2013 WHL Bantam Draft Recap

The 2013 WHL Bantam Draft was held today at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino in Calgary.  The Hitmen made 11 picks selecting five forwards, five defencemen and one goalie.

ROUND 1:
(18TH OVERALL)  Beck Malenstyn from the Okanagan Hockey Academy.   He was the top scorer for the OHA AAA Bantam Red with 107 points (57g 50a) in 53 games.

HITMEN HEAD SCOUT DAN BONAR'S REPORT CARD: He's versatile and can play any forward position.  He comes to play every night, works hard, takes the body and is a powerful skater.  He kind of reminds me of a player we had here in the past, Brett Sonne.  We know what Brett did for our team (242GP 89G 82A 171PTS) and we think this guy can do the same.

ROUND 2:
(40TH OVERALL)  LW Dawson Martin from the AAA Bantam Winnipeg Monarchs.  At 5'11" 153lbs, Martin had 33 points (11g 27a) in 25 games this season.

ROUND 3
(49TH OVERALL)  Defenceman Aaron Hyman from the Calgary Flames.  Hyman has tremendous size at 6'3" 205lbs.  Following the selection he tweeted "Huge thanks to @WHLHitmen for drafting me 49th overall and all my coaches and friends for the support!"

ROUND 4
(68TH OVERALL) Goaltender Kyle Dumba from the Calgary Flames.  Kyle is the younger bother of Red Deer Rebels defenceman and Minnesota Wild prospect Matt.  Kyle had a 2.89GAA and a .904 save percentage with the Flames this season.

**The Hitmen traded protected list goalie Dawson MacAuley ('94) to the Regina Pats for the 68th overall pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft**

ROUND 5
(106TH OVERALL)  Defenceman Taner Miller from Lethbridge Val Matteoti Golden Hawks.  Miller appeared in 30 games this season collecting 33 points (5g 28a).  He was also the captain of the Hawks.

(107TH OVERALL)  Right winger Chris Woods from Prince Albert Venice House Raiders.  Woods has huge size for a 14-year-old at 6'3" 194lbs.  He had 12 points (8g 4a) in 27 games this season. 

ROUND 6
(128TH OVERALL) Defenceman Dalton Gally from Alaska Jr. Aces.  Gally, at 6'1" 183lbs, had six points (3g 3a) in 36 games.

ROUND 7
(150TH OVERALL) Defenceman Quaid McBean from Phoenix Jr. Coyotes.  Quaid's dad Wayne played 211 games in the NHL with NYI, Winnipeg and LA.

ROUND 8
(172ND OVERALL) Right winger Nathan Halvorsen from the Winnipeg Warriors.  Halvorsen at 6'0" 167lbs, played in the Winnipeg AAA Bantam 1 All-Star Game on January 12th.

ROUND 9
(194TH OVERALL) Left defenceman Riley Shamray from Yellowhead Chiefs.  He's 5'11" 162lbs.

ROUND 10
(216TH OVERALL) Left winer Brandon Lesko from the AA Battleford Barons.  At 5'9" 160 lbs, he had 49 points (26g 23a) in 26 games.

Sylvester named WHL Humanitarian of the Year

From the Hitmen Office:

Calgary, AB - The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club would like to congratulate captain Cody Sylvester on being named the 2012-13 WHL Humanitarian of the Year.  Sylvester, who just completed his final year in the Western Hockey League and fifth season with the Hitmen, accepted the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy today at the WHL Awards Luncheon in Calgary. 
This season Sylvester, who received the ENMAX Humanitarian Award at the 2012-13 Calgary Hitmen Awards Banquet in March, raised $17,312 for his Chance To Play program, a fundraising initiative created by the 21-year-old to support local minor hockey.  The funds collected will benefit kids who would not normally have the chance to play hockey by providing them with an opportunity to participate in sport.

“It is an honour to receive this award,” said Sylvester.  “I’ve had the opportunity to play hockey all my life and wanted to do something in my final year to give back to the Calgary community and the people who have supported me during my time with the Hitmen.  Chance To Play will provide kids, who may not otherwise have the opportunity, with the experience of playing hockey so they can have the chance to follow their dreams like I did.”

                                          Photo Credit: Brad Watson - Calgary Hitmen

The cornerstone of his program was the Chance To Play t-shirt, an item Sylvester designed and custom printed with Kaos Design, owned by Sylvester’s mom Kim Sylvester and stepfather Wayne Muzyka.  These one-of-a-kind t-shirts were sold during Hitmen home games, various events at the Scotiabank Saddledome and player meet and greets, all coordinated by the captain, to raise funds.  Sylvester also enhanced media relationships and developed corporate partnerships to increase program awareness and dollars raised.

“As the captain of the Calgary Hitmen, Cody led by example on the ice as well as extended his leadership into the dressing room and the Calgary community,” commented Hitmen Assistant General Manager and Direction of Business Operations Mike Moore.  “The initiative he demonstrated in the development, implementation and execution of the Chance To Play program is a reflection of his character and determination.”

In 1999-00, Hitmen alumnus Chris Nielsen was named the WHL Humanitarian of the Year for his contributions on and off the ice.

Hitmen eliminated in Game 7 of WHL Eastern Conference Final

The Calgary Hitmen march toward the Ed Chynoweth Cup as Western Hockey League Champions came to an end Tuesday night at Rexall Place with a 2-0 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final.

The defending champs now move on to face Portland in the league final starting Friday night in Oregon.

The Hitmen started well out shooting Edmonton 7-2 in the first part of the opening period but couldn't find the back of the net.

The Oil Kings then responded with a major push to head to the dressing room ahead 1-0 on the scoreboard and 18-8 on the shot clock.  First periods proved to be the achilles heal for Calgary in the series as they were outscored by a combined 13-2.

In the second period Michael St. Croix potted his second goal of the game to give Edmonton a 2-0 lead. 

In the final frame Calgary fired nine shots but Laurent Brossoit stopped them all en route to a 26 save shutout.

St. Croix was named the series M-V-P for Edmonton finishing with 10 points in the seven games (4g 6a).

The total series numbers reflect on why Edmonton prevailed outscoring Calgary by a combined 25-16 while out shooting the Hitmen in every game for a combined 275-187 advantage.

                                                      Photo Credit: Andy Devlin

Calgary Hitmen 0 at Edmonton Oil Kings 2
Tuesday, April 30, 2013 - Rexall Place - Edmonton, AB

Calgary 0 0 0 - 0
Edmonton 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period
1, Edmonton, St. Croix 9 (Legault, Corbett), 14:05.
Penalties-Samuelsson Edm (slashing), 3:42; Virtanen Cal (roughing), 15:16.

2nd Period
2, Edmonton, St. Croix 10 (Kulda, Corbett), 4:33.
Penalties-Virtanen Cal (tripping), 0:04; Humphries Cal (hooking), 10:22; Samuelsson Edm (slashing), 14:05; Clayton Cal (roughing), 17:36; Moroz Edm (checking to the head), 17:36; Samuelsson Edm (roughing), 17:36.

3rd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Kosterman Cal (closing hand on puck), 12:51; Samuelsson Edm (tripping), 17:54.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 8-9-9-26. Edmonton 18-12-8-38.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 4; Edmonton 0 / 4.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 11-4-2-0 (38 shots-36 saves). Edmonton, Brossoit 12-1-3-0 (26 shots-26 saves).
A-10,738
Referees-Reagan Vetter (39), Nathan Wieler (18).
Linesmen-Michael Roberts (87), Scott Sharun (103).

Dramatic Hitmen comeback forces Game 7

The Calgary Hitmen erased a 3-1 third period deficit to beat the Edmonton Oil Kings 4-3 in overtime Sunday evening forcing a Game 7 in the WHL's Eastern Conference Final.

Brooks Macek scored the tying goal at 7:56 into the third period before netting the game winner at 6:59 of overtime. 

Macek was asked after the game if the sudden death winner was the biggest of of his life.

"Well yeah you know I'd like to say that saved my career from ending tonight," smiled the 20-year-old from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Brady Brassart started the Hitmen comeback scoring just seven seconds into the third period while Spencer Humphries also hit the score sheet for Calgary.

Ashton Sautner, Curtis Lazar and Stephane Legault replied for Edmonton who out shot Calgary 39-36.

Chris Driedger was unreal in the Calgary net making several dazzling saves including breakaway stops on Michael St. Croix and David Musil.

Game 7 is set for Tuesday night at Rexall Place in the provincial capital.

                                       Photo Credit: Brad Watson - Calgary Hitmen

Edmonton Oil Kings 3 at Calgary Hitmen 4 (OT)
Sunday, April 28, 2013 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Edmonton 2 1 0 0 - 3
Calgary 0 1 2 1 - 4

1st Period
1, Edmonton, Sautner 3 (Kulda, St. Croix), 13:27.
2, Edmonton, Lazar 8 (Legault, Lowe), 17:04.
Penalties-Roach Cal (holding), 10:11; Moroz Edm (roughing), 20:00; Chase Cal (roughing), 20:00.

2nd Period
3, Calgary, Humphries 2 4:47.
4, Edmonton, Legault 6 (Ewanyk, Wruck), 15:47.
Penalties-Musil Edm (roughing), 3:59; Chase Cal (roughing), 3:59; Kulda Edm (cross checking), 7:22; Chase Cal (interference), 17:58; Lazar Edm (hooking), 18:10; Samuelsson Edm (slashing), 18:25.

3rd Period
5, Calgary, Brassart 9 (Sylvester), 0:07 (PP).
6, Calgary, Macek 5 (Sylvester, Humphries), 7:56 (PP).
Penalties-Peterson Cal (high sticking), 1:46; Ewanyk Edm (elbowing), 7:23; Brooks Cal (tripping), 8:53; Peterson Cal (boarding), 14:48.

OT Period
7, Calgary, Macek 6 (Chase, Rask), 6:59.
Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Edmonton 10-14-9-6-39. Calgary 7-13-9-7-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Edmonton 0 / 5; Calgary 2 / 4.
Goalies-Edmonton, Brossoit 11-1-3-0 (36 shots-32 saves). Calgary, Driedger 11-3-2-0 (39 shots-36 saves).
A-8,687
Referees-Brett Montsion (54), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Michael Roberts (87), Chris Carlson (92).

Game 6 Preview: Oil Kings at Hitmen

The Calgary Hitmen face elimination today for the first time in the 2013 WHL Playoffs as they host the Edmonton Oil Kings at 4 o'clock this afternoon in Scotiabank Saddledome.  Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan begins at 3pm with a 60 minute pre-game show.

The Oil Kings lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Final 3-2 and can book their second ticket to the WHL Championship Series in as many years with a victory today.  The Hitmen are hoping to push the series back to the provincial capital for Game 7 on Tuesday night.

Here are some numbers to ponder heading into Game 6:

-The Hitmen are 7-1 on home ice during the 2013 post season, including a 1-1 mark against Edmonton.

-Edmonton has so far out scored the Hitmen 22-12 in the series while out shooting Calgary by a combined 198-125.

-Through five games both teams have combined for 61 powerplays.  Calgary is 5-25 (20%) with the extra attacker while Edmonton is 8-36 (22.2%).

-Martin Gernat (4g 3a) and Michael St. Croix (2g 5a) lead all Oil Kings with seven points in the series while Brooks Macek (2g 2a) tops the Hitmen with four.

- The Oil Kings have owned the first period in the series outscoring Calgary by a combined 10-2 in the opening 20 minutes.

                                        Photo Credit: Brad Watson - Calgary Hitmen

   

Oil Kings take first series lead with Game 5 win

The Edmonton Oil Kings scored twice 44 seconds apart late in the first period to turn a 1-0 lead into a 3-0 advantage and never looked back en route to a 5-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen Friday night at Rexall Place.

The victory gives Edmonton a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Final.

Five different Oil Kings scored goal while Stephane Legault and Dylan Wruck chipped in a pair of assists.

Brooks Macek had the lone marker for Calgary who was out shot 40-29.

The series resumes Sunday in Calgary with a 4 o'clock start at Scotiabank Saddledome.

                                                            Photo Credit: John Ulan

Calgary Hitmen 1 at Edmonton Oil Kings 5
Friday, April 26, 2013 - Rexall Place - Edmonton, AB

Calgary 0 0 1 - 1
Edmonton 3 0 2 - 5

1st Period
1, Edmonton, Gernat 6 (Wruck, Cheek), 7:38.
2, Edmonton, Samuelsson 9 (Legault), 18:13.
3, Edmonton, Ewanyk 5 (Sautner, Wruck), 18:57. Penalties-Brassart Cal (cross checking), 13:37; Chase Cal (slashing), 20:00.

2nd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Zgraggen Cal (tripping), 4:46; Thrower Cal (major-fighting), 13:18; Samuelsson Edm (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 13:18; Brassart Cal (slashing), 14:40.

3rd Period
4, Edmonton, St. Croix 8 (Kulda), 13:27.
5, Calgary, Macek 4 (Rask, Humphries), 15:04 (PP).
6, Edmonton, Lazar 7 (Legault), 15:43 (EN).
Penalties-Moroz Edm (cross checking), 7:02; Rissling Cal (roughing), 13:46; Samuelsson Edm (slashing), 13:46; Musil Edm (hooking), 14:34; Mayor Cal (slashing), 16:52; Peterson Cal (slashing), 18:06; Thrower Cal (cross checking), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 10-4-15-29. Edmonton 17-14-9-40.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 1 / 3; Edmonton 0 / 6.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 10-3-2-0 (39 shots-35 saves). Edmonton, Brossoit 11-1-2-0 (29 shots-28 saves).
A-11,088
Referees-Sean Raphael (28), Nathan Wieler (18).
Linesmen-Cody Huseby (88), Cory Lundquist (128).

Oil Kings turn Eastern Conference Final into a best of three

The defending WHL Champion Edmonton Oil Kings scored four goals exactly nine minutes apart early in Game 4 and never looked back in a 7-3 win over the Calgary Hitmen Wednesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Eastern Conference Final is now tied 2-2 heading to Edmonton for Game 5 on Friday.

Michael St. Croix led the Oil Kings attack with four points (1g 3a) while TJ Foster had a pair of goals and an assist.

                                          Photo Credit: Brad Watson - Calgary Hitmen

Edmonton Oil Kings 7 at Calgary Hitmen 3
Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Edmonton 5 1 1 - 7
Calgary 1 2 0 - 3

1st Period
1, Edmonton, Foster 2 (St. Croix), 1:15.
2, Edmonton, Foster 3 (Gernat, St. Croix), 2:10 (PP).
3, Edmonton, Gernat 5 (Legault, Samuelsson), 5:33.
4, Edmonton, Sautner 2 (Cheek, St. Croix), 10:15.
5, Calgary, Brooks 3 (Chase, Rissling), 12:16 (PP).
6, Edmonton, Ewanyk 4 (Moroz, Mayo), 18:09. Penalties-Humphries Cal (slashing), 1:55; Harmsworth Cal (interference), 1:58; Roach Cal (holding), 6:33; Lazar Edm (interference), 10:35; Lowe Edm (cross checking), 12:16; Samuelsson Edm (roughing), 12:16.

2nd Period
7, Calgary, Macek 3 7:56 (Penalty shot).
8, Edmonton, Wruck 1 (Musil), 10:53.
9, Calgary, Peterson 5 (Padakin, Rissling), 13:45.
Penalties-Mayo Edm (interference), 1:17; Gernat Edm (cross checking), 11:26; Jones Cal (tripping), 18:09.

3rd Period
10, Edmonton, St. Croix 7 (Foster), 1:30.
Penalties-Zgraggen Cal (hooking), 6:30; Shmoorkoff Edm (hooking), 9:25; Lazar Edm (tripping), 15:20; Musil Edm (tripping), 16:13; Samuelsson Edm (10-minute misconduct), 16:13; Mayor Cal (charging), 17:42.

Shots on Goal-Edmonton 18-12-9-39. Calgary 11-10-4-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Edmonton 1 / 6; Calgary 1 / 7.
Goalies-Edmonton, Brossoit 10-1-2-0 (25 shots-22 saves). Calgary, Driedger 10-2-2-0 (17 shots-12 saves); Shields 0-0-0-0 (22 shots-20 saves).
A-8,386
Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Brett Montsion (54).
Linesmen-Gary Roberts, Scott Sharun (103).

Calgary takes series lead with Game 3 win

The Calgary Hitmen did all their damage in the second period scoring five times en-route to a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings Tuesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The victory gives the Hitmen a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Final.

Twelve different Hitmen had points with the goals coming from five different players; Greg Chase, Brady Brassart, Elliott Peterson, Calder Brooks and Victor Rask.

The scoring explosion in the middle frame chased Oil Kings starting goaltender Laurent Brossoit.

Trevor Cheek in the first period and Cutis Lazar in the third scored for Edmonton.

                                       Photo Credit: Brad Watson - Calgary Hitmen

Edmonton Oil Kings 2 at Calgary Hitmen 5
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Edmonton 1 0 1 - 2
Calgary 0 5 0 - 5

1st Period
1, Edmonton, Cheek 8 (Foster, Reinhart), 6:29 (PP).
Penalties-Lowe Edm (slashing), 0:36; Brooks Cal (slashing), 4:54; Moroz Edm (slashing), 7:06; Brooks Cal (high sticking), 12:12.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Chase 3 (Sylvester, Brassart), 0:24.
3, Calgary, Brassart 8 (Roach, Macek), 8:11 (PP).
4, Calgary, Peterson 4 (Brooks, Padakin), 8:51.
5, Calgary, Brooks 2 (Jones, Humphries), 12:46 (PP).
6, Calgary, Rask 6 (Zgraggen, Kosterman), 13:15.
Penalties-St. Croix Edm (tripping), 4:16; Lowe Edm (roughing), 6:12; Musil Edm (roughing), 6:12; Sylvester Cal (roughing), 6:12; Ewanyk Edm (roughing), 11:18; Brooks Cal (high sticking), 13:24; Foster Edm (slashing), 19:51.

3rd Period
7, Edmonton, Lazar 6 (Samuelsson), 7:28 (PP).
Penalties-Lazar Edm (high sticking), 4:23; Brooks Cal (hooking), 6:44; Ewanyk Edm (cross checking), 15:55; Rask Cal (slashing), 16:13.

Shots on Goal-Edmonton 6-15-13-34. Calgary 13-14-2-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Edmonton 2 / 5; Calgary 2 / 8.
Goalies-Edmonton, Brossoit 10-1-2-0 (26 shots-21 saves); Jarry 0-0-0-0 (3 shots-3 saves). Calgary, Driedger 10-2-2-0 (34 shots-32 saves).
A-8,416
Referees-Matt Kirk (4), Devin Klein (9).
Linesmen-Chris Carlson (92), Cody Huseby (88).

Hitmen forward Jake Virtanen suspended

Calgary Hitmen forward Jake Virtanen has been suspended by the Western Hockey League following a five minute major for kneeing in Game 2 against the Oil Kings.

Virtanen was ejected from Friday night contest following a collision with Oil Kings defenceman Cody Corbett just inside the Hitmen blue line.

The length of Virtanen's suspension has yet to be determined, but he will not be in the line-up Tuesday night when the series resumes in Calgary with Game 3 at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Oil Kings powerplay helps even series with Hitmen

The Edmonton Oil Kings spent the better part of Game 2 on the powerplay and despite an 0-9 start with the extra attacker, the defending WHL Champions scored four times with the man advantage in a 6-0 win at Rexall Place Friday night.

The best-of-seven Eastern Conference Final is now even at a win a piece.

Martin Gernat scored twice for Edmonton who took a 1-0 lead to the third period while Henrik Samuelsson, Ashton Sauntner, Curtis Lazar and Trevor Cheek added singles.

The Hitmen spent far too much time in the penalty box, shorthanded 14 times, while going 0-4 on the powerplay themselves.

"Obviously our team was undisciplined tonight," said Hitmen defenceman Spencer Humphries in the post game media scrum.  "They've got a good powerplay so we can't be doing that.

In the end all the Edmonton extra attacker time was reflective on the shot clock with the Oil Kings out shooting the Hitmen 50-23.

                                                          Photo Credit: Andy Devlin

Calgary Hitmen 0 at Edmonton Oil Kings 6
Friday, April 19, 2013 - Rexall Place - Edmonton, AB

Calgary 0 0 0 - 0
Edmonton 1 0 5 - 6

1st Period
1, Edmonton, Samuelsson 8 (Gernat, Lazar), 6:13.
Penalties-Kosterman Cal (holding), 2:39; Roach Cal (roughing), 6:28; Reinhart Edm (roughing), 6:28; Brooks Cal (tripping), 10:12; Brassart Cal (slashing), 11:44; Legault Edm (roughing), 13:55; Sylvester Cal (roughing), 14:39; Corbett Edm (slashing), 14:39; Reinhart Edm (roughing), 14:39; Zgraggen Cal (elbowing), 17:31; Zgraggen Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:34; Lazar Edm (interference), 19:34; Samuelsson Edm (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:34; Rask Cal (slashing), 20:00.

2nd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Macek Cal (slashing), 0:22; Brooks Cal (tripping), 2:12; Virtanen Cal (major-kneeing, game misconduct), 5:43; Macek Cal (slashing), 13:16; Reinhart Edm (high sticking), 20:00.

3rd Period
2, Edmonton, Gernat 3 (Wruck, Samuelsson), 8:55 (PP).
3, Edmonton, Gernat 4 (Foster, St. Croix), 14:32 (PP).
4, Edmonton, Lazar 5 (Lowe, Reinhart), 14:58 (PP).
5, Edmonton, Sautner 1 (Kulda, Gernat), 18:36 (PP).
6, Edmonton, Cheek 7 (Kulda), 19:50.
Penalties-Rask Cal (holding), 4:11; Samuelsson Edm (embellishment), 4:11; Humphries Cal (slashing), 8:14; Humphries Cal (roughing, roughing), 12:54; Moroz Edm (roughing), 12:54; Clayton Cal (slashing, 10-minute misconduct), 13:25; Zgraggen Cal (slashing, roughing), 14:10; Rissling Cal (slashing, roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 14:32; Kosterman Cal (10-minute misconduct), 17:02; Padakin Cal (checking from behind), 17:02; Ewanyk Edm (checking to the head), 17:02; Moroz Edm (slashing, roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 17:02; Humphries Cal (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 17:49; Lowe Edm (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 17:49; Peterson Cal (high sticking), 18:55.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 9-7-7-23. Edmonton 9-17-24-50.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 4; Edmonton 4 / 14.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 9-1-2-0 (44 shots-40 saves); Shields 0-0-0-0 (6 shots-4 saves). Edmonton, Brossoit 9-0-2-0 (23 shots-23 saves).
A-9,447
Referees-Jeff Ingram (82), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Cory Lundquist (128), Scott Sharun (103).