Happy New Year! I trust everyone had a terrific and safe holiday. The Hitmen enjoyed a 10 day break but that didn't mean you couldn't find a hockey game around town. There was a few Flames games and the 29th Annual Macs International Midget Hockey Tournament started on Boxing Day. There was some great hockey and an opportunity to see several up and comers that have been drafted by the Calgary Hitmen. The future looks pretty bright.
GOLD BABY!
A big shout out to Freddie Pettersson & Karl Alzner who participated in the World Junior Hockey Tournament in Sweden which ran from Boxing Day to January 5th. Freddie played for Team Sweden for the second consecutive year. He had a strong tourney but unfortunately the Swedes came up a bit short falling to those pesky Americans in the Bronze Medal Game.
Congrats to Karl who did us proud donning the Red & White helping Team Canada win GOLD for the 3rd consecutive year! It should also be mentioned that this is the first time since 1997 that Team Canada has won GOLD on the big ice surface in Europe. A job well done! With Karl's participation this year, he is the 10th Calgary Hitmen Player to play in the World Junior tourney which is quite remarkable since the Hitmen are only in their 12th season. Karl is one of 5 players from Team Canada who will be eligible to return to Team Canada next year. Way to go Karl!
HITMEN TO ATTEND PROSPECTS GAME
Karl Alzner will barely have had a chance to unpack his suitcase before he has to hop on another plane. He received news this week that he, along with forward Brett Sonne and defenceman Alex Plante, have been invited to play in the CHL/NHL Prospects Game taking place January 17th in Quebec City. The boys have an opportunity to play in front of tons of NHL scouts so I'm sure they'll all put on a good show! Good luck guys.
HITMEN TRADES!
The WHL trade deadline was January 10, 2007 and Kelly Kisio made a few minor deals. The Hitmen said goodbye to Curtis Kelner who was traded to the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for 19 year old defenceman Dan Mercer. The move will hopefully result in a lot more ice time for Curtis.
The Hitmen also traded away Michael Hengen to the Moose Jaw Warriors for a 5th round pick in this year's bantam draft. Mike should able to offer some real leadership to the younger Warriors. Good Luck with your new teams Curtis & Mike, we wish you nothing but the best!
The Calgary Hitmen also picked up a 19 year old defenceman Ryan Gillen from the Tri-City Americans. Ryan is a 6'7" 230 pounder with a +14 plus/minus so we should be a little stronger in our own end. Dan Mercer is no slouch at 6'3" and 200 pounds so we definitely added some size to our defence !
Welcome to the team Dan & Ryan, I hope you two BIG guys will put the HIT! back into the Hitmen game!
BIRTHDAY BOYS!
Six Hitmen players celebrate birthdays this month.
Happy Birthday Boys!
KEEGAN DANSEREAU Jan 1st 19 years MARTIN JONES Jan 10th 17 years
DEVON "KILLER" KALINSKI Jan 1st 17 years DAN SPENCE Jan 17th 19 years
BRENDON ROWINSKI Jan 9th 17 years STEVE COVINGTON Jan 31st 21 years
WIN A TRIP TO MEMORIAL CUP!
The Calgary Hitmen Booster Club is holding a draw for a trip for two to check out some Memorial Cup action in Vancouver this May. The winners receives 2 Memorial Cup packages along with airfare and accommodation for the final weekend of the Memorial Cup. For your chance to be in on the draw, be sure to stop by the Booster Club table on the concourse behind Section 212 at any home game. You can purchase tickets at every home game until the end of the season. The draw will take place after the final regular season home game.
WIN A HOCKEY COLLECTOR'S ITEM!
Some lucky fan will win an autographed JUSTIN POGGE goalie stick as tickets will be on sale later this month at the Booster Club table. Justin, a Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick, was a standout goalie with the Hitmen last year. He also helped win Gold at the World Junior Hockey Tourney last year and brought home a Silver for Team Canada at this year's Spengler Cup!
The Booster Club also received an autographed hockey stick from Hockey Night In Canada courtesy of Kelly Hrudey who was the guest speaker at the Hitmen Booster Club Dinner held in October. The stick is autographed by DON CHERRY, RON MACLEAN, SCOTT OAKES, KELLY HRUDEY, DON WITTMAN, DREW REMENDA, BOB COLE, HARRY NEALE and more! Tickets for this draw will be for sale in February.
The Booster Club takes the proceeds from all these various draws and puts it back into a fund to spend on the players throughout the year for things like the annual dinner, a bowling night, movie passes, tote bags and blankets for the players' road trips, etc. Your support with these draws is MUCH appreciated!
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
After a long home stand, the Calgary Hitmen take to the road again and the Junior Hockey Junkies will be along for the ride with an overnight trip to Cranbrook this Saturday January 14th and a 3-day road trip thru Saskatchewan from January 19th to January 21st with stops in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Swift Current. If you'd like to join them, stop by the Junkies table behind Section 213 and sign up or call them at 510-8632. I can assure you it's always a great time and the players DEFINITELY enjoy the support when they're playing in the different hockey barns.
We'll see you on the road!