Returning Tigers looking to avoid dreaded ‘sophomore slump’

“We started to get some chemistry going and we were roommates last year on the road, so got a good bond going,” said Anderson. “So, it’s nice to play with him.”

There’s only one open spot in the Tigers forward core, but they’re big shoes to fill.

Captain Mark Rassell and his 50 goals have graduated to the University of New Brunswick, which means players like Anderson will need to pick up the slack.

“Mark’s a pretty big loss, he’s a good player,” he said. “He’s moving on and doing better things, so just going to have to step up and do the best I can every night.”

Josh Williams will likely get a look at the team’s top-six after leading Canada to a gold medal at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer.

The reigning Tigers rookie of the year exploded for three points against the Lethbridge Hurricanes in pre-season action on Saturday in Taber and said there’s opportunity to excel this year.

“We got a lot of returning guys this year, 12 forwards are returning,” said Williams. “So, I think all of us got to play in a bigger role and if we want to be successful, we all got to accept that bigger role.”

Williams has already started to form a partnership on and off the ice with 2018 first-rounder Cole Sillinger, assisting on two of the youngster’s goals on Saturday.

It’s a partnership that according to Williams, is already giving fans an exciting glimpse into the future.

“He’s a really talented player,” he said. “Being 15-years-old and scoring two goals in the Western League is a pretty good feat. So, he’s a really skilled player, and I just tried to work off of him and set him up as much as I could.”

The duo share a unique relationship as Williams was in the same position as Sillinger two years ago, and has begun to impart some advice on the 15-year-old.

“You always try to give him pointers, see what worked for you and what didn’t,” he said. “Try to help him out and try to give him the easiest road possible.”

The road to the WHL for returnee Jaxon Steele has been winding to say the least, cut from the team after 17 games last year and sent down to the AJHL’s Calgary Canucks for the rest of the season.

Steele said it’s a good feeling being invited back to Tigers training camp and interact with his former teammates.

“It’s good to play with them, they’ve obviously improved a lot,” said Steele. “[Williams] was with Team Canada there, so that’s pretty cool. Then just seeing all the guys again, it’s really exciting.”

And he’s making the most of his opportunity, netting a pair of goals over the weekend against Lethbridge.

“It’s pretty special,” he said. “I think when you go back [to the AJHL], you’re that much more motivated to be back here and work that much harder because it means that much to you. And, this is a dream come true.”

Expectations are high for this year’s sophomore class, who are eager to earn more minutes under head coach Shaun Clouston in the hunt for a third straight Central Division banner.

Anderson added it’s an exciting time of the year and is pushing for a larger role ahead of the regular season.

“It would mean a lot, just got to work for it and we’ll see what happens,” he said.

Three pre-season games remain for the Tigers, as they travel to Moose Jaw on Friday night to kick off a home-and-home set against the Warriors.

by Scott Roblin

Returning Tigers looking to avoid dreaded ‘sophomore slump’

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