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Photo Courtesy Medicine Hat Tigers

Lindstrom credits Hlinka-Gretzky experience for personal growth leading into Tigers season

Sep 12, 2023 | 5:03 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – With the start of the 23-24 Western Hockey League season now only only ten days away, training is ramping up both in the gym and on the ice for the Tigers.

Lefty and forward Cayden Lindstrom (Chetwynd, BC) says he spent his summer lifting weights and enjoying time with friends. He also had a lot of on-ice time, winning gold at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in August with Team Canada.

Lindstrom says the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup taught him the importance of teamwork. He says the team lacked unity during their defeats, such as in their first game against Sweden, but found success when they transitioned away from individualistic play.

He also says having new coaches over the summer with different teaching styles has shifted his play for better. Taking those experiences and translating them to the Tigers, he says he wants to stick up for his teammates more this year.

“Coming in this season, there’s no there’s no such thing as rookie mistakes anymore. So (I’m) kind of like a veteran I guess you could say now, not just that rookie anymore. I’d like to be like more of a leader this year and help my team as much as I can,” said Lindstrom.

Lindstrom was a rookie on the Tigers last year, named a finalist for WHL Rookie of the Year after playing 61 games and scoring 41 points (19 goals, 23 assists).

This pre-season season, the Tigers have won both games against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Their next game sees Swift Current at CO-OP place on Friday.