NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Josh Van Mulligen carries the puck up ice in the first period of a 7-3 win at Co-op Place over the Edmonton Oil Kings on Jan. 16.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Josh Van Mulligen will take his talents South of the border this fall.
The Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman has committed to play NCAA Div. I hockey next season with the Niagara University Purple Eagles. After four years in the orange and black, the Eagles purple will be quite a change for the 20-year-old.
“It was a big decision but I really liked the coaching staff there,” Van Mulligen said. “I played with Dallon Melin who’s there and he loves it, it’s just a good opportunity.
“It seems like the best fit for me but for now, all I’m worried about is my last couple months as a Tiger and giving my best to the City of Medicine Hat.”
Melin played for the Tigers in 2022-23 before playing two years at the University of Calgary. He joined Niagara University this fall after the NCAA Div. 1 rule changes allowing CHL players to suit up at the college level. Van Mulligen says the Czar, Alta. product spoke well about the school and team.
“They run things similar to us, a good culture team, just well structured and they have some good players,” Van Mulligen said. “They’re on the rise and they’ll be a better team next year. It’s good spot to live, too.”
Van Mulligen has seen the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and he looks forward to experiencing the U.S. side, close to the sports-filled city of Buffalo.
He is the second Tiger to commit to an NCAA school this season, 19-year-old defenceman Jonas Woo signed with Arizona State University for the fall.
If a professional hockey contract comes forward at the end of the season, Van Mulligen would start his career then. Until then, he sees college as his next best step to achieving that dream.
“The end goal is to play pro hockey, but this gives me an extra couple of years to develop my game so I can hit the ground running once I have a pro deal,” Van Mulligen said.
The local minor hockey product has played 30 games this season with the Tigers, tallying three goals and 13 points. Saturday’s game against the Lethbridge Hurricanes will be his 230th in the WHL. After a slow start to his overage season due to injury, Van Mulligen hopes to end his WHL career on the same high the team reached last year.
“Obviously it was a bit of a tough start but I’m starting to bounce back a bit and starting to play better,” Van Mulligen said. “I’m just looking to finish really strong here, playoffs are what matters. Just looking to keep building here and make sure I have the best playoffs of my life.”
