NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Dru Krebs scans up the ice to make a pass during the Tigers training camp scrimmage on Sept. 4 at Co-op Place.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Medicine Hat Tigers got a big piece of their blue line back on their roster this week.
Tigers defenceman Dru Krebs returned to the club after missing the home opener while showcasing his skills at Washington Capitals training camp to start the season. The 19-year-old was sent back Wednesday after getting to suit up for his first NHL preseason game, playing over 20 minutes.
He said he learned a lot from the experience and enjoyed getting the chance to play against his brother Peyton, who suited up for the Buffalo Sabres.
“It was a cool experience, especially being able to play against my brother, and it’s always cool to play with the pros,” Krebs said. “Guys who play at this level and every single level going up, that increases the speed and size and everything, but at that level, it’s the top of the top and it’s just a really good experience to be able to play guys and get that experience underneath my belt.”
Krebs said his first NHL preseason action, a 4-3 Buffalo overtime win on Sept. 25, was even more special for his family. He said he doesn’t think his dad would split a Capitals and a Sabres jersey in half to represent both sons but said his mom maybe would.
“I think it was really cool for my dad especially because growing up my brother and I would alternate getting coached by my dad every year,” Krebs said. “So seeing us two grow up and play against each other is probably really surreal for him and then also my family.
The 19-year-old Okotoks product is entering his fourth full season with the Tigers as he enters an important season looking to prove himself to his NHL club.
“It’s a contract year for me, so that’s what my pursuit is to get an NHL contract. Also coming back to a really good squad that makes the playoffs and makes a push and also being as big of a leader as possible on this squad,” Krebs said. “I want to prove myself as a leader on this team and someone who can really help the squad win some games. It’s just a prove-it year.”
Tigers head coach Willie Desjardins said Krebs already looks better than he did last season.
“He’s bigger, stronger, such a good skater and he’s a real competitor too, so lots of good things he brings back to us,” Desjardins said. “It’ll be exciting to see him because every guy had the summer to kind of work at their game and we haven’t had a real chance to see him. But just looking at him, I know he’s improved.”
Krebs said the biggest takeaway he had from his second NHL camp was to continue building on his strength.
“All of the guys out there are men, they’re 30 or 25 and above for a lot of them and they’re physically mature,” Krebs said. “In order to play up there I need to gain some masculine, gain some strength as well.”
Krebs was accompanied at Washington camp by Tigers 20-year-old goaltender Garin Bjorklund, who signed an NHL contract with the Capitals in May. Bjorklund was loaned to the Hershey Bears on Friday morning alongside former Tiger Henrik Rybinski. Krebs said he was with Bjorklund when the net minder got the dream call from the Capitals.
“It’s unreal, I was right beside him when he got the call that he got the contract so there were some jumps for joy and some hugs but it meant the world to me that he got that contract,” Krebs said.
