A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Darren Kruger has a vision for the future of the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Ever since moving from the bench to the bleachers, the Tigers associate coach-turned-senior director of player development has been driving the team’s future forward.
“I can’t say enough about how great a job Darren has done in his two years,” said Tigers head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston. “He’s worked tremendously hard. He’s watched an unbelievable number of games in the last two years and I think he’s got some real good guys.”
As Clouston points out, Kruger’s initial move to a scouting role was planned, “but he was going to be more of a Western Hockey League scout, and scout players after the draft; maybe looking at junior A players and midget aged players.” Then former head scout and assistant general manager Brad McEwen signed on with the Calgary Flames, and a door opened for Darren Kruger.
Kruger served as assistant coach with the Tabbies for five seasons, then associate coach for two more before he made the switch to director of player development. It was only a few months into Kruger’s new role that McEwen made the move to the big league, and Kruger found his responsibilities expanding, as well as his title.
“It was a new angle of hockey for me that I really didn’t dive into. I thought I’d take that opportunity and give it a whirl,” said Kruger. “It really gave me the opportunity to pick players that me and my scouts really want to see in our organization. You’ve got to get that sense of how you want the team to look like four-or-five years down the road. To me, that was intriguing.”
His six years of previous experience with the team and its scouts made the transition nearly seamless. Kruger immediately improved on Medicine Hat’s network of scouts, and alongside Tigers Saskatchewan-Manitoba scout Gary Carson, he’s hoping to build a champion.
“He’s kind of helped me along the way … We’ve been together for a long time. I trust my scouts and that’s a big thing that I need,” said Kruger. “We’ve got good scouts who have real good eyes. That’s very important in the business we’re in. They recognize good players. We do our homework, we make sure that we pick good, character kids. We want kids who are committed to our league, so we’re diligent.”
Since moving into a scouting position Kruger has helped signed on players like Max Gerlach while drafting future standouts like Ryan Chyzowski, and most recently fifth overall bantam draft selection Josh Williams. Many of his recent draft picks boast a combination of skill and size, but given the average prospect age of 14-16, Kruger says he looks for a strong mind above all else.
“As far as drafting players, we want smart, character, good sense hockey players,” said Kruger, adding he is always keeping tabs on future Tabbies. “We’re keeping in touch with them and seeing what their progress is like on and off the ice. We’re committed to them just like they’re committed to our program. So far it’s been great, we’re very proud these guys have committed and we’re looking forward to the future.”
Kruger’s most recent group of draft picks will meet up in Medicine Hat August 24 to kick off training camp with their annual trip to Cypress Hills.
