Brett Calhoon holding his the puck he scored his first career WHL goal with on Febraury  25, 2023, after a 7-3 Medicine Hat Tigers victory over the Kamloops Blazers. (Jacob Varcoe Photo)

By Jacob Varcoe

Tigers’ Calhoon pots first career WHL goal against hometown team

Feb 27, 2023 | 2:19 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Scoring your first career is memorable for an athlete. Having it come against your hometown team makes it even more special.

Brett Calhoon scored his first career Western Hockey League goal on Saturday against the Kamloops Blazers. The goal was also the game-winner in the 7-3 Medicine Hat Tigers victory.

Five minutes into the middle frame, Calhoon raced out of the penalty box and found himself on a breakaway, cashing in on the opportunity by sliding the puck under the pad of Kamloops goalie Matthew Kieper.

“It was great, you kind of hope to do it every game and then you finally do it and you feel happy,” said Calhoon, on Monday.

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“More importantly, it was a win when you put it all together. If you get a goal and you lose it doesn’t really mean much, but, it was a great team win and I’m really happy with the outcome.”

Scoring his first career goal against the team he grew up cheering for makes it even better for the rookie forward.

“It means everything, we had season tickets there growing up,” said Calhoon.

“It was great, I know a couple of the guys on that team and all my family and stuff back home was watching.”

Many hockey players collect pucks, sticks, and other memorabilia from their career milestones, this will also be the case for Calhoon.

“I think Mikki has it right now,” he said.

“Yeah, it’s definitely going to be hung up somewhere.”

The 18-year old has recorded one goal with two assists through eight games played in the 2022-23 WHL regular season. He’s also netted 12 goals and 15 assists in 24 games with the South Alberta Hockey Academy U18 Prep team.

The Tigers are back in action on Tuesday, facing off against the Swift Current Broncos at Co-op Place with puck drop at 7:00pm.