Pair of Tigers named to Top Prospects Game

By Ryan McCracken on December 14, 2018.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

For the first time in six years, the Medicine Hat Tigers will be represented at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Tigers goaltender Mads Søgaard and winger Josh Williams have been selected to compete on the national stage as part of Don Cherry or Bobby Orr’s bench when the puck drops in Red Deer on Jan. 23.

For Søgaard, it was one heck of a birthday present.

“It was pretty exciting,” said Søgaard, who turned 18 Thursday. “It’s probably one of the biggest prospects events in the whole works, so it’s huge and it’s something I’m really looking forward to. I just want to do well when I get the chance to play there.”

Williams found through his agent a few days ago and was thrilled to reveal his excitement for the upcoming showcase — which will feature scouting staff from across the NHL.

“It’s an amazing feeling. You get to play with the best players in the CHL and get to test your stuff, I’ve been looking forward to it and it’s always been a dream of mine,” said Williams, adding he was proud to see Søgaard’s name on the list as well. “It’s pretty tough coming from the NAHL and then coming up to this league. It’s a lot faster and a lot stronger but he’s adapted really well and he’s having a great year. He’s a great kid too.”

The Tigers used the 32nd overall pick in the off-season’s CHL import draft to bring Søgaard into their system. The 6-foot-7 Dane immediately made a name for himself in the Gas City while compiling some impressive rookie numbers. Entering his final weekend before the holiday break, Søgaard sits fourth in WHL save percentage at .926 and fifth in goals against average at 2.47 with a 9-4-1-2 record. The stellar start also helped earn Søgaard a spot at Denmark’s selection camp for the IIHF World Junior Championship.

“It’s a nice surprise for myself and also for my family back home, seeing me do this well,” said Søgaard. “I think since I got here I just grew with confidence. I’m playing calm and playing my style and I think it’s been working so far.”

Williams joined up with the Tigers as the fifth overall pick in the 2016 WHL bantam draft. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-winger is four points shy of his career best after logging six goals and 10 assists through his first 33 games of the year and seems to be building some chemistry alongside new linemates Ryan Chyzowski and Bryan Lockner.

“We’ve been creating some chances,” he said. “It’s a pretty fresh line. I haven’t really played with any of those guys a lot but I think we’re playing well so far.”

Williams — a 17-year-old Langley product —made his mark on the international stage in August when he helped Canada win gold at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup while sharing the tournament lead in goals with five in five games.

“I’ve always liked pressure, I’ve always liked big games,” he said. “I think you’ve just got to go into it as another hockey game and try to impress.”

Hunter Shinkaruk was the last member of the Tigers to be selected for the Top Prospects Game in 2013. The 24-year-old winger — who now plays for the American Hockey League’s Laval Rocket — was also named an alternate captain for Team Orr under coach Mike McPhee.

The Tigers haven’t sent two players to the game since 2003, when goaltender Kevin Nastiuk suited up for Team Cherry and centre Stefan Meyer competed with Team Orr. Other notable alumni to play at the event include Cam Barker, Tyler Ennis and Emerson Etem, who represented Medicine Hat in 2004, 2008 and 2010, respectively.

NHL Central Scouting will divide the 40 players selected for this year’s event into Team Orr and Team Cherry at a later date.

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