Mrsic shines in second stint with Tigers

By JAMES TUBB on March 1, 2022.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

Tomas Mrsic was a bright spot for a Medicine Hat Tigers team that needed one this weekend.

The 16-year-old 2021 eighth overall pick was called up from B.C.’s Delta Hockey Academy Thursday as the Tigers battle the injury bug with three skaters on the shelf. Mrsic was on the starting line for the Tabbies in their 6-2 loss to the Winnipeg Ice Friday. Mrsic said it was nice coming up to the WHL.

“Our coach didn’t want us to come up but it’s great that I have the time to come up and play a couple games here,” Mrsic said.

There’s a reason Delta U17 coach Sumeet Wareh didn’t want Mrsic to leave Delta, as the Tigers top prospect has 39 goals and 94 points in 26 games with the prep school. Mrsic described his year in Delta as awesome and credited his linemates.

“My line is a couple high draft picks there so it’s complimentary players,” Mrsic said.

Tigers head coach and general manager Willie Desjardins said after Friday’s game he was excited by Mrsic in the loss.

“I thought he was really skilled, made some good skill plays,” Desjardins said. “I thought he was good and showed really well.”

The Surrey, B.C. product centered his own line Saturday in Lethbridge when the Hurricanes handed the Tigers their 10th loss in a row after beating them 9-2.

The highlight of that game for the Tigers was Mrsic’ first Western Hockey League goal.

Mrsic tipped in a pass from Logan Barlage on a breakaway that was initially ruled no goal because a Hurricanes defender knocked over his own goaltender. The call was reversed and Mrsic was awarded his memorable goal.

Saturday night marked the return to Lethbridge for Barlage since being traded to the Gas City at the Jan. 17 deadline. When asked Thursday what advice he would give Mrsic, Barlage said he’d tell him just to play his game.

“I’ve been there before and looking back it’s just about playing your game,” Barlage said. “You got drafted for a reason, team wants you for a reason and it’s the way you played when you were in bantam. If you can play your game and bring that level of play to the next level that’s when a good player comes out of it.”

The Tigers loss Saturday also featured rookie netminder Zach Zahara making his WHL debut. Beckett Langkow hurt his hand at practice Tuesday which led to Zahara joining the Tigers Friday. Garin Bjokrlund was pulled against the Hurricanes halfway through the game, thrusting Zahara into his debut.

The 16-year-old made 12 saves in 29:21 of action. Zahara has appeared in 16 games with the South Alberta Hockey Academy this season, picking up three shutouts with a .912 say percentage and a 2.48 goals against average.

The Rocky View product will likely serve as backup until Langkow is back in game action.

Medicine Hat has a three-game week ahed as they host the Red Deer Rebels tonight at Co-op Place before heading to Edmonton Wednesday to take on the Eastern Conference leading Oil Kings. Then on Saturday, the Tigers host the Swift Current Broncos and welcome the return of defenseman Eric Van Impe. It will be his first game at Co-op Place since being traded to Seattle on Oct. 7.

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