Meeting the next generation

By Ryan McCracken on November 22, 2018.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

The Medicine Hat Tigers spent Wednesday night skating alongside the next generation of hopeful hockey stars.

Every player on the roster was on the ice alongside dozens of young fans for the team’s annual Skate with the Tigers event in support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Medicine Hat and District, and alternate captain Ryan Jevne says he may have seen a few future Tigers in the mix.

“There’s got to be a couple,” said Jevne. “There’s always a couple of hometown kids who end up making the team. It’s a dream of theirs so if any of them end up doing it, that’s awesome for them.”

Tigers defenceman and Redcliff product Dylan MacPherson added he believes it’s important to take a break from the team’s busy schedule and give back to both the community that raised him and the fans that support him and his teammates on a nightly basis.

“When we get the opportunity we take advantage of it,” said MacPherson. “It’s nice to come out here and see the little guys, the future of hockey, out here skating around with us, and our fans who come to all our games to support us. It’s nice to come out and give back a little bit when we can.”

The Tabbies all made a point of interacting with as many young fans as possible, signing autographs, sharing stories and giving out a few pointers on the ice as well.

“I think it’s huge for us. We move to this town as young kids and the whole community really makes us feel at home É so if we can do our part to make an impact it’s huge for us,” said Jevne, adding it appeared to be the biggest crowd he’s seen in his tenure with the team. “In my four years here this is the biggest turnout we’ve had, it seems. It’s good that people enjoy coming and they keep coming back.”

The Tigers continue their community events calendar with the Medicine Hat News Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 1 against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Former Tigers defenceman David Quenneville scored the coveted Teddy Bear Toss goal in last season’s game, opening things up for a guaranteed new scorer this year.

When pressed for a prediction, both Jevne and MacPherson agreed that centre Ryan Chyzowski seems destined to make it rain teddy bears this year.

“That’s a big one, but I think Chyzowski,” said MacPherson.

“He’s had a hot stick lately so if anybody is going to do it, it’s probably going to be that guy,” added Jevne.

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