HITMEN MOB  SCENE !

by Rick Springer

 

With Christmas just around the corner, December is a busy month and not just for shoppers.  It's a crazy time for hockey players as well. On December 3rd, the Booster Club helped out with the annual Dodge Skate with the Hitmen.  The entire team made themselves available to skate with their fans and sign autographs.  The Hitmen players were surprised with Christmas Stockings presented by Booster Club members after the autographs were done.  The stockings were embroided with some not-so-flattering nicknames, provided courtesy of their team captains, so there was some laughs...and some red faces! Players received Christmas treats, some healthy food to keep the trainer happy, movie passes, gas coupons as well as gift certificates donated by Calgary Hitmen Super-sponsor Eastside Marios!

 

 

 

On December 4th, the second segment of the Eastside Marios Favorite Player Dinner was held at the Chinook Center location.  Those in attendance included lucky fans Tabias & Corbin Croteau, Fan Favorite winning players of the month Ryan White, Brodie Dupont and Freddie Pettersson along with the Calgary Hitmen Booster Club Past President Dennis McDonald and his son Jamie.  Also in attendance were Calgary Hitmen Director of Operations, Kip Reghenas and the Voice of the Hitmen, Brad Curle.

 

The Croteau boys enjoyed hanging out with their hockey heroes but I think Freddie enjoyed the night more than anybody as he got to savour one last taste of Alberta beef before flying out to Sweden on December 9th, with buddy Robin Figren, to take part in the World Junior selection camp for Team Sweden.  Good luck Freddie & Figgy, I'm confident you'll represent and I look forward to seeing you make the finals...against Team Canada of course!

 

 

 

December 4th was also a HUGE day for Hitmen defenceman Karl Alzner.  He received that early morning call that every Canadian hockey player dreams of.  Karl was invited to the Team Canada World Junior selection camp.  Good luck Karl, we're going to miss you on our blue line at the Dome for the rest of the month but we hope to be cheering you on in Sweden over the holidays!

 

The newest member of the Calgary Hitmen, defensemen Eric Frere,  came  to Calgary December 6th courtesy of a trade with the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for a 2007 5th round draft pick.  Eric is an Alberta boy out of Trochu and I'm sure he's happier to be a little closer to home.  Welcome aboard Eric!

 

 

 

On December 10th, the 12th annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss game took place at the Dome with the Hitmen hosting the Prince George Cougars.  With the 4th largest crowd ever, taking in a Hitmen game, Ryan White scored the first goal  with just over 5 minutes remaining in the first period.  Thus began the onslaught of teddy bear downpour!  The Calgary Hitmen broke the record held by the Portland Winterhawks... for all of 2 weeks!  A CHL record 15,540 stuffed toys were collected...That's a lot of fur that was flyin' in the Dome Sunday afternoon!  As a surprise, Ryan White even came up to the Booster Club table level after the game to sign autographs for fans even though he wasn't scheduled.  A classy move from a first class guy!

 

 

 

On December 11th, a casual get together was held with fans and Hitmen players at the Eastside Marios Sunridge location to celebrate the upcoming Christmas season.  A big thanks goes out to Kip Reghenas for organizing the event.  Although 2 games still remained before Christmas, it was a great opportunity for fans to mix with players & billets before the boys head to their respective families to enjoy a much deserved 10 day Christmas break.  The boys head home on December 16th and return to Calgary with their first team skate scheduled for December 26th to work off some the Christmas goodies consumed over the holidays.

 

As president of the Calgary Hitmen Booster Club, I am pleased to announce that our Executive has grown as Lorlei Schram is our new 1st Vice President and Lori Lailey is our new 2nd Vice President.  I, along with our Treasurer Jackie Schram ,Secretary Veronica Dean and our membership, look forward to working with you in the upcoming months.  New people  means new ideas so let the good times begin.  

 

We have some exciting fundraisers coming up in the 2007 for all you sports fanatics so please watch for more news in the next edition of HITMEN MOB SCENE ! in January!  Until then, on behalf of the Calgary Hitmen Booster Club, I'd like to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday and a safe New Year!