New Tiger hopes road ends here

By RYAN MCCRACKEN on November 28, 2019.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken

Cyle McNabb is used to packing his bags, but he’s hoping to have found a respite from the road with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

The 19-year-old winger was traded from the Saskatoon Blades to Medicine Hat on Tuesday and arrived in the Gas City the following afternoon ready to make an impact with the Tigers – the fourth Western Hockey League team McNabb has played for.

“It’s kind of easier the second or third time around,” said McNabb, who was acquired in exchange for a sixth-round bantam draft pick in 2021. “The guys here are super welcoming, super nice. Everyone introduced themselves and that makes it a lot easier on me, when guys are there to help me out.”

McNabb started his WHL career with the Vancouver Giants, but was shipped to the Kootenay Ice on Jan. 4, six days before last season’s trade deadline. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Winnipeg product only suited up for three games in Cranbrook before he was moved again – just three days later – to Saskatoon. While he stayed with the Blades for nearly a year, McNabb was inevitably informed that he had been traded yet again during a recent road trip in Kennewick.

“We were doing a two-week road swing and I was in Tri-City when I was notified I was traded to Medicine Hat,” said McNabb, who has yet to get the bulk of his belongings from Saskatoon, including his car. “I hopped on a flight, flew to Seattle, flew to Calgary, flew to here. I arrived late last night and I’m happy to be here … (The Tigers) are a fast, skilled team and I’m excited to join that.”

Tigers head coach and general manager Willie Desjardins says McNabb expressed a desire for a new opportunity after his 39 games with Saskatoon. While he’s happy to give McNabb that chance, Desjardins says he made it clear that he’ll still have to earn his keep with the Tigers.

“I told him that we weren’t going to give him anything, he’d have to work for it. He was good with that, so we’ll see how it works out,” said Desjardins. “He’s got good speed, he’s got good size, where he fits into the lineup, we’ll see … I know he’s a good skater, which I like as well, and new opportunities can bring out different things in players. We’re starting from a fresh start here with him and we’re looking forward to seeing how he does.”

McNabb has collected 10 goals and 15 assists over 137 games in the WHL, including five helpers and a pair of goals in 17 games with Saskatoon this season. He won’t have to wait long before facing his former team for the first time either, as the Blades pull into Medicine Hat Saturday for the Medicine Hat News Teddy Bear Toss.

“It’ll be a little weird playing against those guys,” said McNabb. “I’ve got a lot of buddies over there, but once the puck drops they’re just another opponent. I think it’ll be fun to play against them, I’m looking forward to it.”

The Tigers are currently nursing a handful of bumps and bruises – with defenceman Trevor Longo and forwards Bryan Lockner and Nick McCarry all listed in the day-to-day range with lower-body injuries – however Desjardins says he’s hopeful all three could return for McNabb’s debut on Friday in Moose Jaw against the Warriors.

“Guys are getting better, for sure,” said Desjardins. “They’re getting closer, so we’re hopeful everybody will be ready for the weekend. We’ll have to see, though.”

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