NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Defensmean Eric Van Impe looks for Corson Hopwo in the slot in the Tigers loss to Swift Current last Saturday. Both Van Impe and Hopwo are two of the four over agers on the Tigers as they look to be veteran voices on what could be a young team.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Tigers will lean heavily on their veterans this season.
It won’t be as young of a roster as last season’s was but most of the returning rookies have no more than 22 games played at the WHL level.
It will be veteran guys like Corson Hopwo, Daniel Baker, Eric Van Impe who will be tasked with getting the new guys acclimated to Medicine Hat and being the voice of reason for the other young guys.
“You always have to have a strong leadership group if you are going to win,” associate coach Joe Frazier said.
He says the Tigers current group of leaders have had good examples to learn from in former seasons such as Ryan Chyzowski, James Hablin and Cole Clayton. It is a role that Baker welcomes and he says there are a lot of leaders on this Tigers team.
“… We also have a lot of young guys so we know as leaders we need to step up and make sure they are ready to go and that we are ready to go also.
For Hopwo, being a part of the leadership group is one of his goals and would be an honour for the 20-year-old to join the Tigers historic group of leaders. He says he is excited but nervous in what is his, and other guys on the teams final WHL season.
“A little bit nervous. I think nerves are high during the season. It’s a big season for myself and for all 20-year-olds. I think I am a little bit nervous but I think nerves are good, they bring excitement and I’ll translate into my game.
Van Impe says all of the over age guys get along on the Tigers and are just excited for the season to get underway in their final year.
“We’re all good guys, pretty down to Earth. We’re just excited for the season to get going, we’re working hard, we’re good buddies. It’s obviously good competition but there’s no negative energy around it. We’re just having fun.”
