The WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers have announced the signing of 2008-born forward Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll to a WHL scholarship and development agreement.

Gordon-Carroll, a Salt Lake City native, was selected in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2023 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft by the Tigers. Gordon-Carroll played with the Chicago Mission 15U AAA program during the 2023-24 season, winning a gold medal at USA Hockey Nationals this season.

When speaking with the Tigers for the first time, Gordon-Carroll said he’s excited to become a Tiger.

“I’m looking forward to working with coach Willie Desjardins and speaking with him and associate coach Joe Frazer once I was drafted by Medicine Hat, I always felt welcomed,” he said. “I’m excited to get started with the organization that has a very bright future and the aspirations to win a championship.”

Desjardins said the signing of Gordon-Carroll is a strong addition to the Tigers.

“This a great day for the Tigers organization to add Shaeffer to our hockey club,” said Desjardins. “He’s an elite player that’s had a great career thus far, including winning a gold medal at the Youth Olympics this season with Team USA. We’re looking forward to having him at our upcoming prospects camp in the spring and seeing him have a great WHL career.”

Gordon-Carroll has spent the last three seasons a part of the Chicago Mission. He played in Utah for the Utah Jr. Grizzlies.

Tigers director of player personnel Bobby Fox said over the season watching Gordon-Carroll, he’s noticed immense growth to his game.

“Shaeffer is a right-handed forward that combines power with skill,” said Fox. “He plays a bulldozing style with strong skating and scoring ability.”

Gordon-Carroll will be in attendance at the Tigers prospects camp from May 31-June 2 in Medicine Hat. He will also be a part of Tigers fall main camp when the 2024-25 calendar rolls around for the upcoming WHL season.

— Medicine Hat Tigers Staff

(April 24, 2024)