Newest Tigers making the most of camp

By Ryan McCracken on August 25, 2018.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

They may not be eligible to crack the Western Hockey League for another year, but Cole Sillinger and Ashton Ferster wasted no time making their presence known during Medicine Hat Tigers training camp Friday at the Canalta Centre.

The pair of 2018 bantam draft picks combined for Team White’s opening goal just a few minutes into Friday afternoon’s scrimmage against Team Orange —setting the pace in an eventual 6-3 victory and immediately easing the tension for both of the young prospects.

“Yeah, that was good,” said Sillinger. “I just whacked (the puck) down and Ferster was right there, so I gave it to him and he ripped it in.”

“It eased the nerves a lot,” added Ferster. “It was more nerve-wracking coming back (from orientation camp), knowing these guys are a bit older than me, but after this game I feel a lot better knowing I do fit in and can do some stuff better than lots of the other guys. It feels good.”

Neither Sillinger — drafted in the first round at 11th overall — or Ferster — picked 77th overall in the fourth round — will be able to earn a full time role with the Tigers until next season, but that fact won’t stop Sillinger from trying.

“Coming here I just want to try to play my best. Even though I can’t be on the team I’m going to come here and just try to make it even though I can’t. I’m just going to have that mindset so when I come back next year it’s good,” said Sillinger, adding he amped up his off-season routine in anticipation of his first WHL training camp. “I obviously pushed myself a lot harder in the gym and on the ice. I’ve just got to keep pushing because these guys out here are bigger, faster and stronger so I’ve got to get to that level.”

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Tigers forward Gary Haden, who centered Team White’s top line in the 6-3 win over Orange, added Ferster’s opening goal really fired up the bench while painting an impressive picture of the future.

“That can really get you going and get you excited. We really fed off that,” said Haden. “They just kept it simple. We kind of tried to talk to them before to just say ‘Hey, calm down, you’re all here for a reason.’ Sillinger is a first round pick for a reason, he could play in the league right now, I think. Great skater, great vision, great shot … They both found chemistry and they both had a really good game.”

Ferster and Sillinger were able to start building that chemistry a few years ago while playing at tournaments together in Saskatchewan. Sillinger went on to record a staggering 46 goals and 37 assists in 30 games with Canadian Sport School Bantam Hockey League’s Okanagan Academy last season, while Ferster logged 24 goals and 36 assists through 31 contests with the Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League’s Prince Albert Mintos.

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After hearing each other’s names called by the same franchise in the bantam draft, then getting paired up on the same line at training camp, Sillinger says it was hard not to crack a smile.

“It’s just good to be back on his line, he’s got a really good shot and he can make plays,” said Sillinger. “He’s a Sasky boy as well, he’s from Prince Albert, and I played with him a couple years ago now.”

While a permanent roster spot is still on Sillinger’s horizon, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Regina product says the Tabbies have gone out of their way to ensure every player and prospect feels like a pivotal member of the team during training camp.

“All the guys are so good,” he said. “They were talking about what it takes and everything, even (head coach Shaun) Clouston and Joey (Frazer, assistant coach) are talking about team building stuff, it’s really good. It just means so much to be part of that.”

Tigers training camp continues at the Canalta Centre with a full scrimmage between Team Black and Team White Saturday at 11 a.m., followed by mini scrimmages from 6-9 p.m. The camp concludes Sunday with the team’s annual intra-squad game at 10 a.m.

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