Tigers get new voice to start season

By JAMES TUBB on October 1, 2021.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

It’s not how Scott Roblin wanted to become the voice of the Tigers.

“It’s an incredible opportunity, I wish it came under better circumstances in regards to Rids. But I’m humbled and I’m honoured that Bob, the Tigers organization and CHAT have taken this chance on me,” Roblin said.

Bob Ridley, the voice of the Tigers since the franchise joined the Western Hockey League in 1970, will not be on the call to start the season as he is currently undergoing radiation treatment in Lethbridge.

It will be the first time in 52 years he isn’t starting the season behind the mic. Ridley, who called his 4,000th Tigers game last season, says the prognosis is good and that he has a great staff of doctors at his side – including former Tigers defenceman, Blair St. Martin, who played 284 games for the franchise and is the father of Medicine Hat rookie Hunter St. Martin.

While Ridley is going through and recovering from treatments, Roblin will slot in behind the mic and try to fill large shoes. He has experience calling play-by-play in the SJHL for the Melfort Mustangs and Nipawin Hawks. Still, filling Ridley’s role is something he admits won’t be easy.

“It’s a tall task, I think I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous. It’s definitely a huge hole to fill in the beginning here with Rids being gone,” he said.

Roblin will become just the second person in Tigers history to step behind the mic to start a season. It’s an opportunity he says is not lost on him.

“It’s a pretty huge honour and I don’t take lightly what this opportunity and calling games will mean. It will be a big change,” Roblin said.

He is not sure how many games he will be sitting in for Ridley to start the season, but says he’s willing and able to fill in as he can.

The two, Roblin and Ridley, worked some games together during last season’s COVID-shortened campaign. They both spoke highly of working together.

“You can’t do it forever,” Ridley said. “Eventually you’re going to have to hand the torch over to somebody. Scott and I worked together last year in that short season and he did an outstanding job as far as colour is concerned.

“He’s got play-by-play experience and I think he will do a bang-up job. He’s a great young broadcaster, handles himself with a lot of poise and everything else, I think he’ll do a great job.”

Being able to work alongside the Tigers legend was an experience Roblin won’t forget and one where he learned a lot about broadcasting and the impact of junior hockey on the fans.

“It was one of the best experiences of my broadcast career getting to call with Rids and getting to be back in the booth, it was a fantastic experience,” Roblin said.

“I learned more being on the road with him. Just being around him swapping stories, (he’s) just a truly good person. Someone who really cares not only about hockey but those who are around the game as well. Whether that’s players, the coaches. In my case as a broadcast partner, just that comfort and openness he brought everything either outside the booth or inside is the reason Bob Ridley is Bob Ridley. He’s one of the best people in hockey.”

For the veteran play caller, it’s not going to be easy missing the start of the Tigers season against Swift Current, it’s been his whole life. He says he owes a lot of thank-yous to the Maser family that owns the Tigers, CHAT radio, former players who have reached out, the fans who make it all possible and most importantly his family for being along for the ride.

“My wife Deb especially and the rest of my family for putting up with me for all these years,” Ridley said. “There’s a lot of nights I wasn’t home and with driving the bus alongside broadcasting, I’m sure there were some anxious moments on behalf of my wife when the weather was bad. If it wasn’t for having the support of my family and a lot of people, and a lot of fans who have always been in my corner. It’s tough to let that go and I’m not so sure that I can just yet,” Ridley said.

He wants Tigers fans to embrace the job Roblin will do in his place and says he appreciates all the support they have given him over his 51-year career.

“He’s an outstanding young guy and he will do a great job. I just want to thank all of the fans for their tremendous support over the last 51 seasons … it’s been tremendous, there have been so many wonderful people I have met over the years and I will continue to be in their debt for what they have done for myself, my wife and my family.”

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