CITY FACTS:

• According to a Native legend, a Cree medicine man lost his headdress while fleeing across the south Saskatchewan River from a bloody battle against the Blackfoot. His disheartened tribesmen surrendered and were massacred. This is the most likely explanation of Medicine Hat's name.
  
  

HOCKEY FACTS:

• The Medicine Hat arena is 32 years old and seats 4,000 fans, but has the best sightlines of any arena in the Western Hockey League.
• The Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL are the biggest hockey team in town.
• The Tigers have won three league championships and two Memorial Cups (1987, 1988). The franchise was founded in 1970.
• Years prior to the Tigers coming on the scene, hockey fans in Medicine Hat enjoyed senior hockey. The team was called the Blades and owned by Rod Carry.
• Former Tigers alumni include Detroit general manager Ken Holland, Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald, former Vezina Trophy winner Pete Peeters, Hockey Night in Canada personality Kelly Hrudey and Florida's Jay Bouwmeester.
• Other Medicine Hat teams are the Heritage Junior B Flint Energy Cubs, the Monarch Cable T.V. Midget Tigers and the Hockey Hound Bantams
• The Hounds host an annual bantam tournament that's considered one of the best in Western Canada. It celebrated its 30th anniversary in November.
  
  

NHL alumni from Medicine Hat:

• Approximately 14 people born in Medicine Hat have made it to the NHL.
• Notable alumni include Trevor Linden, Chris Osgood, Murray Craven and Blaine Lacher.