NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN
Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Cole Clayton (34) celebrates with teammate Ryan Chyzowski after scoring a goal against the Calgary Hitmen in a Western Hockey League game on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Co-op Place. -- NEWS FILE PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN
ktaniguchi@medicinehatnews.com@kellentaniguchi
From the mountains to the coulees, Medicine Hat became a second home for Tigers’ captain Ryan Chyzowski.
Chyzowski hails from Kamloops, and said when he found out he was drafted by the Tabbies in 2015 he didn’t know much about the city.
“I remember when I got drafted, I didn’t really even know where Medicine Hat was,” said Chyzowski with a laugh. “One of my brother’s good buddies, Chad Butcher, was from Kamloops as well and he was playing on the Tigers at the time, so I didn’t really know a whole lot or what to expect but I kind of was familiar with him on the team and he had all good things to say about it.”
Chyzowski said it didn’t take him long to start bonding with the team and some of the best memories he has with the Tigers are spending time with his teammates.
“Any time in the dressing room or just spending time after practice kind of hanging out, and hanging out in the weight room with the boys is pretty special,” he said. “Even bus trips around the road, that was one thing we missed out on this year, just bonding on the road. I think those would be the best memories, especially on those long road trips going west to B.C. or going down to the States.”
The captain has also improved his game every year with the team, setting career highs with 34 goals and 69 points in the 2019-20 season. He’s continued his strong play into the shortened 2020-21 season with 29 points in 22 games. Chyzowski says coming into this year he was unsure if they would get to play at all, so he was happy to be able to lace up his skates for his final WHL season.
“I think I was just excited to be back in Medicine Hat and I was taking it week by week and trying to enjoy my last year as a Tiger and just basically trying to get better still,” said Chyzowski. “It’s something that all of us in our 20s wanted, to keep playing hockey. We want to become pro hockey players. Obviously, it’s a tough year but it’s still something you’ve got to battle through and still try and work to get better every day.”
As of now, Chyzowski hopes to sign a professional hockey contract and he thinks his time in the Hat has prepared him for that next step.
“I’d say it’s the best junior hockey league in the world and I think it gives you the most preparation to translate to pro hockey. Especially with the coaches I’ve had over the years, I think they’ve all been great in preparing all the players, especially myself, and just preparing us for pro hockey. I think it’s just something you learn over the years how to become a pro, how to play like a pro and just what it takes every day to get better and be consistent in your efforts,” he said.
Chyzowski is leaving Medicine Hat with a “C” on his jersey and he says he’s learned a lot from past captains and has grown as a leader throughout his time with the team. He says he had good leaders when he first joined the team and has been able to use his leadership skills this season with a young Tigers roster.
“I think it goes along with kind of just being a good teammate, being a good friend. You get a lot more out of guys from that and I think it really makes people respect you and want to do things for you,” said Chyzowski. “I think that’s what has always made our team so great is we’ve always had such a great close-knit team and basically a family in there that we always wanted to go the extra mile for each other.”
Chyzowski says he’s gotten used to the coulees and prairies over the years and will always consider Medicine Hat his second home.
“I feel just as comfortable here as I do back in Kamloops. So, it’s something that will stick with me forever,” he said.
