Go Tigers Go: Medicine Hat community, police and fire rally behind the team with send-off escort

Police and Fire crew escorting the Tigers bus

—

Medicine Hat Police Chief Alan Murphy said the sendoff gives both the team and the city a boost as they head into the series.

“It’s very exciting, it’s nice for the community to give the team a boost as they leave here, just so they know the city is behind them. It’s a huge community boost here,” Murphy said.

Murphy said the event builds on the momentum of last year’s playoff run and reflects the pride surrounding the team.

“I’m confident in our boys; it just brings me back to the last spring when we did this,” Murphy said.

Murphy said he made a friendly wager with Prince Albert Police Service Chief Patrick Nogier, both showing pride in their city’s team.

“We made a friendly wager that the chief of the losing [team] will have to wear the jersey of the other city for some time,” Murphy said.

“I’m not looking forward to that, and I don’t expect it to go that way. So, go Tigers,” he added.

“We’ve got a great team, Coach Desjardins is a great coach, so I think the city is going to give them a big boost.”

Firefighter Josh Fauth said the escort is also an opportunity to connect with the community and show support for the players.

“It’s a good thing to collaborate with police and see the community involvement, that’s the biggest thing, to rally behind these guys,” Fauth said.

“We see the community come out from all over Medicine Hat as we go through it.”

Fauth said being part of the sendoff allows first responders to witness firsthand the level of support the team receives across the city.

“It’s really cool to be a part of and to see everybody come together at once,” Fauth said.

“You get to see the community and everybody come out and support these young men going away and being able to play,” he added.

“So I think it’s really important to give them the support and be able to send them off.”

Fauth said that even with windy conditions keeping some fans sheltered early on, the support remains strong and continues to build.

“Last year it grew as the run went on, and now it looks like they’re starting with that momentum right away. It’s a really awesome thing to see,” Fauth said

Both Murphy and Fauth said the sendoff is about more than hockey, pointing to the sense of unity it creates across the city.

“It’s an exciting time for our city, I just want to see everybody get behind the team,” Murphy said.

Will Bryant, play-by-play voice of the Tigers, said it’s really special to see the support the community has for the Tigers and how that has impacted the team.

“Last year, during the league finals, the send-off served as a rallying point for the club, and hopefully this year it will do the same as they battle Prince Albert,” Bryant said.

by Jett Schwaier

Go Tigers Go: Medicine Hat community, police and fire rally behind the team with send-off escort

Our Community