Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Rhett Parsons already has the playoff facial hair under way as the 20-year-old is one of three players on the team who's Western Hockey League career will be completed when the Tigers conclude their post season. (Bob Schneider/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat Tigers overage players gear up for final playoffs with the team

Mar 28, 2024 | 12:06 PM

For a group of three players with the Medicine Hat Tigers, the start of the post season signals the final chapter in their Western Hockey League career.

Each season a WHL team is allowed to have three overage players on their roster, those who are turning 20-years-old in the year the season starts.

Defencemen Rhett Parsons, Dru Krebs and Bogdans Hodass are looking to make their final stretch wearing the orange and black last as long as it can.

Parsons from Cremona, Alberta expects a hard physical battle in their first round series with the Red Deer Rebels which begins Friday, and will be doing whatever it takes to win.

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“Every guy’s goal in that room is to win,” Parsons said.

“I think we’re going to go into this first series with a midset of winning and hopefully we can, so everyone is excited in there,” he added.

“I know all three of us 20-year-olds just want to leave it all out there and do whatever we can to help the team win.”

Dru Krebs for Okotoks, Alberta has enjoyed his time in Medicine Hat, and with the Tigers, now hoping to make this last run memorable.

“It’s pretty good. I’ve been here for a while, five years now, so I’m used to the town, I’m used to the team and everything,” Krebs said.

“It’s going to be hard saying goodbye whenever that happens, but I’m excited to go into the playoffs,” he added.

“Got nothing to lose. It’s my last hurrah and yeah I’m excited.”

Latvian Bogdans Hodass said being able to play in Medicine Hat for the Tigers has been amazing over his three years.

“First day when I came here, everyone was happy to see me. I appreciated the coaches teammates helping me helping me all those three years through here,” Hodass said.

“I was really excited. Kind of sad. It’s my last year, but really excited going to the playoffs and show my best.”

Parsons said the Tigers have been a first class organization to him over his four years.

“Me and my family have been lucky enough to play here my whole career,” Parsons said.

“We get treated so well down here and I’m confident we still go lots of hockey left. But, to this point it’s been really good.”

All three of these overage players are thrilled to get things going on Friday.

“I’m really pumped and excited for the playoffs because that is what I was waiting for all season,” Hodass said.

“I want to make a stretch with these guys. I love these guys. If we can make it as far as we can, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to do that,” Krebs said.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play here. We just want to bring a championship back to Medicine Hat,” Parsons said.

The final playoff push for a championship for these three 20-year-old season players and the rest of the Tigers starts in Medicine Hat Friday night at 7 at Co-op Place.