t see the ice this weekend. While he insists he could compete if required, Tigers head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston says the team will likely err on the side of caution when it comes to the team’s future between the pipes.

“He said he could play if we wanted him to. I think that’s a great attitude, but right now, unless something drastically changes in the next couple days we’ll give him another week … If we’re going to err, we’re going to give him a little bit of extra time,” said Clouston. “He’s definitely a guy we’re looking at for the next two-to-three years as being our main guy, our starter.”

While he’s been taking in practices and gearing up for his eventual debut, Hollet admits it has been an incredibly tumultuous month. From losing weight due to the illness to ultrasounds and bedrest, the one thing September has been missing for Hollett is hockey.

“It’s been a rough month. It’s easily the roughest month I’ve had to start off a camp,” said Hollett, adding he’s still managed to form some solid relationships with his new teammates. “I’ve only been here in the rink for around a week but I already feel super comfortable with all the guys in there. I’m really starting to get along with the process and I’m really starting to get into good practices now, so it’s been good.”

Thankfully Hollett’s off-season wasn’t consumed by sickness. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Langley, B.C. product had his name called by the Ottawa Senators at the NHL entry draft and went on to compete at development camp in July — something he says should lead to a boost in confidence and composure this season.

“It was a great learning process for me, I learned a lot while I was there that I was able to apply to my game right now. I think that’s really going to help me this year,” said Hollett. “Being with that high a level of coaches and being able to face a higher level of players as well, you learn more things about yourself and what you need to do to be avble to play at that level and to play at this level a lot better.”

While mono did prevent Hollett from returning to Ottawa for training camp this month, he says his sole focus right now is being a member of the orange and black —and that meant recovery over recruitment.

“It was unfortunate that I couldn’t go but at the end of the day I’m a Medicine Hat Tiger right now,” he said. “Hopefully down the road something might happen but for right now I’m 100 per cent focused here.”

Hollett may be a new face, but he insists his goaltending style is something Tigers fans have grown accustomed to in 2017. Much like fan favourite netminder Michael Bullion, Hollett has a penchant for playing the puck.

“It’s part of my game I take seriously,” said Hollett. “I try to do my best and come out. Any time you can prevent your D-men from getting hit, I think that’s a positive.”

For the time being, Hollett says he’ll be keeping a handle on his excitement in order to allow a full and proper recovery, but he expects that anticipation will boil over when he finally gets the nod.

“I really want to get out there but at the same time I’ve got to be careful and make sure I’m 100 per cent,” he said. “But when I get out there for that first game I’m going to be skating pretty quick in warm-ups I’m sure.”

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