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WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

Tigers Join Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame

March 7, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


The Medicine Hat Tigers are excited and honoured to announce that the 1987 and 1988 Memorial Cup winning teams, as well as the legendary voice of the Tigers Bob Ridley have been selected for entry into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame.

"It is a tremendous honour for our organization to be inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame," said Tigers President and Governor Darrell Maser. "We would like to thank the nomination committee for selecting us."

"To win the WHL Championship in back to back years was quite an achievement, but to win the Memorial Cup in consecutive years on top of this is something our franchise will always cherish." Stated Maser.

The Medicine Hat Tigers are the only Alberta based team in the history of the Western Hockey League to win back to back Memorial Cup Championships.

1987 Memorial Cup Champions M. Fitzpatrick, S. McCrady, K. Van Rooyen, J. Weenas, G. Phillips, D. Kushner, J. Huscroft, K. Knopp, D. Chynoweth, W. McBean, M. Kuntz, T. Linden, N. Brady, R. Bonora, M. Pederson, K. Lindal, R. DiMaio, R. Dundas, W. Hynes, R. Williams, M. MacWilliam, M. Schwengler, T. Hudec, K. Hitchens, D. Henry, R. McKenzie, G. Maser, J. Cranston, B. Maxwell, R. Farwell, D. Ball

Coached by Bryan Maxwell, the 1986-87 Medicine Hat Tigers finished the regular season with a record of 48-19-5 capturing the East Division Pennant. The Orange and Black would go on to defeat the Moose Jaw Warriors, Saskatoon Blades and the Portland Winterhawks en route to their 2nd WHL Championship and earning their 2nd Memorial Cup berth.

On May 15th, 1987 at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium, the Tigers defeated the Oshawa Generals 6-2 to capture the teams first Memorial Cup Championship. Wayne McBean led the way for the Tigers earning the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the tournament Most Valuable Player.

1988 Memorial Cup Champions M. Fitzpatrick, W. McBean, N. Brady, T. Linden, D. Taylor, V. Boe, S. McCrady, R. McGill, M. Pederson, M. Woolf, C. Zankowksi, K. Lindal, R. DiMaio, J. Miller, W. Hynes, D. Kordic, D. Brook, C. Gainer, M. Barlage, N. Wilkinson, J. Prosofsky, M. Garbutt, J. Colvin, R. McKenzie, T. Hudec, G. Maser, R. Farwell, B. Melrose, D. Ball

The Medicine Hat Tigers looked to continue their championship ways the following season under the direction of new Head Coach Barry Melrose. The Tigers finished the 87-88 regular season campaign with a 44-22-6 record, this time defeating the Prince Albert Raiders, Saskatoon Blades and Kamloops Blazers to capture the WHL title for the second time in as many seasons.

On May 14th, 1988 the Tigers would achieve the unthinkable, capturing the second of their back to back Memorial Cup Championships with a thrilling 7-6 win over the Windsor Spitfires. Rob DiMaio would be named tournament MVP.

DiMaio would later say "At the time you don't look far down the road to expect something like this to happen. They were pretty special teams for Medicine Hat and junior hockey. Those feats are not repeated very often, so it was very special."

Bob Ridley

In the fall of 1970 Bob Ridley began his play by play career with the Medicine Hat Tigers. Over the next 49 seasons and counting, Ridley has called over 3900 games for the Orange and Black and has seen the team win five Western Hockey League Championships and two Memorial Cups. When asked what his favourite Tigers moments are, the Dean of Major Junior Hockey simply responds "Too many".

"Bob has been calling our games since this franchise played it's first game, that is unbelievable and a record that will likely never be equalled." Maser continued, "the man who we respectfully refer to as the Voice of the Tigers is a deserving recipient to enter the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame.

When asked about his induction, Ridley said "Considering the huge number of hockey people in our province deserving the honour, I feel privileged in receiving this prestigious award."

The 2019 Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame induction class was announced Thursday March 6th, 2019, in the Oilers Hall of Fame room at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.

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