NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers defenseman Josh Van Mulligen looks to make a breakout pass in the first period of the Tigers 4-0 loss at Co-op Place Tuesday against the Saskatoon Blades.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Medicine Hat’s own Josh Van Mulligen has made an impact in his first 13 WHL games.
He has two goals and one assist while donning the orange and black, but it’s his confidence with the puck that has impressed the Medicine Hat Tigers coaches.
“Once you see it once, you know he can do it. He’s a guy who’s not intimidated at all, by the physicality and he wants the puck, which is really important,” Tigers associate coach Joe Frazer said. “Sometimes young guys come in and they get a little nervous or a little shy and they don’t really want the puck. Josh wants the puck and he wants to make plays. That’s a huge, just a mental mindset that you have to have. It’s hard to get as a young guy and he has it.”
The 16-year-old was drafted 39th overall by the Tigers in 2020 and got his first taste of playing for the same team he grew up watching. He has also gained more responsibility in the final stretch this season due to Tigers captain Daniel Baker out with injury and import defenceman Gleb Ivanov missing time with illness.
Van Mulligen reflected, Frazer saying he’s been gaining more confidence.
“I’ve been feeling a lot more confident lately, that I can contribute at this level, help the team contribute and try to get W’s here,” Van Mulligen said.
He was one of four prospects recalled by the Tabbies on Mar. 20 as the CSSSHL season finished up. Van Mulligen suited up for 27 games with South Alberta Hockey Academy and knocked in seven goals and 25 points in between WHL call-ups in Oct., Dec. and March.
In trips between the CSSHL and WHL, Van Mulligen said he thinks the biggest difference in his game is his improved speed.
“I think I just got a lot quicker, got stronger and I can play with older, bigger, stronger guys and obviously more confident with the puck,” Van Mulligen said. “I feel like I make more plays and just create more offense and contribute.”
Besides his confidence, Van Mulligen has stood out with a hard shot from the point that has become a weapon he’s used more with every game.
He said it’s come with a lot of hard work and just getting pucks on net, adding it’s important to help the team score goals.
As the Tigers defence pairings have rotated with injuries, Van Mulligen has played a couple games alongside Latvian import Bogdans Hodass. When asked if he’s picked up any Latvian or how playing alongside Hodass is, Van Mulligen laughed and said he’s really fun.
“He’s really good, obviously he’s a fun, funny guy, keeps it light and is a good player,” Van Mulligen said. “It’s really fun playing with him.”
As the lone Medicine Hat product on the team, Van Mulligen was the only Tiger to grow up listening to Bob Ridley on the radio during games. He was on the bench last Saturday when the Tigers honoured the longtime broadcaster with a banner raised into the Co-op Place rafters. He descried Ridley as an inspiration to kids growing up in the Hat.
“After every game you listen to him on the post-game show. It’s an inspiration for a lot of kids here growing up,” Van Mulligen said. “The voice of the Tigers, he had a lot of passion for the game and made Tigers games really fun.”
