The Medicine Hat Tigers swarm goaltender Harrison Meneghin as he hoists the Ed Chynoweth Cup on Friday night in Spokane, Wash. The Tigers won the game 4-2, and the series 4-1.--NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Harrison Meneghin has had himself quite a couple weeks.
The Medicine Hat Tigers’ net minder backstopped the WHL franchise to their sixth Ed Chynoweth Cup last week, beating out the Spokane Chiefs with an effort that capped a playoff run dubbed the best in the west, earning him playoff MVP honours.
Just three days after lifting the Cup, Meneghin officially put pen to paper with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, signing a three-year entry-level contract.
“It’s something you work towards your whole life, all the practices, all the early mornings, all the sacrifices my parents made,” So it’s nice to kind of see some things pay off, but it’s just special to sign that after winning the championship.”
The 20-year-old South Surrey, B.C. product was 14-1 in the playoffs, recording a 2.3 goals against average and a .906 save percentage, notching three shutouts along the way. In 35 regular season games with the Tigers, Meneghin went 23-9-2 with a 2.56 GAA, .901 SV% while also recording three shutouts.
“It was exciting for the boys, it was exciting for Harry and his family,” head coach Willie Desjardins said of the signing. “He’s battled hard for us, and Tampa Bay is a great organization. They’ve been so classy through everything, they have Stacy Roest, a former Tiger, but they were really special with all the stuff (Harry) went through. So it’s great that he signed.”
Meneghin’s father Derek passed away March 23, the final day of the regular season, as his son backstopped the Tigers to an Eastern Conference championship. He was able to share the championship win on May 16 with his cousins Jackson and Ava, sister Georgia, an aunt and uncle and his mom Samantha.
Between winning a title, being named playoff MVP and signing a pro contract, Meneghin says his father would be proud and excited to see the success he’s had. He says his father is his motivation to work even harder through the rest of his career.
“He’s been a huge supporter of me growing up, and all the sacrifices he’s made, so it’s important to keep living and show everybody that’s how he’s raised me to be, that’s the man he’d want me to be,” Meneghin said. “It’s just important to keep working hard and have that in the back of my mind. That the person he’s raised me to be is to be successful.”
He says the Tampa Bay organization has a high standard, one he hopes to meet once next season starts.
“They expect the best out of you and it’s good because that brings the best of yourself,” Meneghin said. “Winning is the standard there and I think winning is something that I want to continue to do, so it’s a good fit for me. The staff and everybody there is super supportive and they also want what’s best for me as well.”
It was a signing Monday that excited the locker room as he became the fourth Tiger to sign a pro contract this season. Forward Andrew Basha, signing his deal with the Calgary Flames in November, says it’s well deserved.
“Everything he’s gone through and how well he’s played, it’s unbelievable,” Basha said. “You can’t really put into words how special that is and how happy we are as a whole team for Harry. We’ve all said, we wouldn’t be going to Rimouski without him. I’m so happy for him and his family, it’s such a great accomplishment.”
While Meneghin and the Tigers get set for the 105th Memorial Cup in Rimouski, Que., he says there is some weight off his shoulders knowing he is going to play pro hockey next season. He admits he’ll have to get back to some of his teammates for dinners once the ink fully dries and a cheque clears.
” I owe some guys some pretty solid e-transfers, I don’t want to throw the numbers out there, but they’re not low,” Meneghin said.
