The Medicine Hat Tigers sang before their formal part of their season celebration came to an end. Jesse Gill/CHAT News

By Jesse Gill

SPORTS

Tigers show appreciation to Medicine Hat fans in year-end celebration

Jun 2, 2025 | 11:30 PM

Hundreds of fans celebrated the Medicine Hat Tigers at Co-op Place on Monday in bittersweet send-off to mark the end of a historic season.

The Tigers were fresh off a Memorial Cup final loss to the London Knights on Sunday night in Rimouski, Que.

Tigers game host Jesse Christianson reminded the crowd that even though the team didn’t win the Memorial Cup, there was still a prize that was won.

“Co-op Place is now home to the WHL Champions. That means next year we are going to defend who’s house,” Christianson said.

Fans chanted back, “Our house!”

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Christianson said this is going to arguably be talked about as one of the best Tigers teams ever.

“I think that you started to see that momentum switch around Christmas time, around the trade deadline, when the Tigers get Molendyk,” Christianson said.

“You start to see that brotherhood and then into the new year, you’re like, whoa, this team just doesn’t lose.”

Forward Ethan Neutens says he came to the team craving winning so bad, but the community was the biggest motivator for him.

“You show up to the rink and everybody’s there cheering you on. They got a convoy like carrying you out the city. It’s special, and we’re fortunate enough to say that we have a community that can do that for us,” Neutens said.

“I think just coming in that was the biggest motivator for me, the crowd, the fans, the community.”

Goaltender Harrison Meneghin said the team and group is important to him and it was so special.

“This group has been unbelievable, the staff and the fans, it truly does feel like home now,” Meneghin said.

“It’s kind of weird saying that because at the beginning of the year I was a Hurricane, but this truly does feel like home,” he added.

“Everything about this place is so amazing and it’s pretty clear to say I can call this place my home now.”

Tigers play-by-play voice Will Bryant was the master of ceremonies, but even legendary Tigers broadcaster Bob Ridley graced the stage.

The Tigers started closed things out singing Dixieland Delight, before highlighting how important the fan support was in helping them win the WHL championship.