Tigers defence core leading the way

By JAMES TUBB on November 12, 2021.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

Tigers defensemen have played a big role in the first 13 games of the season.

Dan Baker, the Tigers lone over-ager on the blue line, has been leaned upon by head coach Willie Desjardins to lead from the back end and help usher in Medicine Hat’s new young core. Desjardins says he’s brought consistency to the Tigers this season.

“Bakes has been really consistent for us, he’s been really good in lots of different areas of his game,” Desjardins said. “We’re really happy with our D.”

In his fifth WHL season with the Tigers, Baker has become the guy that plays on the power play, penalty kill and gets the majority of even-strength ice time among Tabbies d-men. He says the trust from the coaching staff is welcome and something he and partner Dru Krebs need.

“We need that for sure, there’s lots of high-end talent in the league that we are going to be matched up against every night, so to have their trust is huge,” Baker said.

Krebs, who took part in the Washington Capitals training camp this fall after being taken 176th overall by the Caps in the 2021 NHL draft, has played on the top pairing with Baker this season. He’s filled the high ice-time role of former Tiger Eric Van Impe, who was moved Oct. 7 as Medicine Hat had one too many over-age players on the roster. He says he owes a lot of his good play this season to playing alongside Baker.

“He’s great in the defensive zone, he’s a great guy off the ice, great in the offensive zone, everything you’d want in a d-partner,” Krebs said. “I can’t say enough good things about him, he’s an unreal player to play with and an unreal guy in the dressing room.”

“I think a big thing with him is he’s a really steady guy and really shows you day in and day out, game after game, how good he is at being consistent and putting in his full effort every single game,” Krebs said. “That’s a huge thing with him and coming ready and prepared for every game like it’s his last.”

Baker shares the same appreciation for Krebs and also credits him for making his job easier.

“I love playing with Dru, he’s an awesome skater and he gets back to pucks so quick it makes my job pretty easy,” Baker said. “It’s been an easy transition to play with him and we’re getting better as we keep going here so we’re going to keep building.”

Desjardins says that pairing plays a big role in aiding the Tigers young forwards and by going up against the league’s toughest matchups.

“Those are both quality players and I think that’s important for us,” Desjardins said. “There’s lots of good teams in our league and we are a little young up front and for sure, our D are going to have to be good and help carry us. We expect that but it’s a good thing to expect but they have been good.”

It’s not just a two-man show for the Tigers defence. Bogdans Hodass sits second on the team in points with 13 in his first year in the Western Hockey League and playing North American hockey. Reid Andresen has played every game in his first WHL season and Rhett Parsons has two assists in the nine games he’s dressed.

The Tigers D-core has been a big part of their success and they’re still learning to play with one another, like the forward group and getting better as the season on a roll.

“We have an awesome D-core, a few young guys but we do have some veterans also. I think we are doing a good job of sticking to how we play and keeping it simple,” Baker said.

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