The Calgary Hitmen are a major junior
ice hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in
CalgaryCalgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
,
AlbertaAlberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada. The Hitmen play in the Central Division of the
Western Hockey LeagueThe Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WHL). They play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Bret "The Hitman" HartBret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College...
, a local-born professional wrestler, was a founding owner as well as the inspiration for the team's name. Established in 1994, the team has been owned by the
Calgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
hockey club since 1997. They are the third WHL team to represent Calgary, preceded by the
CentennialsCalgary Buffaloes redirects here. For the former Alberta Junior Hockey League team of the same name, see Calgary Buffaloes The Calgary Centennials were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Canada Hockey League from 1966–1977...
and
WranglersThe Calgary Wranglers were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Hockey League from 1977 until 1987. The Wranglers played their home games in Calgary, Alberta, at the Stampede Corral.-Season-by-season Record:...
.
The Hitmen have finished with the
best recordThe Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the regular season champion of the Western Hockey League.It is named after one of the league's founders, Scotty Munro...
in the WHL four times, and qualified for the playoffs for thirteen consecutive seasons between 1998 and 2010. In 1999, they became the first Calgary team to win the President's Cup as league champions, and the first to represent the city in the
Memorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
since the
Calgary CanadiansThe Calgary Canadians were a junior ice hockey team that played in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In 1924, they became the first team from Alberta to play for the Memorial Cup, and in 1926, the first to win it....
won the national junior title in 1926. The Hitmen hold numerous WHL attendance records, and in 2004–05 became the first team in
Canadian Hockey LeagueThe Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
history to average 10,000 fans per game. Thirty-four former Hitmen players have gone on to play in the
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
.
Franchise history
Graham James left his position as coach and general manager of the
Swift Current BroncosThe Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos...
to found the Hitmen in 1994. He organized a group of eighteen investors in the club, including star
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
players
Theoren FleuryTheoren Wallace "Theo" Fleury is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League , Tappara of Finland's SM-liiga, and the Belfast Giants of the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League...
and
Joe SakicJoseph Steven "Joe" Sakic is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player and current hockey executive. He played his entire National Hockey League career with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. In his 20-year tenure, Sakic won the Stanley Cup twice, captured numerous NHL...
, along with
Bret HartBret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College...
, famous for his exploits in the
World Wrestling FederationWorld Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
. The
Calgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, who had just assumed control of the then Saddledome and were looking to fill extra dates in the building, were receptive to the new team.
Calgary had been without a WHL team since the
WranglersThe Calgary Wranglers were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Hockey League from 1977 until 1987. The Wranglers played their home games in Calgary, Alberta, at the Stampede Corral.-Season-by-season Record:...
moved south to become the
Lethbridge HurricanesThe Lethbridge Hurricanes are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Conference of the Western Hockey League in Lethbridge, Alberta. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centre.-History:...
in 1987. The league's expansion into Calgary was met with skepticism, as the league had previously failed in Western Canada's largest markets of
VancouverVancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
,
EdmontonEdmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Calgary and
WinnipegWinnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, when in competition with the NHL.
Controversial beginnings
The club selected its name and logo as an homage to
Bret "The Hitman" HartBret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College...
. The team's distinctive pink, grey and black jerseys were also modeled after Hart's ring attire. The logo proved immensely popular and Hitmen merchandise sold well at many local retailers. However, the name and logo were also subject to heavy criticism from segments of the public and the business community, who panned both as negative stereotypes of
violence within the sportViolence has been a part of ice hockey since at least the early 1900s. According to the book Hockey: A People's History, in 1904 alone, four players were killed during hockey games from the frequent brawls and violent stickwork....
. Among the chief critics of the new logo was the Flames organization. They had received calls from concerned business people over theme and shared that sentiment. Struggling to attract corporate sponsors, the Hitmen chose to scrap the "
Jason VoorheesJason Voorhees is a fictional character from the Friday the 13th series of slasher films. He first appeared in Friday the 13th , as the son of camp cook-turned-murderer, Mrs. Voorhees, in which he was portrayed by Ari Lehman. Created by Victor Miller, with contributions by Ron Kurz, Sean S...
"-style logo in favour of an alternate "starburst" logo just two months after it was unveiled. The club went back to the original logo in 1996.
The Hitmen entered their first season playing in the newly formed Central Division, and were predicted to finish as high as third in the five-team division. Instead, they finished as the second-worst regular season team in the league, posting an 18–51–3 record. The Hitmen lost
CAD$The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
250,000 in their first season and saw their season ticket base halved to 700 for the 1996–97 season. The losses lead to questions about the viability of the club.
Citing personal reasons, James stunned the organization when he resigned as coach and general manager on , 1996. Two days later, the
Calgary Police ServiceCalgary Police Service, formed in 1885, is the municipal police force for the City of Calgary, Alberta.- Organization :Founded in 1885, the current head of the CPS is Chief Rick Hanson...
revealed that James was being investigated on allegations he
sexually abusedSexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
two former players while he was with the Swift Current Broncos. James was charged, and in pled guilty to two counts of sexual assault. Upon James' conviction, and sentencing to 3½ years in prison, the Hitmen attempted to distance themselves from their former coach.
The Hitmen struggled on the ice as well, again missing the playoffs after falling to a record of 15–53–4. The spectre of the Graham James scandal hurt the franchise. The original investors, many of whom played for or were otherwise associated with James, sold the team to the Flames for approximately in . It was widely speculated that the new owners would change the team name, possibly to the Junior Flames, however they chose to retain the name although they adopted a new colour scheme and updated the logo.
First championship
Dean ClarkDean Clark is a former ice hockey defenceman and head coach of the Prince George Cougars. He played hockey with the Ferris State University Bulldogs in 1982-83. Dean Clark is also the former head coach of the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League...
took over as head coach shortly James' resignation, and led the 1997–98 Hitmen to a remarkable turnaround. The team improved to a 40–28–4 record and first place finish in the Central Division, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They defeated the
Saskatoon BladesThe Saskatoon Blades are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Western Hockey League. They are based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, playing at the 15,195 seat Credit Union Centre.-History:...
and
Swift Current BroncosThe Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos...
to reach the Eastern Conference final before falling to the
Brandon Wheat KingsThe Brandon Wheat Kings are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Brandon, Manitoba. They compete in the Western Hockey League, and joined the league in the 1967–68 season. Prior to that they played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and were known as the Brandon Elks for a short time in the...
. Clark was awarded the
Dunc McCallum Memorial TrophyThe Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the Coach of the Year in the Western Hockey League. It was named in honour of Dunc McCallum, who coached the Brandon Wheat Kings from 1976–81, compiling a 251–123–41 record during that time, winning the WHL Championship in 1979.-List of...
as the WHL's top coach, and also won the
Canadian Hockey LeagueThe Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
's
Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year AwardThe Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award is given out annually to the coach of the year in the Canadian Hockey League . Originally called the CHL Coach of the Year Award, the trophy was renamed in 2003 to honour Brian Kilrea when he won his 1,000th game as the coach of the Ottawa 67's...
. Calgary improved to 51–13–8 in 1998–99, finishing one point ahead of the
Kamloops BlazersThe Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...
for the
regular season titleThe Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the regular season champion of the Western Hockey League.It is named after one of the league's founders, Scotty Munro...
. Led by Brad Moran,
Pavel BrendlPavel Brendl is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL.-Playing career:...
and goaltender Alexandre Fomitchev, the Hitmen lost just five games in the playoffs en route to their first league championship. They won the title at home before a WHL playoff record crowd of 17,139. They became the first Calgary-based team to qualify for the
Memorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
since the
Calgary CanadiansThe Calgary Canadians were a junior ice hockey team that played in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In 1924, they became the first team from Alberta to play for the Memorial Cup, and in 1926, the first to win it....
won the
1926 titleThe 1926 Memorial Cup final was the eighth junior ice hockey championship of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. The George Richardson Memorial Trophy champions Queen's University of Eastern Canada competed against the Abbott Cup champions Calgary Canadians of the Calgary City Junior Hockey...
.
In the
1999 Memorial CupThe 1999 MasterCard Memorial Cup took place from May 15–23 at the Ottawa Civic Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Participating teams were the host Ottawa 67's, the Belleville Bulls, winners of the Ontario Hockey League, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, winners of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the...
, the Hitmen opened their tournament with a 5–3 victory over the
Ontario Hockey LeagueThe Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
's
Belleville BullsThe Belleville Bulls are a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 based in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.-History:...
, followed by a 4–3 loss to the host
Ottawa 67'sThe Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
. They followed with a 3–1 win over the
Acadie-Bathurst TitanThe Acadie–Bathurst Titan is a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . They play at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre in Bathurst, New Brunswick.-History:...
of the
Quebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
. Finishing atop the round robin standings, the Hitmen earned a bye into the championship game, and a rematch against the 67's. The championship game was a back-and-forth affair. Ottawa held 4–1 and 6–5 leads, while Calgary led 5–4 at one point and tied the game late to send it to overtime. The Hitmen fell short of winning the title however, as Ottawa's
Matt ZultekMatt Zultek is a professional ice hockey player who was drafted in the first round, 15th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. The Kings had acquired this selection from the St. Louis Blues as part of the 1996 Wayne Gretzky trade...
scored the winning goal 1:58 into overtime. Brendl and Matt Kinch were named to the Memorial Cup All-Star team.
The Hitmen entered the 1999–2000 season with a strong squad, along with expectations at making another run to the Memorial Cup. The club finished the regular season with a record of 58–12–2–2, once again winning the regular season title. The team set franchise records for victories (58) and points (120), which stood until the 2008–09 year. After sweeping the
Moose Jaw WarriorsThe Moose Jaw Warriors are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League which are based out of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The team plays its home games at Mosaic Place. The franchise moved to Moose Jaw from Winnipeg after the 1983–84 season, where they had previously been named the...
and Saskatoon Blades, the Hitmen were upset by the
Kootenay IceThe Kootenay Ice are a major junior ice hockey team based in Cranbrook, British Columbia and competing in the Western Hockey League. The team plays its home games at the Cranbrook Recreational Complex, also nicknamed the RecPlex.-History:...
in the Eastern Conference final, falling four games to one.
2000s
The Hitmen went through a rebuilding period and finished third or fourth in the Central Division between 2001 and 2004, winning only one playoff series during that time. The Hitmen acquired goaltender
Justin PoggeJustin Pogge is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. The Pirates are the top affiliate of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes...
from the
Prince George CougarsThe Prince George Cougars are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The team is based in Prince George, British Columbia, and plays its home games at the CN Centre...
during the 2004–05 season. Pogge's goaltending, along with the offensive leadership of forward
Andrew LaddAndrew Ladd is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger and captain of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League . He was originally drafted in 2004 by the Carolina Hurricanes and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2006...
, saw the Hitmen win their first playoff series in four years. They could not follow up on their victory over the
Lethbridge HurricanesThe Lethbridge Hurricanes are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Conference of the Western Hockey League in Lethbridge, Alberta. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centre.-History:...
, however, losing their second round series against the
Brandon Wheat KingsThe Brandon Wheat Kings are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Brandon, Manitoba. They compete in the Western Hockey League, and joined the league in the 1967–68 season. Prior to that they played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and were known as the Brandon Elks for a short time in the...
in seven games.
The Hitmen were heavily marketed by the Flames during the
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's 2004–05
lockoutA lockout is a work stoppage in which an employer prevents employees from working. This is different from a strike, in which employees refuse to work.- Causes :...
. As a result, the Hitmen averaged 10,062 fans per game and set a new league attendance record. The season total of 362,227 fans smashed the old record by over 45,000. The Hitmen became the first
Canadian Hockey LeagueThe Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
team to average over 10,000 fans per game, having the highest average attendance of any hockey team—junior or professional—in North America that year.
The 2005–06 Hitmen battled the
Medicine Hat TigersThe Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League who play out of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Established in 1970, the team has won two national Memorial Cups, five WHL League Championships and seven Division Titles. The Tigers play at the Medicine Hat Arena....
for the top spot in the Western Hockey League for most of the season. Calgary finished with 101 points, their best total since 1999–2000, however, finishing two points behind Medicine Hat for the best record in the league. The team again disappointed in the playoffs, falling to the
Moose Jaw WarriorsThe Moose Jaw Warriors are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League which are based out of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The team plays its home games at Mosaic Place. The franchise moved to Moose Jaw from Winnipeg after the 1983–84 season, where they had previously been named the...
in the Eastern Conference semi-final. Pogge's performance during the season earned him honours as both the WHL
player of the yearThe Four Broncos Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the Western Hockey League's Player of the Year.The trophy is named in honour of four members of the Swift Current Broncos who were killed on December 30, 1986 in the Swift Current Broncos bus crash, an accident that occurred when the team bus...
and CHL goaltender of the year. Calgary fell to third in the Central Division in 2006–07. In the playoffs, they upset the
Kootenay IceThe Kootenay Ice are a major junior ice hockey team based in Cranbrook, British Columbia and competing in the Western Hockey League. The team plays its home games at the Cranbrook Recreational Complex, also nicknamed the RecPlex.-History:...
, who finished 19-points ahead of Calgary in the regular season. The Hitmen then defeated the East Division champion Brandon Wheat Kings to reach the Eastern Conference final for the fourth time in franchise history, where they were subsequently defeated by the Tigers.
The Hitmen entered the
2007–08 seasonThe 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008....
with expectations of being strong contenders, voted the pre-season pick to finish atop the Eastern Conference by the league's coaches and general managers. The team lived up to expectations, winning the Central Division, and finishing with the best record in the East for the first time since 2000. During a late season game, Calgary broke the league's single-game attendance record, as an announced crowd of 19,305 watched Calgary defeat Kootenay by a score of 6 goals to 1. In the playoffs, the Hitmen defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors and
Swift Current BroncosThe Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos...
in six games apiece, advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season.
Second championship
Following the graduation of several players, including
Karl AlznerKarl Alzner is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Washington Capitals. He was drafted in the first round, 5th overall, by the Capitals in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...
, who was named both WHL player of the year and CHL defenceman of the year, the
2008–09The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...
Hitmen were expected to enter a rebuilding period. Instead, they captured the franchise's third Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the regular season champion, earning the top seed in the playoffs. The team tied or broke 21 franchise records during the regular season, including wins (59), points (122) and goals for (334).
Joel BrodaJoel Broda is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Bakersfield Condors of the East Coast Hockey League...
led the league with 53 goals, while
Brandon KozunBrandon Kozun is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League...
and
Brett SonneBrett Sonne is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League . He is a prospect in the St. Louis Blues organization, having been selected selected by the Blues in the third round, 85th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He is the 2009...
finished second and third in league scoring with 108 and 100 points respectively; it was only the second time in franchise history that two players topped the 100-point mark in the same season. In the playoffs, the Hitmen won 12 straight games, sweeping the
Edmonton Oil KingsThis article refers to the original Oil Kings franchises that existed until 1978. For the current team that began play in 2007, see Edmonton Oil Kings...
,
Lethbridge HurricanesThe Lethbridge Hurricanes are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Conference of the Western Hockey League in Lethbridge, Alberta. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centre.-History:...
and
Brandon Wheat KingsThe Brandon Wheat Kings are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Brandon, Manitoba. They compete in the Western Hockey League, and joined the league in the 1967–68 season. Prior to that they played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and were known as the Brandon Elks for a short time in the...
to reach the WHL finals for the first time since 1999. In the finals, they were stunned by the
Kelowna RocketsThe Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place....
, losing the first three games of the series before winning the next two to extend the series to a sixth game. The Hitmen lost game six in overtime, and the series 4–2, to end their season. Sonne was named WHL Player of the Year, while General Manager
Kelly KisioKelvin Wade Kisio is a former professional ice hockey player. Born in Peace River, Alberta, he is currently the General Manager of the Calgary Hitmen....
was named Executive of the Year for the second time in recognition of the Hitmen's season.
Calgary again finished with the best record in the regular season with 107 points on the strength of Kozun's CHL leading 107 points and the goaltending of
Martin JonesMartin Jones is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League . A prospect of the Los Angeles Kings, Jones was named the Western Hockey League's goaltender of the year in 2009–10 and won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2010 World Junior Ice...
, who was named goaltender of the year in the WHL. The Hitmen's playoffs nearly ended quickly as they lost three of the first four games in their opening round playoff series against the Warriors before winning three consecutive games to take the series in seven. They then beat the Tigers and Wheat Kings in six and five games respectively to reach the WHL championship series for the second consecutive year. Entering the final against the
Tri-City AmericansThe Tri-City Americans are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League, based in Kennewick, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center...
, the 11 players who returned from the 2009 finals lost vowed not to suffer a repeat of their disappointing finish to the previous season. Named the playoff MVP, Jones allowed only seven goals against in the final as the Hitmen defeated the Americans in five games to win their second Ed Chynoweth Cup in franchise history. The victory, in front of a home crowd of over 15,000 fans, earned the Hitmen a berth in the
2010 Memorial CupThe 2010 Memorial Cup was a 4-team round-robin format tournament played during May 14–23, 2010 in Brandon, Manitoba. It determined the 92nd major junior champions of the Canadian Hockey League . The Western Hockey League announced on October 15, 2008, that the Brandon Wheat Kings were chosen to...
tournament. At the tournament, Calgary posted a 2–1 record in the round robin, defeating the QMJHL's
Moncton WildcatsThe Moncton Wildcats are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They play at the Moncton Coliseum in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada....
and the host Brandon Wheat Kings, but lost the semi-final in overtime, also against Brandon.
Following the graduation of many of the team's top scorers, the Hitmen fell to last place the WHL in
2010–11The 2010–11 WHL season is the 45th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 24, 2010 and ended on March 20, 2011. The 2010 Subway Super Series, featuring Team WHL versus Team Russia, took place from November 17–18, 2010....
, at one point tying a franchise record with 12 consecutive losses. As part of the
2011 Heritage ClassicThe 2011 Heritage Classic was a regular season outdoor National Hockey League game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames. The game was played at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on February 20, 2011. The Flames defeated the Canadiens by a score of 4–0 before a crowd of...
, the Hitmen hosted the Regina Pats in an
outdoor game at
McMahon StadiumMcMahon Stadium is a Canadian football stadium located in Calgary, Alberta. The stadium is owned by the University of Calgary and operated by the McMahon Stadium Society....
on February 21, 2011. Regina won 3–2 before 20,888 fans, setting new WHL and CHL attendance records, and proving the highest attended junior game of all-time.
Community impact
The Hitmen are active within the community, supporting numerous programs and charities. They host an annual
teddy bear tossA teddy bear toss is a popular Christmas season promotion at many minor and junior hockey arenas throughout North America. Fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears to the game, and to throw them onto the ice when the home team scores its first goal. The toys are then gathered up to be donated as...
each December. The 13th annual Petro Canada Teddy Bear Toss, held on , 2007, saw what the Hitmen claim to be a
world recordA world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
26,919 bears tossed on to the ice by 17,341 fans. The bears are donated to charities throughout the
CalgaryCalgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
area. A few of the bears are personally delivered by the players to the
Alberta Children's HospitalAlberta Children's Hospital is the largest public hospital for sick children in the prairie provinces, and is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is operated by Alberta Health Services - Calgary Health Region. The new facility opened on September 27, 2006 and is the first free-standing...
, an event highly anticipated by patients attending the hospital.
The Hitmen are also partners with the Calgary Board of Education and their Read On! Literacy for Life program. Author
Sigmund BrouwerSigmund Brouwer is a well-known author with books published by mainstream and evangelical publishers. He has written scores of books across many genres, from children's picture books to scientific thrillers, and more....
has released numerous
young adultYouth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
oriented mystery novels that centre around the team and fictitious Hitmen players. The ninth book in the series, titled Hitmen Star, was published in 2008. Copies of the books are distributed to sixth grade students throughout Calgary and southern
AlbertaAlberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
schools; with Hitmen and former
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
players helping to encourage students to take an active interest in reading.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season |
GP |
W |
L |
T |
OTL |
GF |
GA |
Points |
Finish |
Playoffs |
| 1995–96 |
72 |
18 |
51 |
3 |
– |
222 |
359 |
39 |
5th Central |
Did not qualify |
| 1996–97 |
72 |
15 |
53 |
4 |
– |
199 |
360 |
34 |
4th Central |
Did not qualify |
| 1997–98 |
72 |
40 |
28 |
4 |
– |
265 |
232 |
84 |
1st Central |
Lost Eastern Conference final |
| 1998–99 |
72 |
51 |
13 |
8 |
– |
319 |
187 |
110 |
1st Central |
Won ChampionshipThe Ed Chynoweth Cup is an ice hockey club championship trophy awarded to the playoff champion of the Western Hockey League . Originally called the President's Cup when the league was founded in 1966, the trophy was renamed in 2007 to honour Ed Chynoweth's long service to junior hockey in Canada...
; Lost Memorial CupThe 1999 MasterCard Memorial Cup took place from May 15–23 at the Ottawa Civic Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Participating teams were the host Ottawa 67's, the Belleville Bulls, winners of the Ontario Hockey League, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, winners of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the...
final |
| 1999–2000 |
72 |
58 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
313 |
182 |
120 |
1st Central |
Lost Eastern Conference final |
| 2000–01 |
72 |
37 |
27 |
5 |
3 |
284 |
250 |
82 |
3rd Central |
Lost Eastern Conference semi-final |
| 2001–02 |
72 |
33 |
33 |
5 |
1 |
271 |
281 |
72 |
3rd Central |
Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final |
| 2002–03 |
72 |
27 |
36 |
7 |
2 |
240 |
260 |
63 |
4th Central |
Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final |
| 2003–04 |
72 |
34 |
24 |
8 |
6 |
220 |
187 |
82 |
3rd Central |
Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final |
| 2004–05 |
72 |
34 |
23 |
9 |
6 |
200 |
183 |
83 |
3rd Central |
Lost Eastern Conference semi-final |
| Season |
GP |
W |
L |
OTL |
SOL |
GF |
GA |
Points |
Finish |
Playoffs |
| 2005–06 |
72 |
47 |
18 |
3 |
4 |
195 |
155 |
101 |
2nd Central |
Lost Eastern Conference semi-final |
| 2006–07 |
72 |
39 |
26 |
3 |
4 |
251 |
205 |
85 |
3rd Central |
Lost Eastern Conference final |
| 2007–08 The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008....
|
72 |
47 |
20 |
1 |
4 |
259 |
166 |
99 |
1st Central |
Lost Eastern Conference final |
| 2008–09 The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...
|
72 |
59 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
330 |
159 |
122 |
1st Central |
Lost final |
| 2009–10 The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010...
|
72 |
52 |
17 |
1 |
2 |
269 |
177 |
107 |
1st Central |
Won Championship; Lost Memorial CupThe 2010 Memorial Cup was a 4-team round-robin format tournament played during May 14–23, 2010 in Brandon, Manitoba. It determined the 92nd major junior champions of the Canadian Hockey League . The Western Hockey League announced on October 15, 2008, that the Brandon Wheat Kings were chosen to...
semifinal |
| 2010–11 The 2010–11 WHL season is the 45th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 24, 2010 and ended on March 20, 2011. The 2010 Subway Super Series, featuring Team WHL versus Team Russia, took place from November 17–18, 2010....
|
72 |
20 |
47 |
3 |
2 |
171 |
271 |
45 |
6th Central |
Did not qualify |
NHL alumni
Thirty-six players have been selected from the Hitmen roster at the
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's
entry draftsThe NHL Entry Draft is an annual meeting in which every franchise of the National Hockey League systematically select the rights to available amateur ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility requirements...
. Of those, nine players were selected in the first round. The highest drafted players in club history were
Pavel BrendlPavel Brendl is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL.-Playing career:...
(
1999The 1999 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts. According to Sports Illustrated and other sports news agencies, at the time the 1999 draft was considered one of the deepest in talent in years, headed by Patrik Stefan and the Sedin twins. However, the...
) and
Andrew LaddAndrew Ladd is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger and captain of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League . He was originally drafted in 2004 by the Carolina Hurricanes and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2006...
(
2004The 2004 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is especially notable because it was the last NHL event to take place before the beginning of the lockout which canceled all the games scheduled for the 2004–05 NHL season.- Selections by round :Listed...
). Both players were selected fourth overall.
Thirty-five former Hitmen players have gone on to play in the
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. The first was
Ryan BastRyan Bast is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played two games in the National Hockey League with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 1998–99 season.-Career statistics:-External links:...
, who played two games with the
Philadelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 1998–99.
Andrew LaddAndrew Ladd is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger and captain of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League . He was originally drafted in 2004 by the Carolina Hurricanes and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2006...
has gone on to win two
Stanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
championships since graduating: with the
Carolina HurricanesThe Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
in 2006 and the
Chicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
in 2010. His former Hitmen teammate,
Ryan GetzlafRyan Getzlaf is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is a centre and the captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and he played junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen...
won the Cup with the
Anaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 2007.
- Karl Alzner
Karl Alzner is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Washington Capitals. He was drafted in the first round, 5th overall, by the Capitals in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...
- Ryan Bast
Ryan Bast is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played two games in the National Hockey League with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 1998–99 season.-Career statistics:-External links:...
- Kris Beech
Kristopher Beech is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, currently playing for Rauman Lukko in the Finnish elite league SM-Liiga.-Playing career:...
- Johnny Boychuk
John Paul Boychuk is a professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . He was a member of the Bruins' Stanley Cup Championship team in 2011.-Playing career:...
- Pavel Brendl
Pavel Brendl is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL.-Playing career:...
- Barry Brust
Barry Brust is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Brust is currently a member of the Straubing Tigers of the German Ice Hockey League. Brust has played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings...
- Brett Carson
Brett Carson is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
- Brodie Dupont
Brodie Dupont is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward, currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the NHL. He was drafted in the 3rd round, 66th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.-Playing career:Dupont current plays in the Nashville Predators organization...
- Justin Falk
Justin Falk is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . He was a fourth round selection of the Wild, 110th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...
|
Owen FusseyOwen Fussey is a Canadian ice hockey forward, currently playing for the Coventry Blaze of the British Elite Ice Hockey League.He was selected 90th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals....
T. J. GaliardiTerry Joseph Galiardi is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League.-Early years:...
Ryan GetzlafRyan Getzlaf is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is a centre and the captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and he played junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen...
Darcy HordichukDarcy Hordichuk is a Canadian professional hockey winger currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League...
Dustin KohnDustin Kohn is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the New York Islanders organization of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
Brent KrahnBrent Krahn is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He was drafted ninth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft and is currently a member of the Dallas Stars organization of the NHL....
Jordan KrestanovichJordan Krestanovich is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Braehead Clan in the British Elite Ice Hockey League.-Playing career:...
Andrew LaddAndrew Ladd is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger and captain of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League . He was originally drafted in 2004 by the Carolina Hurricanes and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2006...
Carson McMillanCarson McMillan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Houston Aeros in the American Hockey League...
|
Brad Moran
Chris Nielsen Chris Nielsen is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre.Nielsen was born in Tanzania while his Canadian father was stationed there working for the Canadian International Development Agency...
Stephen PeatStephen Peat is a Canadian ice hockey right wing. He was drafted in the second round, 32nd overall, by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft...
Matt PettingerMatthew Pettinger is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who is currently playing for Kölner Haie of the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga . He has previously played in the National Hockey League with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and the Washington Capitals...
Alex PlanteAlexandre Plante is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League. He was selected by the Edmonton Oilers 15th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and made his National Hockey League debut in 2009–10...
Justin PoggeJustin Pogge is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. The Pirates are the top affiliate of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes...
Paul PostmaPaul Postma is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League . He was drafted 205th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and is a prospect for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League...
Konstantin PushkarevKonstantin Vladimirovich Pushkarev is an ethnic Russian, Kazakh professional ice hockey player currently with the Astana Barys of the Kontinental Hockey League...
Brandon SegalBrandon Segal is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:...
|
Jeff SchultzJeff Schultz is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
Ray SchultzRay "Sugar" Schultz is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 45 games for the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League; recording four assists and 155 penalty minutes. Schultz was an eighth-round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.-...
Fredrik SjostromFredrik Sjöström is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger playing with Frölunda HC of the Elitserien. He previously played in the National Hockey League for the Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs.-Playing career:Sjöström is a big but speedy forward who...
Jerred SmithsonJerred Smithson is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League. Smithson scored the game-winning goal in Game 5 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs to beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2...
Rastislav StanaRastislav Staňa is a Slovak professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for Severstal Cherepovets of the Kontinental Hockey League....
Brad StuartBradley Stuart is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
Ryan ToblerRyan Tobler is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League. He played four games in the National Hockey League with the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2001–02 season, going scoreless. He retired after the 2009-2010...
Ryan WhiteRyan White is a Canadian professional ice hockey center currently with the Montreal Canadiens organization of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
|
Head coaches
Dean ClarkDean Clark is a former ice hockey defenceman and head coach of the Prince George Cougars. He played hockey with the Ferris State University Bulldogs in 1982-83. Dean Clark is also the former head coach of the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League...
has thus far been the most successful coach for the Calgary Hitmen. He led the team between 1996 and 2001, and in that time won more WHL games than any other coach. He was named coach of the year in both the WHL and CHL in 1998. Clark led the Hitmen to three division titles, two regular season titles, one league championship, and coached the Hitmen to their first
Memorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
final.
Kelly KisioKelvin Wade Kisio is a former professional ice hockey player. Born in Peace River, Alberta, he is currently the General Manager of the Calgary Hitmen....
is the team's former head coach from the 2004–05 season to the end of the
2007–08 seasonThe 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008....
, a role he shared with
Dean EvasonDean C. Evason is a Canadian former National Hockey League player who is currently an assistant coach for the Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...
in his first year at the helm of the Hitmen. Kisio stepped down as coach in 2008, naming former assistant
Dave LowryDavid John Lowry is a retired professional ice hockey player from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He played in the National Hockey League from 1985 to 2004...
, as head coach for the
2008–09 seasonThe 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...
. Lowry was promoted to an assistant with the
Calgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
after leading the Hitmen to a 122-point season in his rookie year. He was replaced by Mike Williamson, formerly the coach of the Portland Winterhawks. Kisio has been the team's general manager since the beginning of the 1998–99 season.
| # | Name | Dates | Notes |
| 1 |
Graham James |
1995–96 |
Resigned prior to 1996–97 season |
| 2 |
Jim Currie |
1996 |
Interim head coach |
| 3 |
Dean Clark Dean Clark is a former ice hockey defenceman and head coach of the Prince George Cougars. He played hockey with the Ferris State University Bulldogs in 1982-83. Dean Clark is also the former head coach of the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League...
|
1996–01 |
1998 WHL, CHL Coach of the Year The Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the Coach of the Year in the Western Hockey League. It was named in honour of Dunc McCallum, who coached the Brandon Wheat Kings from 1976–81, compiling a 251–123–41 record during that time, winning the WHL Championship in 1979.-List of...
|
| 4 |
Richard Kromm Richard Gordon "Rich" Kromm was a Canadian American ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames and the New York Islanders....
|
2001–04 |
|
| 5 |
Dean Evason Dean C. Evason is a Canadian former National Hockey League player who is currently an assistant coach for the Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...
|
2004–05 |
Co-coach with Kelly Kisio |
| 6 |
Kelly Kisio Kelvin Wade Kisio is a former professional ice hockey player. Born in Peace River, Alberta, he is currently the General Manager of the Calgary Hitmen....
|
2004–2008 The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008....
|
|
| 7 |
Dave Lowry David John Lowry is a retired professional ice hockey player from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He played in the National Hockey League from 1985 to 2004...
|
2008–09 The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...
|
|
| 8 |
Mike Williamson |
2009 The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010...
–present |
|
Club records
Season
Individual
- Most goals
In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to...
, 73, Pavel BrendlPavel Brendl is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL.-Playing career:...
, 1998–99
- Most assists
In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal...
, 72, Brad Moran, 1999–2000
- Most points
Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one...
, 134, Pavel Brendl, 1998–99
- Most penalty minutes
A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,...
: 302, Ryan Andres, 1997–98
- Best goals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
, 1.72, Justin PoggeJustin Pogge is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. The Pirates are the top affiliate of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes...
, 2005–06
- Most shutouts, 11, Justin Pogge, 2005–06
- Most games played, goaltender: 60, Alexandre Fomitchev, 1997–98
- Most saves, goaltender: 1,481, Alexandre Fomitchev, 1997–98
Team
- Most wins: 59, 2008–09
- Most points: 122, 2008–09
- Most goals for: 330, 2008–09
- Fewest goals against: 155, 2005–06
Career
- Most goals
In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to...
: 204, Brad Moran, 1995–00
- Most assists
In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal...
: 246, Brad Moran, 1995–00
- Most points
Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one...
: 450, Brad Moran, 1995–00
- Most penalty minutes
A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,...
: 704, Mike Egener, 2000–04
- Most games played, individual: 357, Brad Moran, 1995–2000
- Best goals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
: 1.92, Justin Pogge, 2004–06
- Most shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s: 16, Martin JonesMartin Jones is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League . A prospect of the Los Angeles Kings, Jones was named the Western Hockey League's goaltender of the year in 2009–10 and won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2010 World Junior Ice...
, 2006–10
- Most games played, goaltender: 179, Dan Spence, 2004–08
- Most saves, goaltender: 4,017, Dan Spence, 2004–08
Awards and honours
The Calgary Hitmen have captured numerous awards during the franchise's tenure. Hitmen players have been named the WHL's most outstanding player four times. Defenceman
Karl AlznerKarl Alzner is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Washington Capitals. He was drafted in the first round, 5th overall, by the Capitals in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...
won the
Four Broncos Memorial TrophyThe Four Broncos Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the Western Hockey League's Player of the Year.The trophy is named in honour of four members of the Swift Current Broncos who were killed on December 30, 1986 in the Swift Current Broncos bus crash, an accident that occurred when the team bus...
in 2007–08, also named the
defenceman of the yearThe Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the defenceman of the year in the Western Hockey League.It is named after one of the league's founders, Bill Hunter, who was the driving force behind the creation of the WHL...
, and
Brett SonneBrett Sonne is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League . He is a prospect in the St. Louis Blues organization, having been selected selected by the Blues in the third round, 85th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He is the 2009...
won the trophy in 2008–09. Goaltender
Martin JonesMartin Jones is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League . A prospect of the Los Angeles Kings, Jones was named the Western Hockey League's goaltender of the year in 2009–10 and won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2010 World Junior Ice...
captured numerous awards in Calgary's championship season of 2009–10, including being named the top goaltender of the Memorial Cup, and
Brandon KozunBrandon Kozun is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League...
led the entire Canadian Hockey League in scoring.
As a whole, the Hitmen have won the Central Division six times, and four times have been the
regular season championsThe Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the regular season champion of the Western Hockey League.It is named after one of the league's founders, Scotty Munro...
. Brad Moran, the franchise's all-time leading scorer, had his number 20 retired in 2005, the only player to be so honoured.
Western Hockey League champions
- 1998–99, 2009–10
The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010...
Scotty Munro Memorial TrophyThe Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the regular season champion of the Western Hockey League.It is named after one of the league's founders, Scotty Munro...
Regular season champions
- 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2008–09
The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...
, 2009–10The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010...
Central Division titles
- 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000
- 2007–08
The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008....
, 2008–09The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...
, 2009–10The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010...
Four Broncos Memorial TrophyThe Four Broncos Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the Western Hockey League's Player of the Year.The trophy is named in honour of four members of the Swift Current Broncos who were killed on December 30, 1986 in the Swift Current Broncos bus crash, an accident that occurred when the team bus...
Player of the year
- Brad Moran: 1999–2000
- Justin Pogge
Justin Pogge is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. The Pirates are the top affiliate of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes...
: 2005–06
- Karl Alzner
Karl Alzner is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Washington Capitals. He was drafted in the first round, 5th overall, by the Capitals in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...
: 2007–08The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008....
- Brett Sonne
Brett Sonne is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League . He is a prospect in the St. Louis Blues organization, having been selected selected by the Blues in the third round, 85th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He is the 2009...
: 2008–09The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...
Bob Clarke TrophyThe Bob Clarke Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Western Hockey League.It is named after National Hockey League Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke who was one of the WHL's early stars...
Top scorer
- Pavel Brendl
Pavel Brendl is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL.-Playing career:...
: 1998–99
- Brad Moran: 1999–2000
- Brandon Kozun
Brandon Kozun is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League...
: 2009–10The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010...
Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman TrophyThe Daryl K. Seaman Trophy is presented annually to the top scholastic player in the Western Hockey League. It is named for Daryl K. Seaman, a native of Calgary who worked for years to promote the cause of higher education in junior hockey....
Scholastic player of the year
- Chris Nielsen
Chris Nielsen is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre.Nielsen was born in Tanzania while his Canadian father was stationed there working for the Canadian International Development Agency...
: 1998–99, 1999–2000
Brad Hornung TrophyThe Brad Hornung Trophy is awarded annually to the most sportsmanlike player of the Western Hockey League.It is named after former Regina Pats player Brad Hornung who was paralyzed during a game on March 1, 1987.-List of winners:...
Most sportsmanlike player
- Matt Kinch: 1998–99, 2000–01
Bill Hunter Memorial TrophyThe Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the defenceman of the year in the Western Hockey League.It is named after one of the league's founders, Bill Hunter, who was the driving force behind the creation of the WHL...
Defenceman of the year
- Brad Stuart
Bradley Stuart is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
: 1998–99
- Karl Alzner
Karl Alzner is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Washington Capitals. He was drafted in the first round, 5th overall, by the Capitals in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...
: 2007–08The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008....
CHL Defenceman of the YearThe CHL Defenceman of the Year Award is given out annually to the top defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League.-Winners:*2010-11 Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires*2009–10 David Savard, Moncton Wildcats*2008–09 Jonathon Blum, Vancouver Giants...
- Brad Stuart
Bradley Stuart is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
: 1998–99
- Karl Alzner
Karl Alzner is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Washington Capitals. He was drafted in the first round, 5th overall, by the Capitals in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...
: 2007–08The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008....
Jim Piggott Memorial TrophyThe Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top rookie in the Western Hockey League.The award is named after Jim Piggott who was the founder of the WHL's Saskatoon Blades, as well as one of the first presidents of the league.- Winners :...
Rookie of the year
- Pavel Brendl
Pavel Brendl is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL.-Playing career:...
: 1998–99
CHL Top Draft Prospect AwardThe CHL Top Draft Prospect Award is given out every year to the top eligible prospect for the NHL Entry Draft from the Canadian Hockey League. The award was first given in 1991, and was not given from 2003–05.-Winners:...
- Pavel Brendl
Pavel Brendl is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL.-Playing career:...
: 1998–99