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WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

McKenna Joins Elite Company in Tigers History

April 8, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


Medicine Hat, AB - Al Conroy was truly one of a kind when it came to playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers. From the time Conroy first laced the skates up for the Orange & Black, all 5'6 of him delivered an immediate impact for the Tigers and at 16 years old not only cracked the line-up every night, but a was a major contribution to the success of the organization from 1982 to 1986.

But at 16 years old, Conroy did the unthinkable in an era where players of his size and calibre would always be in tough every single night but Conroy answered the bell with 38 goals and 57 assists for 95 points.

Tigers Long-time broadcaster Bob Ridley says Conroy was one of a kind for his era.

"Al Conroy was an outstanding talent and leader. He played at a time when it was tough sledding against physically capable teams and he was always there for his teammates," he says. "Conroy wasn't all that big, but tough as nails and will always be one of my favourite Tigers."

Conroy's career would see him play in 266 games in Medicine Hat, notching 158 goals, 288 assists and the penalty minutes climbing to 446 by the time his final junior game came to an end. He represented Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships in 1985-86 earning a silver medal where he had eight points in seven games. Al would go on to a storied pro career that took him everywhere from Switzerland, Italy, Germany & Japan before being a part of the AHL with Adirondack & Hershey before finally getting into the NHL as he suited up in 114 games spanning three seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. Conroy when he finished playing, he went on to coach for four years first with the Charlotte Checkers in the ECHL & three seasons with the Spokane Chiefs from 2002 to 2005.

Conroy's record with points as a 16 year old Tiger would stand for 41 years and counting until March 23, 2024....

Tigers rookie Gavin McKenna was on pace to beat Conroy's record with a couple weeks left in the regular season but it would take until the final game of the 2023-2024 against the rival Lethbridge Hurricanes. McKenna would first tie Conroy's record just 1:45 into the first period and with less than four minutes left in the opening 20, McKenna would set-up Oasiz Wiesblatt for the Tigers second goal of the night, surpassing the milestone that took 41 years to beat. McKenna would go on to score once more to finish the season with 97 points and two ahead of Conroy's benchmark.

When asked about the record breaking night, the Whitehorse, YT product would laud Conroy's work put in before he was born,

"Going into the year I didn't know what to expect and it's a really cool feeling and it's something I'll remember with my family forever," he says. "For that record to be around as long as it was, it's incredible being a part of this franchise and the history behind it."

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