NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers forward Steven Arp carries the puck into the offensive end in the second period of the Tigers 4-1 loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings on Dec. 4
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Medicine Hat Tigers ran out a young lineup this season with only two full-time rookies.
Steven Arp broke training camp with the team in the fall and Andrew Basha joined the club in November and became a mainstay in the lineup. Both experienced their first Western Hockey League seasons in what was the toughest season in Tigers history.
Arp, who donned the orange and black for 50 games and contributed three goals and nine points, said he thinks he got a lot better over the season and enjoyed his time in Medicine Hat.
“The time away from home was nice, you kind of grew up a bit, became your own person,” Arp said. The Swan River, Man. product started the year at centre before the Tigers moved him to the wing.
Associate coach Joe Frazer said seeing how much Arp got better is a testament to how hard he works.
“He came in as the 13th, 14th forward; just by sheer work ethic and determination he’s worked his way into the lineup consistently most nights the last two months,” Frazer said. “He’s one of the first guys here every day, last guy to leave. Always wanting to do good, always wanting to learn. I think he’s done an incredible job and to see how far he’s come, we’re really happy with Arp.”
Arp signed with the Tigers Sept. 24 ahead of the fall training camp.
Besides working out and getting better for the upcoming season, Arp said he’s going to be spending a lot of time on the Manitoba lakes. The 18-year-old has his boater’s licence but isn’t one to fish, he’d prefer to just enjoy the sun while out on the water. Before hitting the water, Arp said he wants to improve his speed over the summer and get a little stronger at the same time.
“Just core strength, so I can out muscle guys and maybe have the puck a bit more,” Arp said. “I don’t think I handled the puck too much this year so I’m going to look at doing that a bit more next year.”
The 6-foot-3 forward is also looking to utilize that size more next season in a Tigers’ lineup which he says lacked the size this year.
“We’ve got a lot of small guys and not a lot of guys like me other than (Ashton) Ferster and (Logan) Barlage, and “Bars’ is gonna be gone,” Arp said. “So I think I have to step into that role and be that big, tough guy.”
Arp spent his rookie season surrounded with veteran presence, billeting with two 20-year-olds, starting the year with Tigers captain Daniel Baker before being joined by Carter Chorney when he signed with the Tabbies last December. Arp said it was like being the little brother but said he enjoyed it, even when they hogged the washroom.
“They showed me the ways, showed me the ropes,” Arp said. “When they were in the bathroom, I’m not getting there for a couple minutes, they’re taking their time.”
Besides living with Chorney, Arp was consistently lining up with his 20-year-old roommate. He said he enjoyed playing alongside him and learning from him whenever he could.
“I spent a lot of a lot of time with him, so I learned a lot from him, just how to work hard and everything,” Arp said.
