Sports Year in Review 2019 – Hockey

In May, the Medicine Hat Tigers parted ways with head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston after 16 years total with the club.

Clouston had been involved with the Tigers since 2003, and served as head coach since 2010. When he left the team, he was the all-time leader in wins, with 375. Clouston currently coaches the Kamloops Blazers.

https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/05/30/clouston-and-tigers-part-ways/

Welcome back, Willie

The Medicine Hat Tigers brought back a familiar face to be the head coach and general manager.

Willie Desjardins, who led the Tigers to two WHL Championships (2004 and 2007), was named head coach and general manager for the Tigers once again. Desjardins had spent several years in the NHL as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings.

As of the Christmas Break, the Tigers sit in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-10-1 record.

https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/05/31/video-desjardins-back-behind-tigers-bench-as-coach-and-general-manager/

Søgaard drafted

Goaltender Mads Søgaard drafted by the Tigers in the 2018 WHL import draft, was selected in the second round, 37^th overall by the Ottawa Senators at this year’s NHL Draft. Søgaard was the highest drafted Tiger since Hunter Shinkaruk (24^th overall) in 2013.

https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/06/22/tigers-sogaard-nabbed-at-37th-overall-by-ottawa-senators/

Brooks Bandits continue to roll

The Brooks Bandits did not disappoint as they hosted the Junior A Men’s Hockey Championship in their city. The team topped the Prince George Spruce Kings 4-3 in the final in May.

https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/05/20/brooks-bandits-win-jr-a-title-with-4-3-win-over-prince-george-spruce-kings/

The Bandits also continued their strong play in the 2019-2020 regular season, breaking the AJHL record for longest win streak to start the season, as 22 games.

https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/11/10/bandits-record-setting-streak-ends-with-5-4-loss-in-spruce-grove/

World U-17 Hockey Challenge

Medicine Hat and Swift Current hosted some of the top players from around the world from November 1-9 for the World U-17 Hockey Challenge.

In the bronze medal game, Team Czech Republic topped Team Canada White 3-2 in overtime, while Team Russia defeated Team USA 6-2 to take home the gold medal.

https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/11/10/russia-upsets-united-states-for-gold-at-world-u-17-hockey-challenge/

According to tournament organizers, an estimated 20,044 fans attended the tournament in Medicine Hat over the nine days, averaging 1,822 fans per game.

https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/11/11/world-u-17-hockey-challenge-draws-out-20000-fans-in-medicine-hat/

by Charles Lefebvre

Sports Year in Review 2019 – Hockey

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