NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Victoria Royals forward Brayden Boehm leans on his stick during practice Thursday held at Co-op Place. The former Medicine Hat Tiger will face off against his former team for the first time since being traded to Victoria on Oct. 5.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
A little over a month after being traded from the Medicine Hat Tigers, Brayden Boehm is proud of his new colours.
The Victoria Royals’ forward is making his return to Medicine Hat for the first time since he was traded to the B.C. division team on Oct. 5. He’ll face off against his former team tonight for the only time in his career, baring a finals appearance by both clubs. The Nanaimo product suited up in 154 games for the Tigers with 31 goals and 70 points.
He made a comeback from an early season-ending injury in the 2023-24 season, returning for his age-20 campaign this fall. He was traded to the Royals on Oct. 5 in a corresponding move after the Tigers acquired Meneghin from the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Boehm says he was surprised by the deal but he has enjoyed representing his hometown team and being an hour and a half away from family.
“My mom and girlfriend were pretty excited, it’s been hard on them,” Boehm said. “My dad’s only seen me play twice in the WHL so that is pretty cool for him to actually be able to watch me play more.”
Boehm says his family comes to as many games as they can while balancing his younger brother Nash’s hockey schedule as well as work. The 20-year-old forward has suited up in 13 games for the Royals, with three goals and 12 points.
Royals head coach James Patrick has enjoyed getting to know his new forward and sharing communication about expectations and feedback.
“He’s been a real good fit, getting a 20-year-old late when a lot of the rosters were decided, we’re real fortunate to get him,” Patrick said.
“He’s fit in real good with the guys, he’s a real thoughtful guy, he cares about people, cares about his teammates and he loves communication. Sometimes the 20-year-olds, the veterans, they’ve been in the league a long time, but they need feedback, they need communication. They need to feel loved and liked and want to know what they have to do to get better.”
Back in Medicine Hat for the first time since the trade, Boehm chose words carefully as he described growing up as a Tiger.
“It meant a lot to me, it was my first organization,” Boehm said. “I put a lot of time and effort in, my whole goal this summer was to train hard enough and get back to where I wanted to be. Obviously that didn’t fit in with the coaching staff.”
He’s looking forward to facing off against 19-year-old Tigers Hunter St. Martin and Josh Van Mulligen and he holds no ill-will toward any of his former teammates. But Boehm says he’s not going to hold back either.
“I spend a lot of time with those guys, built relationships and friendships, and unfortunately for them, when the puck drops, those are gone,” Boehm said. “I’m just excited to have a good, good laugh and that’ll be weird to be on the other side of things, to see those guys. But I’m looking forward to it.”
Tigers’ associate coach Joe Frazer has enjoyed seeing Boehm find success with the Royals.
“We know he has a ton of speed, we have to make sure we’re limiting his time and space,” Frazer said. “He’s going to be excited to play us. So it’s going to be a little weird seeing him on the other side but we’re happy he’s doing well.”
After a 2-1 win Wednesday at Edmonton over the Oil Kings, the Tigers will likely see some reinforcements in the lineup. Defenceman Josh Van Mulligen was expected to play Wednesday but was scratched. Frazer says he should play tonight. Forward Ryder Ritchie is also possible to return on Friday.
Tigers trade Corbet
The Tigers made a trade Friday afternoon, sending defenceman Nate Corbet to the Kelowna Rockets for forward Ethan Neutens and a pair of draft picks.
Kelowna sent a 2025 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick in the deal.
Corbet suited up in 71 games for the Tigers across two seasons, with four goals and 10 points.
Coming the other way, the 19-year-old Neutens has played in only 12 games this season for the Rockets, with a goal and an assist. In 135 career WHL games, the 6-foot-4 forward has 11 goals and 25 points.
Head coach Willie Desjardins was unsure if Neutens would be in the lineup tonight.
