MEDICINE HAT, AB —He’s leaner, stronger, and faster.
He’s also one of a handful of Medicine Hat Tigers entering their overage campaigns.
Dalton Gally, a defenceman for the reigning Central Division Champions, is taking on a role as a mentor as he prepares for his final season of eligibility in the WHL.
Whether that role is used as a member of the orange and black is still unclear.
The Medicine Hat Tigers are allowed three ’98-born players on their roster this season. Forward Mason Shaw and defenceman David Quenneville fit the bill, but are unlikely to return having signed professional contracts with the Minnesota Wild and New York Islanders respectively.
Medicine Hat has already committed to 20-year-old Ryan Jevne, who’s been named one of three alternate captains. Meanwhile, blueliners Linus Nassen and Dylan MacPherson, both entering the last year of eligibility, are reportedly with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) for training camp.
If those two defenceman are released from Springfield and return to the Gas City, it would put the Medicine Hat Tigers over the limit of ’98-born players on their roster. Essentially, the club would have to move either Gally, Nassen, or MacPherson.
Understandably, that’s a situation 6’5″, 220 lbs Gally would like to avoid.
Mitch Bach of CHAT Sports recently caught up with the two-way blue-liner to discuss how he’s dealing with his overage uncertainty, the immediate benefits of his off-season training regime, and his role with the Tigers as he prepares for his final season in the WHL.
