Tyler MacKenzie accepts congratulations from his teammates after being named team captain. (Screengrab From Video on Facebook/Medicine Hat Tigers)

By Chris Brown

Tigers name 40th captain in franchise history

Sep 21, 2023 | 2:37 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Medicine Hat Tigers have revealed who will wear the ‘C’ next to the Tiger head this season.

Tyler MacKenzie was named the 40th captain in franchise history on Thursday.

Previously an alternate captain, the 19-year-old MacKenzie has played his entire Western Hockey League career with the Tigers and is entering his third full season. He’s put up 23 goals and 45 assists in 129 career games. Last season he scored 18 goals and 22 assists in 58 games.

Head coach and GM Willie Desjardins told Tigers play-by-play voice Gino De Paoli about a conversation just after MacKenzie signed with the team.

“He was down in the dressing room with his father and I said to them both that today is a great day and I hope I’m never in a spot to lose Tyler and his father went up to me ‘well if that happens then it’s on Tyler.’ So with qualities like that, we know as a coaching staff and organization what we’re getting this season.”

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The announcement was made by former Tigers captain Steve Marr.

Defencemen Dru Krebs and Rhett Parsons were named alternate captains, and a third will be named later in the season.

The Tigers open the regular season Friday in Calgary against the Hitmen. They host the Hitmen in their home opener on Saturday at Co-op Place. Game time is 7 p.m.

You’ll be able to hear all the Tigers action live on Wild 94.5 with voice of the Tigers Gino De Paoli.

Saying goodbye

A few Tigers have left the team this week.

Blueliner Pasha Bocharov has been traded to the Tri-City Americans for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft.

The team has also parted ways with last year’s captain Owen MacNeil and goaltender Beckett Langkow.