Tigers alumni take to Twitter to thank departing coach Shaun Clouston

By RYAN MCCRACKEN on June 1, 2019.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken

Medicine Hat Tigers alumni came out of the woodwork Thursday to show support for the team’s departing head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston.

Many of Clouston’s former players took to Twitter to share their thoughts and memories after hearing the news that he and the Tigers had mutually decided to part ways after 16 seasons with the club.

“He’s just a down to earth guy and we’re going to miss him,” Tigers captain James Hamblin said in a phone call with the News. “He gave me an opportunity, he also gave a lot of other guys an opportunity to play in this league, and not just give us an opportunity but to let us develop and push us to be our best.”

From recent departures like David Quenneville and Chad Butcher, to farther-removed faces like Jake Doty and Tyler Bunz, it seemed everyone who played under Clouston had something to say about the way he impacted their lives as a coach and mentor.

“Couldn’t have asked for anything more from you in my time as a Tiger,” Doty tweeted, who played on the Tigers for two seasons from 2012 to 2014, and now competes with the ECHL’s Allen Americans. “You challenged me, gave me confidence, and believed in me and our teams. You taught me things I still use as a player and person today.”

“Best four years of my life playing for you and the Tigers organization,” echoed Bunz, who played with the team from 2008 to 2012.

David Quenneville played his entire WHL career under Clouston and said he was disappointed to hear the Tigers will be moving forward without him, claiming the years he spent in orange and black were the best of his life as well.

“Looking back on things, the best five years of my life wouldn’t have been possible without @ShaunClouston,” tweeted Quenneville, a signed New York Islanders prospect who competed with the ECHL’s Worcester Railers this season. “From our first phone call after the draft, to our journey with Hockey Canada and to the last time I put on that Tigers jersey… Cluey, thank you for letting us players be ourselves, trusting us and allowing us to make mistakes.”

Kristians Rubins – a Latvian blueliner who filled a rare overage import spot under Clouston in 2017-18 – insisted he would have never had the chance to grow his game in Canada if not for his former Tabby coach and GM.

“Would have never made it to NA if it was not for @ShaunClouston,” said Rubins, who now plays for the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers, and also took in 15 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies this year. “He brought me as an import, but treated me like one of his own. Thankful for the opportunity he gave me and to be part of an amazing two years as a Tiger.”

Butcher – who broke the 100-point barrier in 2016-17, his final season with the Tigers – expressed his belief that Clouston’s guidance not only helped him become a better hockey player, but a better person away from the rink, too.

“I’m thankful for all the times you challenged and pushed me to help me become a better player and person,” Butcher tweeted. “Through good and bad I’m lucky to have spent my five years in the WHL in a Tigers uniform under your guidance.”

Matt Bradley – who was traded from Medicine Hat to the Regina Pats for his overage season in 2017 – said there’s no denying the amount of passion and dedication Clouston put into developing his players.

“@ShaunClouston put his heart and soul into developing young men into successful hockey players,” said Bradley, who spent this season playing alongside Rubins on the Growlers. “I’m very grateful for my time having Shaun as a coach. The @tigershockey and city of Medicine Hat were extremely lucky to have him.”

Hamblin added Clouston may appear gruff on the surface, but he truly cared – not just for the development of his players on and off the ice, but for their personal well being as well.

“He’s a very personable guy,” said Hamblin, who lost his mother to cancer in 2017. “Sometimes he has a little bit of trouble showing it but he always really cares about his players, whether that’s just saying hi, or for example, he let me go home and see my mom when she was not doing well.”

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