By Mitch Bach

Bullion, rookies headline Tigers opening night roster

Sep 22, 2017 | 2:17 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The wait is over.

It’s been 157 days since the Lethbridge Hurricanes knocked the Medicine Hat Tigers to its knees. ‘Canes captain Tyler Wong scored a historic overtime marker shorthanded in Game 7, sending Lethbridge into the Eastern Conference Championship, and killing the Tigers quest for a league title.

Tonight, the two Highway 3 rivals will clash for the first time since that memorable elimination game to open up the 2017/18 WHL regular season.

The Tigers, adorned with a rookie-heavy line-up, finished 2-2 in preseason action — their two wins both coming over Lethbridge to open exhibition play at the beginning of the month.

The ‘Canes snagged just a single win in five preseason contests this month. Their lone victory came over Swift Current on September 8 at the Enmax Centre.

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Although many of last year’s Tigers are returning this season, expect a lot of first-years and rookies in the lineup.

Head coach and GM Shaun Clouston says the entire fourth line will be made up of newcomers, with several more dotted throughout the top three units. One rookie to watch is German-born forward Mick Kohler, selected by the Tigers in the first round of the CHL Import Draft.

The blue line will feature a plethora of rookies as well, including second round import pick Linus Nassen. The Swede arrived in Medicine Hat just days ago, and is quickly gaining praise from the coaching staff. He’ll slot into one of the top two defensive pairings while overager Kristians Rubins heals up a bummed shoulder.

While many may wear the Orange and Black for the first time tonight, several are returning with greater leadership roles.

Defencemen Dylan MacPherson and Dalton Gally put in a ton of off-season work in the gym, preparing for a heavier workload. 

Entering his final season in the WHL, Mark Rassell takes over captaincy while teammate Mason Shaw recovers from a torn ACL. Rassell, born and raised in Calgary, is fresh off an eye-opening three weeks with the Calgary Flames. Teammate Zach Fischer joined him, although will not be playing in the season opener with concussion-like symptoms. Fischer took part in practice Thursday wearing a non-contact jersey.

Michael Bullion admits he wasn’t sure where he would end up this season due to overage limitations. 

But the Tigers ‘tender, who started all 11 post-season games last spring after guiding his team to a Central Division banner, will tend the twine tonight.

He’s one of two 20-year-old’s the Tabbies will have in the lineup, joining Rassell.

CHAT TV Sports caught up with MacPherson and Bullion to hear their thoughts on tonight’s rematch in Lethbridge.