Medicine Hat Tigers rookie Carlin Dezainde (right) standing next to his grandfather and Tigers' first captain Brian Carlin (left) in a submitted photo

By Scott Roblin

Third-Generation Tiger

VIDEO: Tigers’ Dezainde following in grandfather’s footsteps 50 years later

Apr 6, 2021 | 6:45 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Rookie Carlin Dezainde’s WHL career is only a handful of games old, however he’s already etched his name into Medicine Hat Tigers lore.

Just by jumping onto the ice this week for the Tigers, the 16-year-old Dezainde is now part of a remarkable full circle moment both for his family and the franchise as a whole.

For when he made his debut last Friday at home against his hometown Calgary Hitmen, Dezainde followed in the footsteps of his namesake and grandfather Brian Carlin.

Carlin’s time in Medicine Hat was short, however he had the honour of serving as captain in the Tigers’ inaugural 1970-71 season.

Fast-forward 50 years later and it hit Dezainde on game-day how special the moment was.

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“Back when they shut the old rink down I got to come here and he dropped the puck, that was just when I was little,” said Dezainde. “So, I’ve always cheered on the Tigers growing up, to come and sign and play is definitely really special for me.”

Carlin was among those watching the Tigers-Hitmen series online over the weekend at his home in Calgary, getting to see a familiar face wear the same colours as he once did.

“Never in my wildest dreams I thought he’d be a Medicine Hat Tiger,” said Carlin. “But here he is, a Medicine Hat Tiger, that’s where I finished my career. So, it couldn’t be a better story for me.”

Known as one of the fastest players in junior hockey in his heyday, not even that lightning quick speed could outrun the emotions that overcame the 70-year-old grandfather on Friday.

“I’m watching them sing Oh Canada and I’m watching them pan over and I see him on the bench,” said Carlin. “I have to tell you I got a tear in my eye. I was a little emotional about it to be honest with you, I didn’t think I would be but I was.”

It’s not just about the family name for the Tigers however, who signed Dezainde to his WHL standard player agreement earlier in the day.

Dezainde comes to Medicine Hat via Calgary’s Edge School program and arrived on the team’s radar with nine points in five games with the U18 prep squad this season.

“I’m watching them sing Oh Canada and I’m watching them pan over and I see him on the bench,” said Carlin. “I have to tell you I got a tear in my eye. I was a little emotional about it to be honest with you, I didn’t think I would be but I was.”

Tigers head coach and general manager Willie Desjardins called Dezainde’s debut a cool moment for the franchise, but added his skill is what sets him apart from other players of his age.

“I really think this kid could be good,” said Desjardins. “I think [director of player personnel] Bobby Fox did a good job identifying him and it was a big recruit for us.”

Through his first three games in the WHL, Dezainde has been held off the scoresheet but has been able to get top-line minutes alongside Tigers stars Ryan Chyzowski and Lukas Svejkovsky.

Tigers forward Carlin Dezainde looking up at the scoreboard ahead of his third WHL game on Monday (Photo courtesy of Colton McKee)

Dezainde’s hockey bloodlines don’t just end with his grandfather however, as his uncle is longtime NHL power forward Brad Isbister who dressed in 541 games between the Phoenix Coyotes, New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks.

Carlin wasn’t initially named Tigers captain when he arrived in the city, however he was awarded the ‘C’ after Ernie Heinemann suffered a career-ending eye injury after just three games.

While Carlin’s NHL career isn’t as lengthy, he still made it to the bigs with five games played with the Los Angeles Kings before parts of the next two seasons in the American Hockey League and World Hockey Association.

His standout offensive year did come in Medicine Hat though tallying 100 points in 65 games in 1970-71, though he believes his grandson has the tools to be ever more successful in the sport.

“Just watching that part of his game come together has been exciting for me,” said Carlin. “I don’t tell him to his face, but he’s probably a better hockey player than I ever was.”

Unsurprisingly, Dezainde’s first name is a tribute to his grandfather and has linked the two hockey-crazed Albertans for 16 years.

“It’s a big deal for me especially, me and my grandpa are really close with each other,” said Dezainde. “In his hockey career he did really well, so I’m just trying to follow in his footsteps and hopefully I can get to the level he played at one day too.”

Carlin is optimistic that this is just the start of the Dezainde’s rise through hockey both junior and beyond.

And based on experience, he doesn’t believe there’s a better place to start.

“Medicine Hat was a very, very important stepping stone for me,: said Carlin. “I’m just thrilled to see that Carlin gets to go down that same path and have that opportunity for himself.”