Tigers assoc. coach Frazer: ‘There’s a buzz around the city’

By JAMES TUBB on September 21, 2023.

The Medicine Hat Tigers put in the work over the summer to get better, but now, it’s about improving on that, associate coach Joe Frazer says.

“We’re really excited about some of the development the young guys have made and seeing the leadership come back, the veteran guys have had really good summers,” Frazer said. “So top to bottom, we’re pretty happy with how guys progressed, especially the second half of last year and then through the summer to see where they’re at right now, we’re excited. We have a lot of work to do throughout the season to make sure we keep getting better every day.”

The Tigers get their WHL regular season underway Friday at Calgary against the Hitmen. When the puck drops on that season opener, it will make Frazer’s 14th season behind the Medicine Hat bench and fourth as an associate coach to head coach and general manager Willie Desjardins. Frazer says the upcoming season is exciting because it brings new challenges they get to experience and learn from, as they have in the past.

“We’ve been through a lot as a team, as an organization, as individuals, and we’ve learned a lot and grown over the last few years,” Frazer said. “So when things come up this year, you just lean on past experience to make the best decisions possible or help guys the best you can. It’s exciting, every year is exciting, that’s why you keep doing it because you love it. The coaches are just excited as players to get it going.”

The Tigers are only one year removed from their 11-win season during the 2021-22 campaign. They followed that up with 30 wins and a first-round playoff appearance last season. Making the playoffs and proving that the 11-win season was just a misstep, not their identity, was the goal for the Tigers last season.

Now, with that playoff experience behind them, Frazer says they can’t be afraid to say the goal this season is a championship.

“When we talk to new guys we’re trying to recruit, we tell them that’s our goal every year, to win a championship and sign a pro contract, that’s why they come to Medicine Hat,” Frazer said. “That’s because it’s our goal every season and that’s the same this year. Do we have a ton of work in front of us and we have to get a lot better? Of course. But every guy in there knows, and if you ask them what our two goals are, it’s to win a championship and sign a pro contract. That’s why we come to the rink every day to win and to strive for those two goals.”

Before joining the Tigers’ coaching staff, Frazer played 132 games across three seasons in the orange and black and has experienced the old days of 4,006 fans each game at The Arena and the energy that followed Medicine Hat all season long. Entering this season, he says there is a buzz around the city that has a lot of guys, himself included, excited for the season ahead.

“A lot of guys are coming in with something to prove this year,” Frazer said. “A lot of guys want big years, whether it’s older guys looking for contracts or younger guys looking to get drafted. There’s some excitement in the city and now it’s our job to make sure that we’re coming to work every day, working hard and getting better every day.”

See Friday’s paper for the News’ preview of the Tigers 2023-24 season.

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