By Charles Lefebvre

Year in Review – Medicine Hat Tigers

Dec 23, 2018 | 8:45 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — 2018 was another memorable year for the Medicine Hat Tigers.

The team once again made the Western Hockey League playoffs, and several players signed professional contracts or moved on to the next phase of their hockey career.

Here are some of the top stories involving the Medicine Hat Tigers this year.

February 26 – Tigers clinch playoff spot 

For the 15th time in 16 seasons, the Tigers clinched a playoff spot.

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Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

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Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

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Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

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March 3 – Don Cherry Jersey Night raises $50,000 for Kidney Foundation. 

Taking the ice in special Don Cherry themed jerseys, the Tigers topped the Red Deer Robels on the ice, and an auction of the jerseys netted nearly $50,000 for the Kidney Foundation.

April 1 – Tigers eliminated from playoffs. 

The Tigers were eliminated by the Brandon Wheat Kings in the opening round of the playoffs. The Wheat Kings topped the Tigers in overtime in Game 6.

April 6 – Quenneville signs with Islanders. 

Drafted by the New York Islanders in 2016, the defenceman signed an entry-level deal with the team. Quenneville is currently playing in the ECHL with the Worcester Railers.

April 27 – Shaw signs deal with Wild 

Shaw, who missed the 2017-18 season with a knee injury, signed an entry level contract with the Minnesota Wild, who drafted him in 2017. Shaw is currently a member of the Iowa Wild, Minnestoa’s AHL affiliate.

May – Sillinger picked in Bantam draft. 

Cole Sillinger, a member of the OkanaganHockey Academy, was drafted 11th overall. He is the son of former Nhl player Mike Sillinger, and has played two games with the Tigers so far this season.

June 28 – Sogaard drafted. 

The Tigers drafted goaltender Mads Sogaard from Denmark, and Russian winger Vasili Podkolzin in the 2018 Import Draft. Sogaard made the trip to North America, and has been playing strong so far this season. Podkozlin did not travel to North America, but is considered a top-5 NHL Draft Pick in the 2019 draft.

June 24 – Players earn rookie camp invites. 

Although he went undrafted this year, Ryan Chyzowski still got some attention from the NHL. He was invited to rookie camp for the Vegas Golden Knights, and also received a training camp invite. Teammate Dylan MacPherson was also invited to Florida Panthers rookie camp. 

July 17 – Tigers hire new assistant coach. 

Ryan Smith joined the Medicine Hat Tigers coaching staff, months after serving as an associate coach with the Swift Current Broncos.

August 12 – Williams wins gold with Team Canada. 

Williams had a strong showing at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in Edmonton, earning six points and helping Team Canada towards a gold medal win.

October 25 – Gary Haden traded. 

Haden was traded to the Saskatoon Blades, allowing the Tigers to acquire Logan Christensen.

November 1 – Rybinski seeks a trade. 

The team announced Rybinski, 17, had requested a trade from the Tigers. In a release at the time, the team said Rybinski’s agent and family wanted a top -six role on the team. A deal has not yet been reached, and Rybinski is playing in the BCHL for the time being.

December 10 – Teddy Bear Toss delivery. 

After scoring against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on December 1, roughly 1,900 stuffed animals were thrown onto the ice. They were donated to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, the Salvation Army and the Women’s Shelter.