Tigers prospects report: Ryan-MacKay enjoys extended look with Tigers

By JAMES TUBB on November 14, 2024.

NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB Medicine Hat Tigers rookie forward Brayden Ryan-MacKay follows through on a shot from the point in the first period of a 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Nov. 8 at Co-op Place.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

After having his first WHL point relinquished to start the season, Brayden Ryan-MacKay put matters into his own hand.

The 16-year-old Medicine Hat Tigers rookie forward was originally credited with an assist in a 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings in the season opener, Sept. 21. The point was reassigned days later, leaving Ryan-MacKay still looking for his first point.

The Calgary product spoke multiple times about not being worried about points, just looking to do his job and the goals or points would come at some point. His hard work came to fruition in the 8-4 win Nov. 9 over the Moose Jaw Warriors.

On a rush opportunity in the second period of the win, Ryan-Mackay sent a pass over to fellow rookie Carter Cunningham who missed the net wide. The puck ended up back on Ryan-MacKay’s stick and he wasted little time, finding twine for his first in the WHL.

“It was unreal, the puck just landed on my stick and just all the boys were so ecstatic for me,” Ryan-MacKay said.

Ryan-MacKay joked he was upset that Cunningham, his former South Alberta Hockey Academy teammate, missed the net but he quickly put that aside after it returned to his tape.

What he didn’t have to joke about was how much his teammates enjoyed his first goal, getting mobbed in the corner by his lines mates who partly dislodged his cage during the celebration.

Forwards Hunter St. Martin and Gavin McKenna were on the bench for the goal but the pair were just as excited about the memorable goal.

“He works his butt off every single day, he’s just one of our hardest workers in the games and off the ice,” McKenna said. “To see him get the monkey off of his back, it’s awesome. I know when I got that first one, it feels unbelievable and it’s a good feeling for him, but he’s earned it.”

Both waxed on about the young forward’s work ethic.

“We see it in video and he gets some shoutouts from Willie, because he just works,” St. Martin said. “He’s a smaller guy, younger guy, but he works hard and if you work hard, you control that and things will happen. We were really happy to see him get his first goal.”

Ryan-MacKay takes pride in the nickname of ‘Buzz Saw’ awarded to him by assistant coach Josh Maser on the postgame radio show Saturday night. He prided himself on the hard work that’s earned his praise.

He was not in the lineup Wednesday night at Edmonton against the Oil Kings. But the next time he’s in, head coach Willie Desjardins knows what he is going to get from the young forward.

“He just works hard, he just shows, if you work hard, good things can happen,” Desjardins said.

Prospect Report

Here are the September and October performances from prospects in the Tigers system.

(Players put in order of statistics and level played. Only those signed to player agreements and deemed affiliated players are included. Stats entering play Nov. 13).

F, Carter Cunningham

Un-drafted, signed Oct. 26

AJHL, Calgary Canucks

– 14 GP, 4 G, 12 A, 16 P

WHL, Medicine Hat Tigers

– 8 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 P

F, Brayden Ryan-MacKay

119th, 2023 WHL draft