The Medicine Hat Tigers head into the 2010-11 with great optimism, thanks in large part, to the depth at all positions. A quick look at the forwards who could potentially return to the Tigers this season, and Tiger fans should should be excited.

1990 born forwards (20-year-olds):

Potential returning 20-year-old forwards are Wacey Hamilton and Joey Frazer. Hamilton will attend the Colorado Avalanche main camp as a free-agent with the potential turning pro should he earn a contract. Last season, Hamilton recorded 24 goals and 71 points in 67 games and led all Tigers in +/- with a +28 rating. Meanwhile, Frazer returns looking to lock down one of the three 20 year old spots and build off his 18 goal, 30 point season he posted last year.

1991 born forwards (19 year olds):

Three 19 year old players adding to the Tigers depth at forward are forwards Linden Vey, Cole Grbavac and newly signed Tyler Pitlick. All three players will depart to NHL camps with hopes of impressing the NHL brass and earning a contract. Vey (L.A. Kings - 2009 Draft pick), Grbavac (Dallas Stars - Free Agent invite) and Tyler Pitlick (Edmonton Oilers - 2010 Draft pick), will give the Tigers a solid group of '91 born players should all three return to the Tigers this seaosn. Last season, Vey led the Tigers in scoring with 51 assists and 75 points, while also scoring 24 times for the second straight season. Also attending camp is forward Sam Dezman, a 2006 Bantam Draft Pick, who played three games for the Tigers during the 2008-09 WHL Season.

1992 born forwards (18 year olds):

Last year's rookie sensation Emerson Etem returns to lead a core group of 18 year old fowards that will be heavily counted on. Etem, a recent NHL 1^st Round Draft Pick of the Anaheim Ducks, led all WHL rookies in goals with 36 last year, while leading the Tigers in both power play (13) and short-handed (5) goals. The Long Beach, CA native will attend the Ducks main training camp this coming fall. Fellow 2^nd year forward Kale Kessy will look to add offence to his already physical game. Kessy caught the eye of many with his thunderous checks, while chipping in 11 goals and 29 points. Newly acquired Ryan Harrison gives the Tigers yet another young offensive threat. The Kelowna, BC native already has two full seasons under his belt, posting back-to-back 14 goal campaigns with the Prince Albert Raiders.

1993 born forwards (17 year olds):

Dylan Bredo and Reid Petryk are amongst a small group of three that played for the Tigers on a regular basis as 16 year olds last season. Bredo, a 2^nd Round 2008 Bantam Draft pick, played 53 games last season, recording one goal and one assist in limited ice time. Petryk, a 4^th Round 2008 Bantam Draft pick, also added one goal and chipped in six assists in only 45 games. Both players will look to build on last years' experience and become regulars in the Tigers lineup. Other 1993 born players who saw action last season for the Tigers include Colin Mospanchuk (2008 - 5^th round Bantam Pick), Boston Leier (2008- 3^rd round) and Curtis Valk, who was listed by the Tigers, are all in camp and looking for a spot.

1994 born forwards (16 year olds):

This year's group of 16 year old forwards at main camp include 2009 1^st round WHL Bantam Pick Hunter Shinkaruk along with fellow 2009 picks Jayden Hart (3^rd round) and Connor Garden (9^th round).

On defence, the Tigers strength, like the forwards, may be their overall depth.

1990 born defencemen (20-year-olds):

On the blueline Jace Coyle and Thomas Carr are two of four 20 year olds fighting to earn one of the three coveted overage positions. Coyle turned last season's success of 10 goals and 46 points into an NHL Entry Level contract with the Dallas Stars and could very well earn a spot somewhere in the Stars system. Carr, a defensive minded defenceman will give the Tigers a veteran presence on the blueline should he return.

1991 born defencemen (19-year-olds):

Matt Konan is the veteran amongst a group of three 1991 born defencemen having played three full seasons with the Tigers. Last year, Konan chipped in five goals and 20 points, while leading all Tigers defenceman in +/- with a plus 24 rating and 117 penalty minutes. 2^nd year blueliner and local product Tanner Sohn will look to build off his 29 game appearances last season, while import and New Jersey Devils' draft pick Sebastian Owuya gives the Tigers a physical presence. The 6' 3", 200 lbs native of Stockholm, Sweden played for Timra J20 in the Swedish Junior SuperElit League this past season. He also played eleven games for Timra in the Swedish Elite League. The Atlanta Thrashers selected Owuya in last weekend's NHL Entry Draft with their 6 ^th round pick, 169^th overall.

1992 born defencemen (18-year-olds):

Scott McKay is the only 1992 born defenceman on the Tigers returning from last year. McKay, who also filled in at forward last season, appeared in 47 games during the 2009-10 campaign and recorded two goals and three assists in his first WHL season.

1993 born defencemen (17-year-olds):

Having played 39 games last season as a rookie, Dylan Busenius will look to become a regular this season on the Tigers blueline. The Tigers 1^st round 2008 WHL draft pick, Busenius recorded seven assists in his rookie season. Fellow 17 year old and newly acquired through the 2010 CHL Import Draft, Patrik Parkkonen, is no stranger to Canada having represented Finland at the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge in Timmins, ON last December. The 17-year-old defenseman will be eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft next season.

1994 born defencemen (16-year-olds):

This year's group of 16 year old defencemen attending the Tigers main camp include 2009 Bantam Draft picks Kyle Becker (7^th round) along with listed players Robert Hamilton, Devin Henes, along with Mason Logan, who the Tigers acquired from the Regina Pats last season.

Goaltending also looks to be a great strength for the Tigers heading into the season.

1991 born goaltenders (19-year-olds):

Deven Dubyk will be competing for playing time after spending the majority of last season with the Tigers after a trade from the Moose Jaw Warriors. The 3^rd year goaltender posted a record of 9-4-0-2 in 21 appearances last season.

1992 born goaltenders (18-year-olds):

Tyler Bunz returns to the Tigers for his third season after a great sophomore season in the WHL. The recent Edmonton Oiler draft pick and former 1^st Round WHL Bantam pick started the majority of games for the Tigers last season, posting a record of 31-19-3-2 record in 57 games. Bunz will attend the Oilers training camp before returning to the Tigers.

1994 born goaltenders (16-year-olds):

Prince Albert, SK native Dawson MacAuley, who was with the Tigers during the 2010 playoffs, will look to impress the Tigers brass at this year's main camp. The 2009 2^nd Round WHL Bantam pick of the Tigers played last season in his hometown of Prince Albert, SK for the P.A. Midget AAA Mintos. MacAuley will also try and crack the Team Saskatchewan under-17 team.

In total the Tigers have 63 players heading into main camp, including the above mentioned players.

2010-11 MEDICINE HAT TIGERS MAIN TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE

Sunday, August 29, 2010
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm   Vets Fitness Testing
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm   Registration for Non List Players Followed by Parent/Player Presentation
6:00 pm - 8:15 pm   Scrimmage Team A vs. Team B

Monday, August 30, 2010
8:30 am - 9:30 am   Practice Team Orange
10:45 am - 12:45 pm   Scrimmage Team Black vs. Team White
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm   Goalie Session
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm   Pros Ice
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm    Practice Team Black
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm   Scrimmage Team White vs. Team Orange

Tuesday, August 31, 2010
8:30 am - 9:30 am   Practice Team White
10:45 am - 12:45 pm   Scrimmage Team Black vs. Team Orange
Releases to be done following each morning ice session today
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm   Goalie Session
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm   Pros Ice
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm    Scrimmage Team A vs. Team B

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
9:00 am - 10:00 am   Team A Practice
10:15 am - 11:15 am   Team B Practice
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm   Pros Ice
7:00 pm    Intra squad Black & White game

Main Camp Concludes