By Scott Roblin

New home presents excitement, challenges for SEAC Bantam Tigers

Sep 4, 2017 | 2:56 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The effects of the closure of the Medicine Hat Arena are being felt ahead of the 2017-18 hockey season.

One group having to adjust this year are the SEAC Bantam AAA Tigers, who have had to find a new home for their coaches and players.

The Tigers will be moving to the Hockey Hounds Recreation Centre located in Crescent Heights for the upcoming season.

SEAC had been using the Medicine Hat Arena over the last few seasons as their home base after the Medicine Hat Tigers moved into the Canalta Centre in 2015.

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Bantam head coach Jason Bartram said the team will have to adapt to the new layout of the rink.

“I know they did some work on the boards, and I think it’s only 185 [feet] rather than 200 feet long,” said Bartram. “So, maybe the speed will benefit us a little bit. We’re hoping if it’s going to be our home all year, that it works out for us.”

The Medicine Hat Arena closed on July 31, after city council elected to close the building earlier in the year citing operating and maintenance costs.

Tigers forward Caleb Wyrostok said both returning and incoming players will need to make a quick adjustment to the smaller building.

“It will definitely be different,” said Wyrostok. “Different feeling, different atmosphere for a smaller rink, but it should be good.”

SEAC’s bantam program will host the Lethbridge Golden Hawks on Saturday afternoon as part of their pre-season, with the regular season getting underway on September 17 against the Airdrie Xtreme.