Soakin’ in the Tubb: Lots to watch for as Tigers training camp begins today
By JAMES TUBB on August 30, 2024.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb There hasn’t been a higher buzz around the Medicine Hat Tigers since the 2019-20 season cut short by COVID-19. That campaign saw the Tigers make moves at the deadline for a push at a deep playoff run, ultimately made mute by the shutdown. This fall, at the rink and around the city, the excitement has grown as the team made a handful of moves over the offseason, capped off by the acquisition of Ryder Ritchie to kick-off the week of training camp. Pair that with Gavin McKenna’s spotlight turning brighter with a pair of gold medals on the international stage, and six players hearing their name selected at the NHL Draft, there’s a lot to talk about when it comes to the orange and black. The Tigers are still looking for their first playoff series win since the 2016-17 season, with the ultimate goal being a sixth WHL championship banner in the Co-op Place rafters. Entering the start of training camp today, here are some bits and pieces worth tracking.Abundance of talent
Medicine Hat returned the entirety of the forward core, besides traded captain Tyler MacKenzie. That’s 11 forwards who played in the WHL last season, with rookies Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll, Liam and Markus Ruck, Brayden Ryan MacKay and Avery Watson all eligible and fighting for those last roster spots. It doesn’t get any easier on the backend; four returning defencemen (Josh Van Mulligen, Nate Corbet, Matt Paranych, Jack Kachkowski) are competing with four new Tigers in Jonas Woo, Bryce Pickford, Veeti Väisänen and Niilopekka Muhonen. Don’t forget rookies Riley Steen and Koray Bozkaya, they’ve made strides over the summer and have only added to the competition. It’s a full roster of 26 players vying for limited spots. With that amount of competition, there’s also the likelihood players will not be in roles they envisioned at the end of last season. The Tigers are keeping the focus on team instead of individual. Injuries happen, fatigue can set in throughout a 68-game season and a hopefully long playoff run. They’re going to need more than 12 forwards and six defenceman if they want to reach the ultimate goal.Goalies galore
The Tigers rotated through three goalies throughout the first half of last season before Evan May was traded to the Moose Jaw Warriors at the deadline, leaving Zach Zahara and Ethan McCallum to split duties in net. Be prepared for another goaltender trio to start the season, with Jordan Switzer entering the mix. Head coach Willie Desjardins expressed a desire at the end of last season to have a solidified starter put in place by playoffs this season. He’s spoke about having patience at the position, wanting to give all three the opportunity to take the starter’s job and run with it. They’ll have that chance this season, the only difference being how they’ll approach the second half of the year. If there is no clear No. 1 net minder in Medicine Hat come the deadline, don’t be surprised if one is acquired instead of hoping the remaining options take the reins. James Tubb is sports reporter with the Medicine Hat News. He can be reached at jtubb@medicinehatnews.com 17-16
