Congratulations to the winners of the Hitmen Christmas Ornaments
 
 Lou Seibel, Jamie Mcdonald, Jennifer, Moe Cook, Nathan Ellard, Christine Meeking, Amanda Midgley, Lori Lailey, M Nelson, Carmia Neilson, Anna April, Ashley Proulx, Tanya Hogue, Deb, Kathy O'Grady, Fitri, Veronica Dean and Janet Postma
 
 
Congratulations to the Team Autographed Teddy Bear Toss Jersey Winner,  Carmia Neilson

 

Hitmen Participate In Some Crafty Work For A Good Cause

Alex Plante

 

Karl Alzner
 
After a recent practice, the Hitmen players participated in the 1st Annual Custom Christmas Ornament Extravaganza.  Each player sat down and made a custom designed  Christmas ornament which will be raffled off at an auction in December.  This was a chance for the boys to show some creativity off the ice and lucky Hitmen fans will have a chance to win one the these beautiful works of art.  A collector's item for sure!  Part of the proceeds from the draw will go to the Hitmen Headshave to fight cancer.  A little hesitant a first, the players eventually came up with some ideas and the glitter and glue began to fly.  Some boys even made extra ornaments...for their moms.  Rumour has it that Ryan Fox lead the way with the best design but you be the judge!

  Price:  1 for $1.00, 5 for $3.00, or 10 for $5.00

 

Annual Team Dinner A Huge Success

     

  Dave "Tiger" Wiliams             Dave "Tiger" Williams & Ryan White

 
The annual Dinner with the Hitmen was a huge success due in large part to this year's guest speaker Dave "Tiger" Williams.  While Tiger may have been retired before any of today's present Hitmen players were even born, Tiger had their full attention as he wielded his raw no-holds-barred philosophy on the game of hockey today and of days gone by.  Tiger had the crowd laughing with playful jabs on Hitmen players like defenseman Eric Frere, who had recently discovered his scoring touch, and with stories of his own glory days in the Dub and the NHL.
 
Tiger also passed on some important tips to the boys about making sure to read books while they're on the road, taking advantage of the great scholarship program offered by the WHL.  He reminded the boys to play with passion and discipline and to have respect for their opponents.  His greatest advice was to ask the boys to look their teammates in the eye and make the commitment not to let each other down.  He was also sure to remind the drafted players not to forget about their billets when they go to The Show.  The billets make huge sacrifices to take care of these players and are a large part of the player's personal development guiding them into adulthood. Another important piece of wisdom for the drafted players was to make sure that they make a real effort to manage their money well as many of today's pros continue to struggle because of poor choices.
 
Overall, it was a great evening and all the players and Booster Club members stuck around after the dinner to speak with Tiger one on one with the NHL Legend and get an autograph.

 
Comfort For The Road

   

Karl Alzner & Rick Springer
 
Hitmen team captain Karl Alzner was officially presented with a monogrammed pillow to make the bus rides a little more comfortable when the players are riding the Iron Lung.  All players received the pillows emblazoned with the Hitmen Booster Club logo as well as the players' individual jersey numbers.  All new members to this year's Hitmen team also received monogrammed blankets and tote bags that the rest of the team received last year.  The boys also got some movie passes to check out some flicks when they actually have some free time away from the rink.

 
Drafted Players Recognized

   

Paul Postma & Rick Springer      Carson McMillan & Rick Springer

This year's edition of the Calgary Hitmen has 6 players drafted in the NHL 2007 Entry Draft that took place this past June.  Two Hitmen, Karl Alzner and Alex Plante were drafted in the 1st round 5th overall by the Washington Capitals and 15th overall by the Edmonton Oilers respectively.  T.J Galiardi was drafted in the 2nd round by the Colorado Avalanche while Brett Sonne was drafted in the 3rd round by the St. Louis Blues.  Rounding out this year's draft picks was Carson McMillan drafted in the 7th Round by the Minnesota Wild and Hitmen newcomer Paul Postma also drafted in the 7th Round by Atlanta. 
 
Following Hitmen Booster Club tradition, all 6 players were presented with plaques recognizing their achievement in being drafted into the NHL.  Congrats boys!

 
Sweet Memories

 

Dan Spence & Jackie Schram       Devon Kalinski & Lorelei Schram

 
Every year the Booster Club collects articles & pictures to create a scrapbook for each player when they return the following season.  This year, all returning players received their scrapbooks at the Booster Club Dinner.  A huge thanks goes out to Jackie & Lorlei Schram and to Lori Lailey for all their hard work.

 
Long-time Booster Club Members Honored

 The Walters (Marian, Wendy, Rick Springer & George)

This season, the Calgary Hitmen Booster Club is celebrating our 10th anniversary supporting the Calgary Hitmen organization.  In October, Wendy, Marian & George Walters were recognized for all their time, efforts and 10 years of incredible volunteer service helping out the Booster Club in a variety of capacities on the Booster Club Executive, committees and at the tables at each game.  They always been willing to lend a hand whenever necessary with our "Phone Guy" George keeping members updated with calls and emails on the latest Hitmen happenings, Marian organizing the Christmas hamper draws each year and Wendy overseeing the Booster Club Memberships. The Walters family was presented with a plaque recognizing their service and will be receiving a copy of the Hitmen "Holiday Ice" print in support of the Lung Association and the CHL. 

 
Bostjan Golicic To Go To World Juniors

 Bostjan Golicic                         Bostjan Golicic & Anji Kopitar

Congratulations to Hitmen forward Bostjan Golicic who has been invited to represent his home country of Slovenia at the World Junior Championships in this years "B" Pool.  Bostjan has really turned it on the past couple weeks with some timely and pretty goals.  He was recently awarded the Hitmen "workboots" which are awarded to the hardest working player by fellow teammates after each win.  The colorful workboots were painted by Karl Alzner & Ryan White and Bostjan was happy to model them.  One of the advantages of playing in Calgary is that Hitmen players get to watch NHL players practice when they hit town to battle the Flames.  Fellow countryman, Anji Kopitar, from the LA Kings was recently in town and met up with Bostjan after a Flames game.
 
 
Happy Birthday

 
Belated birthday wishes from the Hitmen Booster Club go out to defenceman Eric Frere who turned 19 on November 15th.  You don't look a day over 17 Frerezy!