Medicine Hat Tigers forward Ethan Neutens celebrates his first-period goal in a 7-1 win Dec. 3 at Co-op Place over the Prince Albert Raiders.--NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
It takes a lot to reach the double-century mark in games played in junior hockey.
For Medicine Hat Tigers forward Ethan Neutens, who reached the 200-game mark in a 5-1 win over the Wenatchee Wild on Dec. 6, it’s a mark that reflects his ability to keep playing healthy.
“It’s cool I’ve played 200 games in this league and I’m grateful for that,” Neutens said.
“It’s one thing to be proud of the longevity, but I’m more grateful that I’ve been able to play this many games in this league and avoid injury.”
The 20-year-old Cochrane product is in his fourth season in the WHL, playing at least 59 games in his first three years split between the Kelowna Rockets and Tigers.
He suited up in a combined 135 games as a Rocket between 2022-24 before he was traded to Medicine Hat on Nov. 1, 2024. He played 47 games in the regular season last year for the Tigers and played in all 18 games of the run to the Ed Chynoweth Cup, scoring twice and adding five points along the way.
He’s gotten the chance to experience Medicine Hat over the past 12 months and he says it’s been a special year in the Gas City.
“We’ve done a lot of great things on this team and I’ve seen a lot of growth in my character and my game, so it’s really special,” Neutens said.
He’s seen better discipline from himself and more maturity develop on and off the ice.
“Those two things and just working hard, being around a good group of guys that really want to be here,” Neutens said. “It’s really good to bring the energy out on the ice and continue to have it off the ice. I think it’s really important.”
Head coach and general manager Willie Desjardins traded for Neutens last year and has liked what he’s seen since then. Speaking after practice on Thursday, he was elated by the overage forward’s performance as well.
“He had a great practice today, probably the best practice I’ve seen him have,” Desjardins said. “He a big guy who skates well, he’s a really good leader in the room and a really good person. He brings a lot of intangibles, besides his on-ice play, he’s a hard forechecker and he’s good in the one-on-one battles.”
Neutens wasn’t slated to be with the Tigers this season, having committed to the University of Anchorage-Alaska before changing his mind – a welcomed re-addition, Desjardins says.
“For your 20-year-olds, you need not just on the ice, you need off-ice stuff, and he’s a good leader in the room,” Desjardins said. “He’s a good influence on the bench when things are going good or bad. He’s good to have here.”
Neutens says he made the decision to de-commit for a few reasons, wanting to come back to Medicine Hat while keeping all options open between college or pro hockey.
“It’s been good so far, the biggest thing was leaving all my options on the table,” Neutens said. “I’m still considering going back there, I’m leaving everything kind of on the table. I just want to see how this year goes and play my last year of junior hockey.
“Not everyone gets this opportunity and I’m just grateful for it.”
