Lysiak’s No. 9 to be retired Feb. 25

The Medicine Hat Tigers will further cement Tom Lysiak’s legendary status next weekend at the Canalta Centre.

The longtime Tiger great will become just the second player in team history to receive the honour of having his number retired to the rafters during Medicine Hat’s game on Feb. 25 against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

“There’s a lot of culture on this team and it’s going to be a really special moment to be a part of,” said Tigers forward Mason Shaw. “It’s definitely something pretty cool when you get to see a numbers go into the rafters.”

The decision will effectively remove Lysiak’s No. 9 from the Tigers’ system, which leaves winger Zach Fischer in a predicament. The gritty 19-year-old with a nose for the net has worn No. 9 since he joined the Tigers back in the 2014-15 season, but given the chance to pay tribute to a legend, he says it won’t be hard to switch.

“I wasn’t disappointed at all. It’s tough giving up a number but it’s an honour wearing a number that a legend in the Tigers organization wore. I’m honoured to wear No. 9 for this team,” said Fischer, adding he will be taking No. 39, which keeps the 9 on his jersey. “That’s kind of the mindset I was thinking, keep it simple with No. 9 in it and don’t change it up too much.”

While it will happen posthumously — as the former WHL and NHL great died last May after a lengthy battle with cancer — the move will stand to honor Lysiak’s legacy with the Tigers. Lysiak joins former teammate and Hockey Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald as the team’s second player to have their number. The 1973 second overall NHL draft pick amassed 327 career points with the Tigers and went on to add 292 goals and 551 assists in 13 NHL seasons.

“They’re two heroes in this town, legends,” said Fischer. “Their names will be known for many years and playing for a team with so much history behind it is special.”