Van Impe getting a good look

By Sean Rooney on September 19, 2018.

srooney@medicinehatnews.com @MHNRooney

Eric Van Impe knows there’s not a lot he can do as a 16-year-old to get playing time in the WHL outside of trying his best and getting better every day.

A bit of luck won’t hurt, either.

Van Impe and other Medicine Hat Tigers defencemen stand to see some more ice than they might have expected when the regular season starts Friday. Overagers Dylan MacPherson and Linus Nassen were both cut by the Florida Panthers Tuesday, only to be sent up the east coast to Springfield, Mass. where they’ll now attend the training camp of the American Hockey League’s Thunderbirds.

“You can only do so much for when you’re in the lineup, so I’m going to try to make the most of my opportunities,” said Van Impe, acquired a year ago in the deal that sent Zach Fischer to Spokane. “I’ve got to learn from them, see how to better myself and take advantage of the opportunities I’m given.”

Van Impe got into a couple games in the orange and black last season, then added “eight or nine pounds” of muscle this summer in hopes he can hold his own and stay in the WHL. He put up 33 points in 34 games with the Calgary Northstars midget AAA club, showing he can help on both ends of the ice.

Given that the Tigers don’t truly know how long it’ll be until they have an answer on MacPherson and Nassen’s pro situations, Van Impe and others will stay. They traded 17-year-old forward Jalen Price to Everett Tuesday in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in 2021, and have seven blueliners in town ahead of Friday’s opener in Lethbridge.

Assistant coach Joe Frazer also confirmed that Ryan Chyzowski was released back to the team from the Vegas Golden Knights, meaning the only Tigers technically still at camp are David Quenneville and Mason Shaw, neither of whom are expected back in Medicine Hat after signing pro deals in the off-season. Goalie Jordan Hollett was sent back from Ottawa over the weekend.

“We’re taking it day-by-day with those two,” said Frazer of MacPherson and Nassen. “Obviously with Nassen and Dylan still gone (the rookies) will be playing big minutes this weekend.”

Van Impe isn’t overwhelmed by that prospect. The son of Darren Van Impe, who played in 411 NHL games and 226 in the German DEL before retiring in 2008, he’s grown up around high-level hockey and has a good idea of what it takes at the major-junior level.

“I’m a pretty calm guy in general,” said the 6-foot-1 player who credits his dad for giving him a high hockey IQ. “Obviously there’s going to be some nerves, the home opener and season opener for this weekend if I do end up getting in the lineup, but I think I’ll be able to hold my own, be calm enough to play good.”

Frazer’s seen good progression from Van Impe in the past month, which is a big reason he’s still with the team now. It’s still early though and nobody’s putting pressure on the youngster. He’s got lots of time to become a regular in the future.

“He’s had more and more chances offensively, an offensive defenceman who plays well in his own end,” said Frazer. “Just talking to the players, they’re getting excited but it’s important especially this time of year to stay in the moment, take one day at a time with practices and the weekend’s going to come regardless.”

Medicine Hat is at Lethbridge Friday before hosting the Hurricanes at Canalta Centre Saturday night.

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