Hitmen Rookies Fitness Tested

Calgary Hitmen Rookie Camp kicked off Thursday night with registration and fitness testing for the rookies.

A total of 79 player (age 15 and 16) were tested in five different categories.  They included the following:  135lb Bench Press, Chin Ups, Curl Ups, Broad Jump and Beep-Test.

Here were the leaders in each category:

Bench Press
Kyle Lissel 23 reps

Chin Ups
Geordie Keane 23

Curl Ups (Also known as Sit-ups)
Ben Shushkovsky 79

Broad Jump
Cole Zimmerman 254 centimetres

Beep-Test (An endurance running test)
Lawson McDonald, Addison Bazian, Andrew Jack and Shaun Cook all got to level 12.

The rookies now scrimmage until Saturday afternoon when a number of them will be promoted to main camp which opens Saturday night with fitness testing for the vets.  I'll be at all main camp scrimmages posting scoring summaries.

Pre-Training Camp Thoughts of Hitmen Head Scout Dan Bonar

Sportsnet 960 The Fan is home to the Calgary Hitmen with Husky Hitmen Hockey heard live throughout the season.

This week Hitmen Head Scout Dan Bonar joined the morning show to chat in advance of Training Camp which opened Thursday night with rookie fitness testing.

Click here to listen

Updated: Calgary Hitmen Training Camp Schedule

Are you ready for some hockey?

The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club will open their 2012 Training Camp on Thursday, August 23 at the Don Hartman North East Sportsplex, 5206 - 68 Street NE. 

Over 70 prospects are expected to attend the six-day camp that will include on-ice practice sessions and games, fitness testing and goalie development. 

The week will be highlighted by the annual Calgary Hitmen Intra-Squad Game which takes place on Tuesday, August 28 beginning at 11:00 a.m.

All on-ice training camp sessions, including the annual Intra-Squad Game, are free and open to the public. 

Rosters will be available at the Don Hartman North East Sportsplex.

Calgary Hitmen Rookie Camp Itinerary
Friday, August 24
8:30AM-9:30AM Practice 1 (White)
9:45AM-10:45AM Practice 2 (Red)
11:00AM-12:00PM Practice 3 (Black)
12:15PM-1:15PM Practice 4 (Copper)
1:30PM-3:30PM Game 1 (White vs Red)
3:45PM-5:45PM Game 2 (Black vs Copper)

Saturday, August 25
8:30AM-10:00AM Game 3 (Red vs Copper)
10:15AM-11:45AM Game 4 (Black vs White)
12:00PM-1:00PM Goaltender Development (All Goalies)
1:15PM-3:15PM Game 5 (Red vs Black)
3:30PM-5:30PM Game 6 (White vs Copper)

Calgary Hitmen Main Camp Itinerary
Sunday, August 26
8:30AM-10:00AM Game 1 (White vs Black)
10:15AM-11:45AM Game 2 (Red vs Copper)
1:00PM-3:00PM Game 3 (Red vs Black)
3:15PM-5:15PM Game 4 (Copper vs White)

Monday, August 27
9:00AM - 10:30AM    Game 5 (Black vs. White)
12:00PM - 1:30PM    Game 6 (Red vs. Black)
3:00PM - 4:30PM    Game 7 (Red vs. White)

Tuesday, August 28 
11:00AM-1:30PM Game 6 (Intra-Squad) Black vs White

CAMP NOTES:  I'll be at camp posting fitness testing results from both the rookies and veterans as well as posting game summaries from all the main camp scrimmages here on the blog.   

Calgary Hitmen 2012-13 Regular Season Schedule

The Calgary Hitmen have released their entire 2012-13 Regular Season Schedule.

The club will open the campaign on the road Friday, September 21st in Red Deer against the Rebels.  The Hitmen then return home to host the Kootenay Ice in their home opener one day later on Saturday, September 22nd at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Here is the complete schedule, with all game times listed in the home team time zone.

SEPTEMBER (4 Games: 2 Road, 2 Home)
Friday September 21, 2012 Calgary @ Red Deer 7:30 PM
Saturday September 22, 2012 Kootenay @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Friday September 28, 2012 Calgary @ Edmonton 7:00 PM
Saturday September 29, 2012 Red Deer @ Calgary 7:00 PM

OCTOBER (11 Games: 5 Road, 6 Home)
Friday October 5, 2012 Prince Albert @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Sunday October 7, 2012 Edmonton @ Calgary 2:00 PM
Friday October 12, 2012 Calgary @ Edmonton 7:00 PM
Saturday October 13, 2012 Red Deer @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Sunday October 14, 2012 Kamloops @ Calgary 4:00 PM
Tuesday October 16, 2012 Calgary @ Prince George 7:00 PM
Thursday October 18, 2012 Calgary @ Victoria 7:05 PM
Saturday October 20, 2012 Calgary @ Vancouver 7:00 PM
Friday October 26, 2012 Medicine Hat @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Saturday October 27, 2012 Calgary @ Red Deer 7:30 PM
Sunday October 28, 2012 Kelowna @ Calgary 4:00 PM

NOVEMBER (11 Games: 4 Road, 7 Home)
Friday November 2, 2012 Calgary @ Regina 7:00 PM
Saturday November 3, 2012 Calgary @ Brandon 7:30 PM
Sunday November 4, 2012 Calgary @ Moose Jaw 6:00 PM
Wednesday November 7, 2012 Moose Jaw @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Friday November 9, 2012 Victoria @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Sunday November 11, 2012 Kootenay @ Calgary 4:00 PM
Sunday November 18, 2012 Swift Current @ Calgary 2:00 PM
Tuesday November 20, 2012 Calgary @ Lethbridge 7:00 PM
Wednesday November 21, 2012 Lethbridge @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Friday November 23, 2012 Medicine Hat @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Friday November 30, 2012 Saskatoon @ Calgary 7:00 PM

DECEMBER (12 Games: 5 Road, 7 Home)
Sunday December 2, 2012 Kootenay @ Calgary 2:00 PM
Tuesday December 4, 2012 Calgary @ Kootenay 7:00 PM
Friday December 7, 2012 Calgary @ Edmonton 7:00 PM
Saturday December 8, 2012 Edmonton @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Tuesday December 11, 2012 Kamloops @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Wednesday December 12, 2012 Calgary @ Red Deer 7:00 PM
Saturday December 15, 2012 Regina @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Sunday December 16, 2012 Kelowna @ Calgary 4:00 PM
Tuesday December 18, 2012 Edmonton @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Friday December 28, 2012 Lethbridge @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Saturday December 29, 2012 Calgary @ Lethbridge 7:00 PM
Monday December 31, 2012 Calgary @ Kootenay 5:00 PM

JANUARY (13 Games: 8 Road, 5 Home)
Wednesday January 2, 2013 Brandon @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Friday January 4, 2013 Moose Jaw @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Sunday January 6, 2013 Vancouver @ Calgary 4:00 PM
Tuesday January 8, 2013 Calgary @ Brandon 7:00 PM
Wednesday January 9, 2013 Calgary @ Moose Jaw 7:00 PM
Friday January 11, 2013 Calgary @ Regina 7:00 PM
Saturday January 12, 2013 Calgary @ Swift Current 7:00 PM
Friday January 18, 2013 Prince George @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Saturday January 19, 2013 Calgary @ Medicine Hat 7:30 PM
Friday January 25, 2013 Calgary @ Lethbridge 7:00 PM
Sunday January 27, 2013 Brandon @ Calgary 4:00 PM
Tuesday January 29, 2013 Calgary @ Medicine Hat 7:00 PM
Wednesday January 30, 2013 Calgary @ Swift Current 7:00 PM

FEBRUARY (12 Games: 8 Road, 4 Home)
Friday February 1, 2013 Calgary @ Saskatoon 7:05 PM
Saturday February 2, 2013 Calgary @ Prince Albert 7:00 PM
Wednesday February 6, 2013 Calgary @ Portland 7:00 PM
Friday February 8, 2013 Calgary @ Everett 7:35 PM
Saturday February 9, 2013 Calgary @ Seattle 7:05 PM
Tuesday February 12, 2013 Calgary @ Tri-City 7:05 PM
Wednesday February 13, 2013 Calgary @ Spokane 7:05 PM
Saturday February 16, 2013 Victoria @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Sunday February 17, 2013 Regina @ Calgary 4:00 PM
Friday February 22, 2013 Prince Albert @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Saturday February 23, 2013 Calgary @ Kootenay 7:00 PM
Wednesday February 27, 2013 Saskatoon @ Calgary 7:00 PM

MARCH (9 Games: 4 Road, 5 Home)
Friday March 1, 2013 Swift Current @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Sunday March 3, 2013 Calgary @ Medicine Hat 6:00 PM
Tuesday March 5, 2013 Calgary @ Saskatoon 7:05 PM
Wednesday March 6, 2013 Calgary @ Prince Albert 7:00 PM
Saturday March 9, 2013 Lethbridge @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Sunday March 10, 2013 Red Deer @ Calgary 4:00 PM
Tuesday March 12, 2013 Medicine Hat @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Friday March 15, 2013 Calgary @ Kootenay 7:00 PM
Saturday March 16, 2013 Kootenay @ Calgary 7:00 PM

Hitmen make just one pick in CHL Import Draft

The Calgary Hitmen made just one selection in today's CHL Import Draft. 

Holding the 50th overall pick Calgary took 18-year-old right winger Pavlo Padakin from Kiev, Ukraine.

Last season Padakin recorded 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points along with 73 penalty minutes over 51 games with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL). 

He added five points, including three goals, in 10 playoff games.

GM Kelly Kisio on Padakin:  “Pavlo has already played one year in North America and has adjusted to our culture.  We’re excited to get him in the system and playing with our team.”

 

NHL Draft calls three Calgary Hitmen

The 2012 NHL Entry draft is a stepping stone for many players in their persuit of a pro hockey career.  For three members of the Calgary Hitmen, they took that first step on day two of the draft.

Goaltender Chris Driedger, coming off a 24 win season, was drafted in the third round, 76th overall by the Ottawa Senators.

“I’m overwhelmed with excitement,” says Driedger.  “It’s a dream come true.”

"Chris has tremendous upside,” adds Hitmen goaltending coach Darcy Wakaluk.  “He's a very big goalie that moves well.”

Rookie defenceman Kenton Helgesen was selected in the seventh round, 187th overall, by the Anaheim Ducks,

“I am very excited,” says Helgesen.  “It's added motivation to keep working hard and pursue my goal of playing in the NHL."

Fellow blueliner Jaynen Rissling was also drafted in the seventh round, 197th overall by the Washington Capitals.  The 18-year-old just completed his third WHL season.

“I’m excited for Chris, Kenton and Jaynen,” says Hitmen Head Coach Mike Williamson.  “Getting drafted is one step closer towards realizing their dreams of playing pro hockey.  All three players are dedicated and committed athletes and will help form a strong returning core.”

I had a chance to catch up with Driedger before the draft to get his thoughts leading up to the draft.

Click here to listen

Calgary Hitmen Pre-Season Schedule

It might only be June, but the Western Hockey League has released its 2012-13 Pre-Season Schedule.  It opens August 28th wrapping up September 16th and includes 59 games along the way.  For the Calgary Hitmen there are a total of six games, with only one in the city of Calgary.

Here is the Hitmen schedule:

Saturday September 1 vs. Medicine Hat Tigers 3:00 p.m. Edmonton Tournament
Sunday September 2 vs. Swift Current Broncos 3:00 p.m. Edmonton Tournament
Wednesday September 5 vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes 7:00 p.m. Taber
Friday September 7 vs. Red Deer Rebels 7:00 p.m. in Calgary at WinSport (COP)
Saturday September 15 vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes 7:00 p.m. Crowsnest Pass Tournament
Sunday September 16 vs. Kootenay Ice 2:00 p.m. Crowsnest Pass Tournament

The 2012-13 Calgary Hitmen regular season schedule will be announced when the complete WHL schedule is unveiled on Wednesday, June 27.

Hitmen deal Trzonkowski

The Calgary Hitmen have hooked up with the Kamloops Blazers sending 18-year-old forward Rob Trzonkowski to the Kamloops Blazers in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

Trzonkowski, a former eighth round pick of the Hitmen, played two seasons in Calgary totaling 16 points (4g 12a) in 111 games to go along with 200 penalty minutes.

The reality for Trzonkowski was when Jake Virtanen arrived at the end of the season he saw very little playoff time, appearing in just two games.  I think it's safe to say with the depth the Hitmen have at forward, Trzonkowski would have found it difficult to play his way into the top nine on a regular basis.

I am sure by giving up a fourth round pick, the Blazers feel he can fill that role for them.  Kamloops also acquires a character individual who will be missed by many teammates in Calgary.

All the best with the Blazers Rob!

P.S.  Among his many posts about the trade Rob (@RobertT33) had this to say on twiiter:  Made so many great friendships in the past two years. Gonna miss the boys! Good luck to all of you, but watch out fellas, I'll be coming!

Hitmen deal Glover to Seattle

The Calgary Hitmen have traded 20-year-old goalie Brandon Glover to the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for a third round pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Daft.

The move reduces the potential number of overage options for the Hitmen to six for the upcoming season while sending Glover into a starting situation.  This deal also means Chris Driedger will take over as the number one goalie in Calgary. 

It's a win-win trade for both teams and players in my mind.

I'll post an interview with GM Kelly Kisio on this deal tomorrow.

2012 WHL Bantam Draft

The Calgary Hitmen opened the draft by taking a puck moving defenceman with their first round pick, 17th overall, in 6'1" 160 pound Brennan Riddle.  Riddle, who doesn't turn 15 until July, played AA Bantam in Saskatchewan with the Prairie Storm.  The Balgonie product had 17 points (11g 6a) in 22 regular season games adding eight more (3g 5a) in nine post season appearances.

Hitmen Head Scout Dan Bonar on Riddle:  "Brennan has good size and skates well. We expect him to come in and play as a 16 year-old"

Riddle captured the Allstar defenceman award in Regina at the Bantam AA Challenge Tournament in November
                                             Hitmen first round pick Brennan Riddle

        
In the second round the Hitmen turned back to Saskatchewan to select the top scorer from the Saskatchewan Bantam AA League in Terrell Draude.  The just turned 15 year-old had a monster season with the Sask Valley Diamond Pharmacy Vipers racking up 94 points (54g 40a) in only 24 games.  The 6'2" 180 pound centre added another 15 points (9g 6a) in five playoff games.  

                   Terrell Draude Photo Credit:  http://westernelitehockeyprospects.blogspot.ca/

The Hitmen did not have a third round pick, traded to Tri-City in the Chris Driedger trade but had a pair of fourth round selections.  With their first, at 83rd overall, they drafted: Jordan Stallard, a 5'9" 140 pound Centre from Brandon Bantam AAA Div. 1.  Stallard had 37 points (10g 27a) in 30 regular season games to lead the Brandon A & W Wheat Kings in scoring, finishing fifth overall in league scoring.

                              Jordy Stallard Photo Credit:  http://www.hockeymanitoba.ca/

With the 84th overall over pick the Hitmen drafted 5'10" 160 pound right winter Cal Babych from the North Shore Winter Club Winterhawks AAA Bantam.  Cal is the son of former NHLer Dave Babych who played almost 1,200 regular season games.  No stats available.

Calgary had acquired that pick in this October 26th, 20011 Trade: 
-To MJ: 20-year-old Kenton Miller and 19-year-old Justin Kirsch. 
To Calgary: 20 year-old Collin Bowman, 18-year-old Joey Kornelsen and a 4th round pick in the 2012 Bantam Draft.

With the 105th overall selection the Hitmen took 5'10" 159 pound centre Scott Petkau from Steinbach, Manitoba.  He played this past season with the Southeast Blizzards Bantam AA.  He had 11 points (4g 7a) in 11 games at the Hockey Manitoba Bantam AAA Showcase for the Eastman Selects.  However his regular season numbers are not available.

                                                              Scott Petkau

In Round 6, 127th overall the Hitmen took their first goalie of the draft in 5'11" 158 lbs Carson Franks from Red Deer Black Bantam AAA.  His team won only six of 33 regular season games this season with Franks posting a 4.32 goals against average and .873 save percentage.  He turned in a brilliant Alberta Cup posting a 1.99GAA and .909 save percentage in 150 minutes of work.

                                                             Carson Franks

In Round 7, 149th overall, the club took 5'11" 188 pound right defenceman Lochlan Morrison from the Prince Albert Bantam AA Venice House Raiders. He finished fifth in the league in points for a defenceman with 30 (11g 19a).

                                         Lochlan Morrison Photo Credit: PA Herald

In Round 8, 171st overall the Hitmen drafted left defenceman Alex McGovern of Vernon, B.C. who split time between the Notre Dame Bantam AA Hounds and Notre Dame Midget AA Hounds.  On the midget squad McGovern had 11 assists in 31 games.

In Round 9, 193rd overall Calgary selected 5'7" 169lbs left defenceman James Shearer from Brandon AAA Bantam.  He was the captain of the A and W Wheat Kings this season and picked up 29 points (9g 20a) in 30 games.

                                                             James Shearer

In Round 10 at 215th overall the Hitmen drafted 5'9" 145lbs centre Grady McInnes from the Campbell River Bantam A Tyees.  However his regular season numbers are not available.