Medicine Hat Tigers forward Alex Drover raises his stick to the sky during his introduction ahead of the Tigers' home opener on Saturday. The Tigers beat the Lethbridge Hurricanes 9-1 at Co-op Place.--NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Alex Drover has had a lot to think about the past week.
The 20-year-old Medicine Hat Tigers forward was gearing up to appear in his first Western Hockey League game on Saturday after playing 178 games and four seasons in the QMJHL when across the country his home town and family were in the path of tropical storm Fiona.
Drover is a product of Port-aux-Basques, Nfld., where as of Monday afternoon at least 80 homes were destroyed or structurally damaged. He said Tuesday his parents and sister, who now reside in Halifax, are completely safe after Fiona hit Canada’s East Coast the same day he hit the ice.
“It didn’t hit them as hard but they are completely safe, so I’m happy about that,” Drover said.
As for his hometown and the province he grew up in, Drover feels for those affected and said he has faith they will be able to recover and grow stronger in the aftermath.
“The great thing about Newfoundlanders is that they’re very strong and they’re very helpful people,” Drover said. “They’ll get through it and they’ll help each other out in every way they can.”
Drover was able to provide his family some entertainment Saturday night as he had himself a strong Tigers debut, picking up an assist in a 9-1 season opening win Saturday at Co-op Place against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. He said it felt special because it would be his last first game in the CHL.
“My mom texted me before the game, she said it’s your last first junior game. It was funny because Brandon Lee and (Dallon) Melin, they said the exact same thing,” Drover said. “It was just kind of funny but special. Because it’s the last first one and you know it’s very high paced out there. It was a great opening night, great fans, great arena, great everything.”
Tigers associate coach Joe Frazer said Drover showed good flashes offensively in Saturday’s win against the Hurricanes.
“He has really good hands and can really shoot a puck,” Frazer said. “The more he plays and gets comfortable, the better he will be.”
Drover joined the Tigers from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League ahead of training camp. When comparing the QMJHL and the WHL, he said he’s been impressed with the speed of the Dub.
“I was also very impressed with the transition, I found the transition games were a little bit quicker,” Drover said. “There’s a little more physicality for sure. But the big thing I noticed was the passing was quick, the transitions were quick and it was more of a possession type game, which is great.”
He said he’s enjoyed playing alongside and getting to know his Tigers teammates, and they’ve welcomed him to the group.
“Everyone is so tight, we’re hanging out after, it’s a special bond,” Drover said. “The team is extremely hard working on the ice, off the ice, shooting pucks, we push each other and we keep each other accountable, which is very important in the team. It’s a very friendly, very open group and they’ve welcomed me with open arms.”
Drover said the City of Medicine Hat is a beautiful spot and that he’s been able to get out golfing. Now he has the goal of trying to beat his teammates at it.
“The fans are amazing, my billet mother, she’s incredible, she cooks great meals and is a very nice person. I’ve got to go golfing a little bit with a couple of the guys, had a couple of lunches, it’s a beautiful spot and everyone is so welcoming and so nice here,” Drover said. ” We went to Paradise Valley the par-three course, it’s a beautiful spot, right under the teepee.
“It was a three-way tie for the win and I wasn’t in that unfortunately, but Beckett (Langkow), (Brayden) Boehmer and Hunter (St. Martin) all tied to 35. I was a little bit behind so I have to catch up now.”
