It’s a headline that’s been written before.
The Tigers were eliminated from the first round of playoffs two years in a row.
The Red Deer Rebels won Friday night’s game and clinched the best of seven series in five.
“Obviously it’s brutal that [the] season had to end like that, but I think every single guy in that room knows the potential that we have,” said Tigers’ rookie Gavin McKenna.
Despite the loss, McKenna, just 16 years old, still has a lot to look forward to in his future with the orange and black.
However, others have run out of time.
“It was really emotional and everyone was supporting us. Everyone was sad knowing that that was our last game,” said 2003-born Tigers’ defenseman Bogdans Hodass.
Hodass was the longest serving European Tiger in franchise history.
Defenseman Dru Krebs and Rhett Parsons are also aging out, both who became part of the Tigers leadership group.
“It was truly an unreal experience. The fans, the people,” said Krebs.
“The people are so nice in Medicine Hat. Although it’s a city, it has a small town feel,” he added.
The Tigers leadership group spent time skating with kids in the community, visiting the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and visiting local schools.
There was a stark contrast between Parsons fighter persona on the ice and his care for the community off of it.
“Just playing here in front of these fans for my whole career has been pretty special,” said Parsons.
“To call Medicine Hat home for the past four years, it’s been been awesome.”
Now, it’s time for the leaders to pass on the torch.
“Being how young they are and how good they are, it’s gonna be nothing but exciting stuff for Medicine Hat for years to come,” Krebs said, referencing the younger players.
Ready for the responsibility of leadership is McKenna, who ended his season breaking the record for most points by a 16-year-old rookie in Tigers franchise history.
“We’re just getting older, we’ve got such a great team. We’re gonna have a really bright future, so lots of exciting things to come,” McKenna said.
