By Ryan McCracken on February 27, 2017.

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Zach Fischer gives a throwback Tom Lysiak jersey to Lysiak's wife, Melinda Lysiak (right), and daughter, Jessica Lysiak Braun, after his No. 9 was officially retired in a ceremony prior to Saturday's WHL game against the Brandon Wheat Kings at the Canalta Centre.Ê--NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN Medicine Hat Tigers forward Zach Fischer gives a throwback Tom Lysiak jersey to Lysiak's wife, Melinda Lysiak (right), and daughter, Jessica Lysiak Braun, after his No. 9 was officially retired in a ceremony prior to Saturday's WHL game against the Brandon Wheat Kings at the Canalta Centre.Ê--NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN



rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com

The Medicine Hat Tigers took a giant step toward building a history inside the walls of the Canalta Centre Saturday night with the retirement of franchise legend Tom Lysiak’s jersey No. 9.

Lysiak’s mother, sister, wife and daughter were on hand to watch his banner rise to the rafter before the Tigers squared off with the Brandon Wheat Kings. While Lysiak passed away last May following a long battle with leukemia, his daughter Jessica Lysiak Braun says the family was thrilled to finally see his name eternally lifted above the Tigers ice.

“This was something I would have dreamed to have happened when he was alive, just so he could see it. But I’m just so thrilled it worked out and my mom could fly in too,” she said. “We’re just so in awe of all he got to accomplish.”

While Jessica admits the Lysiak household didn’t focus on hockey after Tom retired from the sport, a chance occurrence brought them both back to the game while eventually expanding their family to include San Jose Sharks defenceman Justin Braun.

“Weirdly enough, when dad retired we never talked about hockey again. Then I got set up on a blind date with an NHLer and my dad was like ‘Nope, you’re not allowed to date him already,'” she said. “But they hit it off so he started getting into hockey again, he got invited to go back to the Blackhawks for Tom Lysiak night and stuff like that and we kind of all got back into it.”

Tom was a force to be reckoned with on the ice, both as a Tiger and in his 13-season NHL career. He led the Tigers to their first WHL championship after winning his second straight scoring title — the only player in team history to do so. Over 195 regular season games, Tom piled up a staggering 118 goals and 209 assists for 327 total points.

Away from the game, Jessica says her father was a true character, always out to put a smile on someone’s face.

“My dad was the complete jokester. Inappropriate at all times, socially unacceptable. He would show up to the nicest parties with his box of wine and start with a joke that no one should ever probably hear. But he’s just the warmest, loveliest human being,” she said.

Tigers head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston added he believes the night truly created a lasting connection between the team and the Canalta Centre after spending the first 45 years of the franchise’s history at The Arena.

“I think to have Tom Lysiak’s number and picture up in the rafters to go along with Lanny (McDonald’s), the Canalta is our new home but this makes it a much more special place,” said Clouston.

Forward Zach Fischer — the last Tiger who will ever wear No. 9 — capped off the ceremony by pulling off a throwback Tom Lysiak jersey and giving it to the Lysiak family. Fischer will now sport No. 39 on his jersey.

“I was speechless to be honest. It was kind of emotional from my part too. Being the last Tiger to ever wear that number and hand it off to that family is really special,” said Fischer. “I’m blessed to wear that number, I’m honoured. It was a great experience for me and one I’ll always remember.”

The evening featured archived video of Tom’s time with the Tigers and Chicago Blackhawks, both on the ice and in interviews with Tom, his teammates and his coaches. The video board also featured a throwback scoreclock for the game.