NEWS FILE PHOTO
The Medicine Hat Tigers lineup on the blueline ahead of the 2007 Memorial Cup Finals game against the Vancouver Giants on May 24, 2007.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
As the Medicine Hat Tigers kicked off the 2025 WHL Championship series, pushing for the franchise’s sixth banner, a group of alumni reunited in Medicine Hat to reflect on their WHL finals experience.
A total of 19 Tigers alum, with members of the 2004 and 2007 championships, filled out a suite at Co-op Place for Games 1 and 2 of the WHL Championship series between Medicine Hat and the Spokane Chiefs, getting the bands back together to cheer on the 2025 Tigers while also catching up on the last 15-plus years.
“We’re so happy to be back here, we had such a great group of guys that went on a really special run in 2007,” Tyler Ennis said. “It meant so much to all of us that it was easy for us to come back and cheer on the boys, because this team and this city, it means so much to all of us.”
The group took in both games, also enjoying some golf and the occasional adult beverage while cheering on the 2025 Tigers as they look to reach the same promised land they did in the mid 2000s.
The gathering was Kevin Undershute’s idea, although he immediately deferred the credit. The 2007 WHL champion says that team has gotten together every summer since they played the Vancouver Giants, and in place of meeting in the summer moved plans up to be around for the Final.
He says as much as things have changed, like the location of the rink, they stay the same when it comes to the bond between teammates and the passion felt in the city.
“When we walk around town people recognize, maybe not me, but some of the other guys after 18 years, it’s pretty cool they know these guys and care so much,” Underschute said. “To see this rink was amazing. The other night, we went back, we took Bob Ridley and all the guys, we went back to the The Arena and got a picture outside The Arena, it was super cool.”
Tigers goaltender Matt Keetley shared a similar sentiment, reliving a plethora of memories with old friends.
“We’ve really been together the whole weekend, I’m going to be sad for four days when all these guys leave, this is family to us,” Keetley said. “We picked up right where we left off, some of these guys I haven’t seen in 15 to 20, years. (Derek) Dorsett and I were roommates a lot, we roomed in playoffs, roommates at the Memorial Cup and I gave him a big hug and, honestly, we picked up where we left off.”
Dorsett says he was having cheek and stomach pains from all of the laughing he had done throughout the weekend, losing his voice from telling stories and catching up with the group. Getting the chance to watch the newest version of Tigers chase the same dream brought back a lot of memories, he says, and it reminded him of how both groups were able to find success.
“Watching these guys get to do the same thing that we did, try and live their dream and win a championship, has been awesome,’ Dorsett said. “It’s a great community we have and a great group of guys, the culture that Willie’s built here, this whole weekend doesn’t happen without Willie Desjardins. You look at the culture he’s built and how he’s made us feel accepted. I talk to Willie weekly and what he’s done. What he’s built here is exceptional and it shows.”
Dorsett was one of many who tabbed their former head coach as the reason for success with the Tigers, crediting him for building winning teams but, more importantly, a family culture that has lasted a lifetime.
For Stef Meyer, who won with Desjardins and the Tigers in 2004, there was no question they would return to cheer on their former coach turned friend.
“This guy seems to kind of bring the whole city and the Tigers in general, bring the community together, and that’s why I’m here,” Meyer said. “I know that if he calls, I always answer, and that’s how he was when he was a coach, that’s how he gets his players basically in this spot now, because he is the kind of a guy you play for.
“You can see the team, they care, they’re not playing for themselves, they’re playing for their team and their coaching staff, they don’t want to let them down.”
The alumni spoke with the News during the Tigers’ 6-2 Game 2 loss on Sunday, a Spokane win that tied the series up at 1-1 before a pair of wins on Tuesday and Wednesday have put them one victory away from joining that illustrious group that can call themselves champions.
Dorsett had some advice to the current Tigers, don’t try to enjoy the finals moment just yet, put in the work first and then enjoy the championship feeling forever.
“Don’t enjoy it right now, enjoy it after you win it and then put everything you have into it and compete and work hard,” Dorsett said. “Do everything you can, do whatever you have to do to win, because you’ll remember it the rest of your life. These are some of the best years that I’ve ever had in Medicine Hat.”
