Returning Tigers carry high compete level into new season
Medicine Hat Tigers returning from the 2021-22 season have the same mindset entering this season: that lack of success cannot happen again.
Tigers associate coach Joe Frazer said Thursday he has seen higher energy from the returning group coming off last year.
“I think lots of guys had a good summer, when you watch practice the pace is higher, the execution is better with the passes and crispness but I think the compete level is higher,” Frazer said. “Guys know last year is unacceptable and guys have come in with a chip on their shoulder, ready to show that we’re here to compete this year.”
Forward Brayden Boehm said getting back together with his teammates has been good as they look to have a better season.
“Some guys coming in are pretty talented, it’s nice to see and you just have to make sure that the coaches see that you can play with some of those guys,” Boehm said. “This year is going to be way better than we were last year, in our heads it’s how we do better than that and we have to almost forget about it and move on and figure out how to win this year.”
Boehm said he’s enjoyed playing alongside and getting to know Tigers prospects Gavin McKenna and Hayden Harsanyi, like former Tigers captain
Daniel Baker and Noah Danielson did with him when he was a rookie.
“I took in a lot from Danny and some of those guys. I’ve learned a lot from them with regard to bringing guys in and just being super nice and not yelling at them,” Boehm said. “Being there for them, joking around, putting a smile on their face. It kind of helps the younger guys feel less worried about making a mistake.”
The 18-year-old Nanaimo, B.C. product had seven goals and 19 points in 65 games last season, his rookie WHL campaign. He said he’s looking forward to the home opener on Sept. 24 as they look to grow and forget about last season.
“It’s important for us to get that one first, just to prove ourselves that it’s possible and I think we have the right squad to do it,” Boehm said. “We just have to trust in our systems, trust our guys and play our game.”
This training camp and preseason experience was different for forward Andrew Basha than last years. The then-16-year-old was trying to crack a roster spot and prove his WHL abilities.
This season, no roster spot is guaranteed but Basha is an easy name to pencil in after his showing last season.
He said it’s been a different kind of pressure in his second camp.
“There’s higher expectations but at the same time, it made it a lot easier to know that they knew I was going to be good for this team,” Basha said.
Frazer had high praise for Basha and Boehm coming off their summers of training.
“Basha looks really good. With the puck he might be one of the most skilled guys we have creating his own offense,” Frazer said. “With Boehmer, his speed opens up so much ice for everybody else whether he’s getting a breakaway or he’s just pushing the D back so guys have more space underneath them. Both guys showed great speed and that’s what we need.”
Basha said he worked on his speed, skating and shot this summer and feels faster on the ice. He said the summer was a reset for the whole team.
“Obviously the time off is really good for us. I think last year was obviously tough for everyone involved, but I think it was a good mental reset for everyone and we all worked very hard,” Basha said.
The Tigers were in Swift Current Friday night for preseason action. They host the Broncos Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Co-op Place to wrap up their preseason ahead of the home opener against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Sept. 24.