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INTERVIEWS: Rubins, Hollett to miss weeks with injuries

Feb 6, 2018 | 11:39 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The injury woes continue for the Medicine Hat Tigers.

According to the WHL weekly report, defenceman Kristians Rubins is the latest Tiger to suffer an injury. The report says Rubins is out with an upper body injury for the next three to four weeks.

Rubins is the latest member of the team to be placed on the injured reserve, joining forwards Mason Shaw (lower body, indefinite) and Hayden Ostir (broken finger, 3-5 weeks) and fellow blue-liner Linus Nassen (upper body injury, 2-3 weeks) and Joel Craven (upper body, week-to-week). The Tigers are bringing in 16-year-old defenceman Daniel Baker, who will arrive in the Gas City later Tuesday. Baker played three games with the Tigers earlier this season, with most of his time spent with the Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep club out of the CSSHL. He has nine goals and 26 points in 20 games with the midget-15 squad.

Meanwhile, the team continues to place more responsibility on rookie Henry Rybinski, who’s earning valuable playing time on the top line with Mark Rassell and James Hamblin. 

“Its been really fun. Obviously those guys are really good players, and being able to play with them has been really good. They’ve really helped me improve,” says Rybinski, who’s collected eight points this season. “You’re playing against the top players in the league, Its not as big of a jump I’d say from midget to the WHL but still it’s a big jump for sure. You’re playing against really good players, they have NHL contracts and are drafted to the NHL so there’s a jump for sure.”    

The report also lists a timeline for goaltender Jordan Hollett, who was injured during Saturday’s game against the Vancouver Giants. Hollett will be out 4-6 weeks with a lower body injury.

Hollett’s injury means more ice time for goaltender Michael Bullion, who is 10-10-0 this season with a 3.44 goals against average and .882 save percentage. The 20-year-old veteran took on a large bulk of playing time down the stretch last season, helping the Tabbies win their first Central Division title in a decade.

“It’s good to be given that spot and be given the ability to be an anchor for the team, specially in this time where we’re facing some adversity with injuries,” says Bullion. “Happy about that but definitely not excited to see what happened to Jordan and I really want him to recover as fast as possible.” 

Goaltender Garin Bjorklund is expected to backup Bullion tomorrow night against Edmonton.       

There is some good news for the Tigers. Forward Tyler Preziuso, who was listed with an upper-body injury, participated in full-contact practice with the team on Monday and will suit up Wednesday against. 

Medicine Hat will look to end a four-game losing streak Wednesday, hosting the Edmonton Oil Kings at the Canalta Centre (7:00 p.m.).