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Ryan Chyzowski (right) named captain of the Medicine Hat Tigers (Photo courtesy of Randy Feere / Medicine Hat Tigers)
Captain Chyzowski

Chyzowski named Tigers captain for condensed 2020-21 season

Feb 24, 2021 | 11:48 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – After 257 games wearing the Medicine Hat Tigers uniform, veteran forward Ryan Chyzowski has been chosen to lead this year’s group through a unique WHL season.

Chyzowski was named Medicine Hat’s captain for the 2020-21 season, replacing graduated forward James Hamblin after two seasons wearing the patch on the Tigers jersey.

Set to enter his fifth season with the Tigers, Chyzowski has evolved into one of the team’s premier offensive weapons with 87 goals and 188 points over that span. That includes a career-high 69 points in 62 games last season, before the WHL was prematurely shut down in March.

Chyzowski also spent the last two campaigns representing the team as alternate captain.

The other two 20-year-olds on the 2020-21 Tigers roster have been named full-time alternates as well, with forward Brett Kemp and defenceman Cole Clayton set to sport the ‘A’ on their jerseys.

Clayton has played 191 career games for the Tabbies over three seasons, named a co-winner of the team’s Cliff Bast Memorial Best Defenceman Award at the end of last year.

As for Kemp, he arrived in the ‘Gas City’ midway through the 2018-19 season in a blockbuster trade in exchange for Josh Williams. Since that trade, Kemp has contributed in 98 points in just 86 games played in Medicine Hat.

The third alternate captain slot will be shared by forwards Corson Hopwo and Lukas Svejkovsky throughout the season,

WHL Live announced

The WHL also officially launched their WHL Live on CHL TV streaming service for fans on Wednesday, which the league says has received major improvements.

Earlier this month, the Canadian Hockey League partnered with Verizon Media to provide fans an updated way to view games online. Verizon Media had formed a partnership with the NFL earlier this year for live-streaming technology.

“The WHL is very excited to introduce WHL Live on CHL TV – a brand new way for hockey fans to experience WHL hockey in the comfort of their own homes,” said WHL commissioner Ron Robison in a statement. “We believe WHL Live on CHL TV will deliver a much improved viewing experience for fans who enjoy following the WHL.”

Pricing for WHL Live was also announced, with an all-access pass capable of streaming every game of the abbreviated WHL season running fans $59.99. A 24-hour access pass is also available for $6.99, which will let viewers watch all games played on the day the pass was purchased.

For the return of WHL hockey, the league will be offering free views for all home openers beginning on Friday night when the Tigers face-off against the Red Deer Rebels.

As part of the league’s return to play, no fans are currently allowed to view any games in-person.