Hitmen unveil 20th anniversary jersey

From the Hitmen Office:

The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club will proudly enter its 20th Western Hockey League season in 2014-15.  In celebration of this milestone, the franchise is excited to introduce a 20th anniversary jersey that honours the team’s inaugural season and pays tribute to the club’s namesake and one of the original owners, Bret “Hitman” Hart.  The limited edition throwback jersey, black with grey and pink, includes two shoulder patches; one that features Hart’s famous words, ‘The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be’, while the opposite shoulder is dressed with the historic Hitmen starburst logo.

In appreciation for the continued support the Calgary Hitmen receive from the community, the purchase or renewal of select 2014-15 season ticket packages will include a complimentary premium 20th anniversary jersey. Starting today, fans can also pre-order the commemorative jersey at 10 per cent off the retail price.  The special pre-order offer ends August 31, 2014. The jersey is expected to arrive in all FanAttic locations in September.

The 20th anniversary jersey will make its on-ice debut during the 2014-15 Calgary Hitmen Home Opener at the Scotiabank Saddledome and will be worn on many occasions throughout the season.

Chris Driedger signs with Ottawa

Release from Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators (@Senators) announced today that the club has signed goaltender Chris Driedger to a three-year entry-level contract.

Driedger, 19, was the Senators’ third-round selection (76th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft, which was held in Pittsburgh. He recently completed his fourth season of major junior hockey with the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen, ranking fifth among league goaltenders in save percentage (.918) and tying for seventh in wins (28).

                                           Photo Credit:  Brad Watson - Hitmen

The 6-3, 200-pound netminder has earned a record of 94-46-15 including eight shutout victories over 170 career WHL contests with the Hitmen and Tri-City Americans. On Jan. 31, he became only the sixth goaltender in WHL history to be credited with a goal when scored one of Calgary’s two markers in an eventual 5-2 loss to the Kootenay Ice in Cranbrook, B.C.

A Winnipeg native, Driedger surpassed current Los Angeles Kings’ goaltender Martin Jones to become the Hitmen’s all-time saves leader when he made his 3,375th stop for the club in Calgary’s 7-4 home win over Brandon on Feb. 1.

Hitmen season ends with Game 6 loss

The 2013-14 season for the Calgary Hitmen is over.

The Hitmen were eliminated from the WHL post season with a 5-3 loss to the Kootenay Ice in Game 6 giving the Ice a 4-2 series victory.

Jaedon Descheneau led the way for the Ice with four points (3g-1a) while Sam Reinhart had three.  The duo of Descheneau and Reinhart proved to be unstoppable in the series for Calgary with both players picking up 17 points in only six games.

After a scoreless first period the Ice took control in the second period building a 3-0 lead.  Calgary eventually got to within a goal in the final three minutes of the third period but Descheneau completed his hat-trick scoring into an empty net.

Before the game Ice forward Tim Bozon, who is still recovering from a bout with meningitis, dropped the puck in an emotional ceremonial face-off.  In a classy move all Hitmen players came off the bench to shake his hand.

                                                Photo Credit:  Chris Pullen - Ice

Calgary Hitmen 3 at Kootenay Ice 5
Saturday, March 29, 2014 - Western Financial Place - Cranbrook, BC

Calgary 0 0 3 - 3
Kootenay 0 2 3 - 5

1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Alfaro Ktn (high sticking), 1:20; Vetterl Ktn (tripping), 14:42; served by Welykholowa Cal (too many men), 17:47.

2nd Period
1, Kootenay, Descheneau 5 (Franko, Reinhart), 1:43.
2, Kootenay, Franko 5 (Dirk, Descheneau), 10:00.
Penalties-Zipp Cal (roughing), 3:01; Martin Ktn (roughing), 3:01; Martin Ktn (checking to the head), 5:39; Peterson Cal (interference), 10:14; Vetterl Ktn (delay of game), 17:21.

3rd Period
3, Kootenay, Vetterl 1 (Philp, Valiev), 1:44.
4, Calgary, Brassart 3 (Chase, Roach), 4:28.
5, Kootenay, Descheneau 6 (Dirk, Reinhart), 11:02 (PP).
6, Calgary, Tambellini 5 (Brassart), 16:22.
7, Calgary, Fazleev 3   17:34.
8, Kootenay, Descheneau 7 (Reinhart, Valiev), 19:23 (EN).
Penalties-Roach Cal (slashing), 10:53; Rissling Cal (holding), 12:21; Virtanen Cal (checking to the head), 13:28; Rissling Cal (cross checking, roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 20:00; Vetterl Ktn (roughing), 20:00.

Shots on Goal
Calgary 15-13-11-39. Kootenay 13-12-14-39.

Power Play Opportunities
Calgary 0 / 4; Kootenay 1 / 6.

Goalies
Calgary, Driedger 2-3-0-0 (38 shots-34 saves). Kootenay, Hoflin 4-1-0-0 (39 shots-36 saves).

A-3,916

Referees-Brett Montsion (54), Pat Smith (12).
Linesmen-Cody Huseby (88), Chris Carlson (92).

Ice take a 3-2 series lead

The Kootenay Ice built a leads of 3-1, 5-2 and 6-3 then held on for a 6-5 victory in Game 5 at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.

The win gives the Ice a 3-2 series lead heading back to Cranbrook with a chance to win the series Saturday night.

Sam Reinhart turned in a first star performance with five points (1g-4a) while Jaedon Descheneau scored twice and set up another for Kootenay who has now won back-to-back games in the series.

The game served up a controversial end to the second period when Kootenay's sixth goal appeared to enter the net after time had expired.  The replay of the goal from the overhead camera angle shown on the scoreboard indicated the period had ended before Descheneau's shot had gone in.  However the goal stood and the WHL released the following statement after the game.

“The video evidence in the Video Goal Judge booth clearly showed the puck had crossed the line with 0.1 seconds remaining on the clock. The Video Goal Judge booth is considered the official time clock when reviewing goals and is the same system utilized by the NHL.”

Ironically that controversial goal went on to become the game winner.

                                            Photo Credit:  Brad Watson - Hitmen

Kootenay Ice 6 at Calgary Hitmen 5
Thursday, March 27, 2014 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Kootenay 2 4 0 - 6
Calgary 1 2 2 - 5

1st Period
1, Calgary, Tambellini 3 (Chase, Rissling), 2:04 (PP).
2, Kootenay, Descheneau 3 (Franko, Reinhart), 5:56 (PP).
3, Kootenay, Reinhart 5   19:15.
Penalties-Cross Ktn (tripping), 1:46; Thomas Cal (hooking), 5:39; Helgesen Cal (charging), 12:10; McPhee Ktn (boarding), 14:47.

2nd Period
4, Kootenay, Cable 2 (Descheneau, Reinhart), 0:55.
5, Calgary, Peterson 1 (Lang, Thomas), 2:44.
6, Kootenay, Alfaro 1 (Franko, Vetterl), 5:18.
7, Kootenay, Philp 4 (Murray, Reinhart), 6:23.
8, Calgary, Helgesen 1 (Brassart, Chase), 18:28 (PP).
9, Kootenay, Descheneau 4 (Reinhart, Cable), 19:59.
Penalties-Rissling Cal (elbowing), 3:09; Dirk Ktn (hooking), 11:52; Dirk Ktn (interference), 16:41.

3rd Period
10, Calgary, Chase 4 (Helgesen, Brassart), 12:50.
11, Calgary, Tambellini 4 (Virtanen, Fazleev), 18:46.
Penalties-Rissling Cal (checking from behind), 2:46; Vetterl Ktn (tripping), 6:10; Philp Ktn (major-fighting), 17:06; Lang Cal (major-fighting), 17:06.

Shots on Goal
Kootenay 10-7-7-24. Calgary 5-9-17-31.

Power Play Opportunities
Kootenay 1 / 4; Calgary 2 / 5.

Goalies
Kootenay, Hoflin 4-1-0-0 (31 shots-26 saves). Calgary, Driedger 2-3-0-0 (14 shots-10 saves); Shields 0-1-0-0 (10 shots-8 saves).

A-6,826

Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Matt Kirk (4).
Linesmen-Chris Carlson (92), Sean Donnelly (109).

Ice even series with last minute goal

Jaedon Descheneau scored the game winning goal with 51.6 seconds remaining to give the Kootenay Ice a 5-4 win in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Quater-Final with the Calgary Hitmen.

The best-of-seven series is now tied 2-2.

Jake Virtanen, Ben Thomas, Greg Chase and Pavel Padakin all scored for the Hitmen who overcame deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 but couldn't hold onto a 4-3 second period lead.

The series now returns to Calgary for Game 5 Thursday night.  Game time is 7:00 p.m.

                                             Photo Credit:  Chris Pullen - Ice

Calgary Hitmen 4 at Kootenay Ice 5
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 - Western Financial Place - Cranbrook, BC

Calgary 2 2 0 - 4
Kootenay 3 1 1 - 5

1st Period
1, Kootenay, Philp 3 (Vetterl, Alfaro), 3:02.
2, Kootenay, Reinhart 4 (Franko, Peel), 6:35.
3, Calgary, Virtanen 1 (Thomas, Fazleev), 11:36 (PP).
4, Kootenay, Franko 4 (Descheneau, Dirk), 14:34 (PP).
5, Calgary, Thomas 1 (Chase, Rissling), 16:34.
Penalties-Tambellini Cal (slashing), 0:17; Valiev Ktn (slashing), 0:17; Descheneau Ktn (high sticking), 11:25; Lang Cal (charging), 13:06; Martin Ktn (interference), 16:55; Sanheim Cal (tripping), 17:09; served by Philp Ktn (too many men), 18:37.

2nd Period
6, Calgary, Chase 3   3:29.
7, Calgary, Padakin 1 (Peterson), 6:26 (SH).
8, Kootenay, Cable 1 (McPhee, Vetterl), 7:46. Penalties-Penner Cal (boarding), 5:28; Franko Ktn (slashing), 10:31; Lang Cal (holding), 16:59.

3rd Period
9, Kootenay, Descheneau 2 (Valiev), 19:08.
Penalties-Martin Ktn (checking to the head), 3:58; Thomas Cal (slashing), 7:13; Helgesen Cal (tripping), 9:11; Padakin Cal (inter. on goaltender), 9:28; Valiev Ktn (delay of game), 11:49.

Shots on Goal
Calgary 16-7-15-38. Kootenay 13-12-7-32.

Power Play Opportunities
Calgary 1 / 6; Kootenay 1 / 7.

Goalies
Calgary, Driedger 2-2-0-0 (32 shots-27 saves). Kootenay, Skapski 1-1-1-0 (18 shots-14 saves); Hoflin 1-0-0-0 (20 shots-20 saves).

A-2,102

Referees-Curtis Marouelli (86), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Jared Mackey (52), Michael Roberts (87).

Hitmen grab 2-1 series lead with OT win

It took 13 goals to decide a winner in Game 3 Monday night in Cranbrook.

Greg Chase scored 5:05 into overtime lifting the Calgary Hitmen to a 7-6 victory over the Kootenay Ice and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Radel Fazleeev forced extra time for Calgary scoring with eight minutes remaining in regulation.  The goal was Fazleev’s second of the game.

Landon Welykholowa also scored twice for the Hitmen with Adam Tamellini and Travis Sanheim adding singles.

Fazleev finished the game with a team high four points (2g-2a) while Mike Winther had three (3a).  

The Hitmen opened the scoring and never trailed until the final minute of the second period then twice overcame one goal third period deficits to force sudden death.

                                                Photo Credit:  Chris Pullen - Ice

Calgary Hitmen 7 at Kootenay Ice 6 - OT
Monday, March 24, 2014 - Western Financial Place - Cranbrook, BC

Calgary 1 3 2 1 - 7
Kootenay 1 4 1 0 - 6

1st Period
1, Calgary, Welykholowa 3 (Tambellini, Harmsworth), 3:22.
2, Kootenay, Philp 2 (Descheneau, Reinhart), 9:09 (PP).
Penalties-Chase Cal (slashing), 8:19; Valiev Ktn (hooking), 14:37; Dirk Ktn (tripping), 16:05.

2nd Period
3, Calgary, Welykholowa 4 (Zipp, Fazleev), 2:15.
4, Kootenay, Franko 3 (Descheneau, Dirk), 3:46 (PP).
5, Calgary, Tambellini 2 (Padakin, Thomas), 4:43.
6, Kootenay, Reinhart 3 (Philp, Descheneau), 13:29 (PP).
7, Calgary, Fazleev 1 (Winther)   14:10.
8, Kootenay, Dirk 1 (Reinhart, Descheneau), 15:27.
9, Kootenay, Descheneau 1 (Reinhart, Dirk), 19:47 (PP).
Penalties-Sanheim Cal (roughing), 3:07; Thomas Cal (roughing), 3:07; Cable Ktn (roughing), 3:07; Valiev Ktn (high sticking), 6:09; Padakin Cal (hooking), 10:24; Roach Cal (tripping), 13:00; Roach Cal (hooking), 18:45.

3rd Period
10, Calgary, Sanheim 1 (Brassart, Thomas), 5:17.
11, Kootenay, Dirk 2 (Reinhart, Descheneau), 11:23 (PP).
12, Calgary, Fazleev 2 (Winther, Padakin), 12:00.
Penalties-Roach Cal (slashing), 10:52.

OT Period
13, Calgary, Chase 2 (Winther, Fazleev), 5:05.
Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal
Calgary 11-9-8-2-30. Kootenay 6-15-7-3-31.

Power Play Opportunities
Calgary 0 / 3; Kootenay 5 / 6.

Goalies
Calgary, Driedger 2-1-0-0 (31 shots-25 saves). Kootenay, Skapski 1-1-1-0 (28 shots-21 saves); Hoflin 0-0-0-0 (2 shots-2 saves).

A-1,992

Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Michael Boisvert (111), Jim Maniago (85).

Hitmen respond with Game 2 victory

Chris Driedger made 35 saves for his second career shutout as the Calgary Hitmen blanked the Kootenay Ice 5-0 Saturday night at Scotiabank Saddledome to even their best-of-seven opening round series with the Ice at one.

Landon Welykholowa scored twice for Calgary while Alex Roach, Adam Tambellini and Brady Brassart added singles.  Tambellini and Brassart also had two assists each to finish the game with three points.

Welykholowa drew into the line-up after a pair of Game 1 suspensions to Joe Mahon and Linden Penner and opened the scoring 6:29 into the first period tucking a rebound off the backboards into the net.

Chase Lang had a pair of assists for the Hitmen who added two more goals in the second and two more in the third to nail down the victory.

The series now shifts to Cranbrook for Games 3 and 4 Monday and Tuesday.

                                               Photo Credit:  Brad Watson - Hitmen

Kootenay Ice 0 at Calgary Hitmen 5
Saturday, March 22, 2014 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Kootenay 0 0 0 - 0
Calgary 1 2 2 - 5

1st Period
1, Calgary, Welykholowa 1 (Sanheim, Lang), 6:29.
Penalties-O'Connor Ktn (roughing), 14:19; Brassart Cal (hooking), 15:25.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Roach 1 (Brassart, Tambellini), 1:33.
3, Calgary, Tambellini 1 (Virtanen, Brassart), 17:32.
Penalties-Virtanen Cal (hooking), 5:07; Vetterl Ktn (hooking), 7:06; Dirk Ktn (roughing), 13:47; Winther Cal (roughing), 13:47; Zipp Cal (roughing), 13:47.

3rd Period
4, Calgary, Brassart 2 (Chase, Tambellini), 12:39 (PP).
5, Calgary, Welykholowa 2 (Lang, Zipp), 19:35.
Penalties-Lang Cal (cross checking), 4:38; Philp Ktn (inter. on goaltender), 10:54; Vetterl Ktn (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 12:39; Brassart Cal (10-minute misconduct), 12:39; Chase Cal (10-minute misconduct), 12:39; Valiev Ktn (delay of game), 13:14; Zborosky Ktn (major-fighting), 15:45; Thomas Cal (boarding, major-fighting), 15:45.

Shots on Goal
Kootenay 4-15-16-35. Calgary 10-12-10-32.

Power Play Opportunities
Kootenay 0 / 5; Calgary 1 / 5.

Goalies
Kootenay, Skapski 1-1-0-0 (32 shots-27 saves). Calgary, Driedger 1-1-0-0 (35 shots-35 saves).

A-9,019

Referees-Chris Crich (20), Jon Stephenson (38).
Linesmen-Aidan Henderson (78), Cory Lundquist (128).

Kootenay wins series opener 5-2

Sam Reinhart and Zack Franco both scored twice as the Kootenay Ice drew first blood in their opening round best-of-seven playoff series with the Calgary Hitmen.

Greg Chase opened the scoring for Calgary, who was 36-5-0-2 when scoring first in the regular season, but the Ice responded with five unanswered goals en-route to victory.

The Hitmen fell into penalty problems and found themselves down a man seven times in the game which led to three Kootenay powerplay goals.

                                           Photo Credit:  Brad Watson - Hitmen

Kootenay Ice 5 at Calgary Hitmen 2
Thursday, March 20, 2014 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Kootenay 1 2 2 - 5
Calgary 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Chase 1 (Winther, Tambellini), 4:06.
2, Kootenay, Reinhart 1 (Philp, Descheneau), 10:28 (PP).
Penalties-Brassart Cal (boarding), 5:12; Brassart Cal (hooking), 8:24; Harmsworth Cal (hooking), 9:22.

2nd Period
3, Kootenay, Philp 1 (Reinhart, Dirk), 4:52 (PP).
4, Kootenay, Franko 1 (Dirk, Descheneau), 17:01.
Penalties-Lang Cal (inter. on goaltender), 4:18; Padakin Cal (high sticking), 6:36; Steenbergen Ktn (roughing), 10:51; Brassart Cal (roughing), 10:51.

3rd Period
5, Kootenay, Reinhart 2 (Valiev), 8:21.
6, Kootenay, Franko 2 (Vetterl, Valiev), 16:17 (PP).
7, Calgary, Brassart 1 (Virtanen, Thomas), 19:00 (SH).
Penalties-Dirk Ktn (hooking), 4:51; Rissling Cal (roughing), 14:25; Descheneau Ktn (cross checking), 15:41; Sanheim Cal (cross checking), 15:41; Penner Cal (major-cross checking, game misconduct), 16:45; Martin Ktn (10-minute misconduct), 17:14; Philp Ktn (slashing), 17:14; Reinhart Ktn (10-minute misconduct), 17:14; Lang Cal (10-minute misconduct), 17:14; Padakin Cal (inter. on goaltender), 17:14; Rissling Cal (10-minute misconduct), 17:14; Brassart Cal (10-minute misconduct), 19:03; Dirk Ktn (major-fighting), 20:00; Harmsworth Cal (major-fighting), 20:00; Mahon Cal (game misconduct), 20:00.

Shots on Goal
Kootenay 12-14-9-35. Calgary 5-13-11-29.

Power Play Opportunities
Kootenay 3 / 7; Calgary 0 / 1.

Goalies
Kootenay, Skapski 1-1-0-0 (29 shots-27 saves). Calgary, Driedger 1-1-0-0 (35 shots-30 saves).

A-6,649

Referees-Fraser Lawrence (10), Steve Papp (17).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Justin Slimm (105).

Hitmen vs. Ice in Round One of WHL Playoffs

The Calgary Hitmen will meet the Kootenay Ice in the opening round of the WHL Playoffs.  Their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarter-Final Series will be a 2-2-1-1-1 format with the Hitmen having home ice advantage.

The two clubs split their eight game regular season series with each club winning four times.  Calgary finished the season with a record of 48-17-3-4 in third spot in the Eastern Conference with 103 points.  Kootenay was 39-28-2-3 in sixth place with 83 points.

Here is the complete series schedule

CALGARY VS. KOOTENAY
(Series C)

Game	Visitor		Home	Date	Time
1	Kootenay	@	Calgary	Thursday, March 20	7:00 PM
2	Kootenay	@	Calgary	Saturday, March 22	7:00 PM
3	Calgary	@	Kootenay	Monday, March 24	7:00 PM
4	Calgary	@	Kootenay	Tuesday, March 25	7:00 PM
5	Kootenay	@	Calgary	Thursday, March 27	7:00 PM *
6	Calgary	@	Kootenay	Saturday, March 29	7:00 PM *
7	Kootenay	@	Calgary	Monday, March 31	7:00 PM*

*If Necessary

Hitmen fans can purchase a 16-game playoff package for as little as $7.44 per ticket.  Call 403-777-4646 or visit www.hitmenhockey.com for more details.  Individual game tickets, listed as Home Game A for Game 1 and Home Game B for Game 2, are also available at all Ticketmaster locations and the Scotiabank Saddledome box office.  Order online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

Kenton Helgesen named Player of the Year at Hitmen Awards Banquet

Sunday the Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club, in partnership with Petro-Canada, a Suncor Energy business, honoured their best at the 2013-14 Hitmen Awards Banquet at The Fairmont Palliser.  The afternoon featured a special address from Hitmen alumnus Brad Mehalko (1997-98).

The recipient of two awards, including the prestigious Suncor Energy Player of the Year award, was Anaheim Ducks prospect Kenton Helgesen.  The third-year player who skated as both a defenceman and forward this season set career highs in goals (10), assists (41), points (51) and plus-minus (31).  Past recipients of this honour include Cody Sylvester, Ryan Getzlaf and Brad Moran. 

“Kenton was asked to do it all this year by playing defence and forward along with leading the team and logging significant ice time,” said Mike Moore, Hitmen General Manager and Vice President, Business Operations. “He’s a well-rounded, versatile player who did what he was asked of him, played in many situations and has been a big influence on our hockey club and a large contributor to our success this season.” 

Playing in his final Western Hockey League season and third year with the Hitmen, Brady Brassart received three awards, including the Calgary Hitmen Leader Scorer award shared with fellow forward Greg Chase.  Brassart and Chase both finished the 2013-14 regular season with 35 goals and 50 assists for 85 points.  Chase was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the seventh round, 188 overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, while Brassart recently signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild.  

“Right from the start, Brady and Greg were going to be important for our scoring,” commented Moore. “While we were fortunate to add some depth to our offence at the trade deadline, these two were consistent throughout the season and showed the strength of our scoring core by sharing this award.”

                                        Kenton Helgesen was named Player of the Year

2013-14 Calgary Hitmen Team Awards

Ed Williams Player of the Month for March-Greg Chase

Calgary Hitmen Leading Scorer Award-Brady Brassart and Greg Chase (co-winners)

Calgary Hitmen Booster Club Fan Favourite Award-Brady Brassart

NSD Sports & Fitness Club Players’ Choice Award-Elliott Peterson

ENMAX Humanitarian Award-Brady Brassart and Mack Shields (co-winners)

Chrysler Canada Inc. Scholastic Player Award-Ben Thomas

Rookie of the Year Award-Ben Thomas and Travis Sanheim (co-winners)

Husky Energy Top Defenceman Award-Alex Roach and Jaynen Rissling (co-winners)

RE/MAX Three Star Award-Jake Virtanen

TELUS Coaches Award-Kenton Helgesen

Suncor Energy Player of the Year Award-Kenton Helgesen