We're Gonna Be Just Fine!
With the loss of Karl Alzner & Ryan White, there
were lots of questions going into this season as to
how the Hitmen were going to perform. As it turns
out, the players have stepped up to the challenge of
filling in some huge holes and the Calgary Hitmen
are off to a great start this year currently holding
top spot in the WHL standings with 20 wins in their
first 25 games earning them a top 10 CHL ranking!
The boys have just come back from a 4 game road
swing with 8 points so the team is continuing to
role on. Congrats to Brett Sonne & Brandon Kozun
who have been invited to participate in the Russia
Challenge taking place November 26th and 27th.
Dinner With The Hitmen
The Calgary Hitmen Booster Club held their annual
"Dinner with the Hitmen" on October 7th featuring
guest speaker Kevin Smith from Global Sports who
gave the Booster Club members and Hitmen players
some insight from the broadcasting side of things as
well as some tips for the players that will improve
media interviews. This year we presented Michael
Stone and Ian Schultz with plaques honoring them
going in the 3rd round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Stoner was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes and even
had the honor of suiting up for the Coyotes on
Saddledome ice to battle the Flames during
the NHL Pre-season. It was probably strange for
Stoner to be playing on the opposing team in Calgary
but he was coached by the Great One Wayne Gretzky so
I'm sure he didn't mind too much! Schultzie was
recognized for being drafted by the St. Louis Blues
so hopefully he'll join current teammate Brett Sonne
(also drafted by the Blues) in the pros one
day! For the first time, the Booster Club was also
able to recognize a Hitmen player who signed an NHL
contract without being drafted. Martin
Jones was invited to the LA Kings pre-season camp as
a walk on and ended up walking out of LA with a
contract! Well done Jonesy!
Team Canada Autographed Jersey Draw Winners
The Booster Club held a draw for Team Canada
jerseys autographed by World Junior Gold Medalists,
and Hitmen alumni, Karl Alzner and Ryan Getzlaf.
Congrats to Taylor Waters who won the Alzner jersey
and Nick Godfrey who won the Getzlaf jersey. the
winners of the autographed jersey winners. This
month tickets are available for an Teddy Bear Toss
jersey autographed by the 2007-08 Hitmen Team.
Add Some Color to Your Christmas Tree!
The Hitmen players recently sat down for an
afternoon of crafts to design Christmas ornaments
which fans have an opportunity to win. Fans can
purchase tickets for a chance to win the ornaments
at all home games up until December 14th when the
draws will be done.
Christmas Times a Comin!
That means it's time to get those tickets for the
annual Christmas Hamper draws. The hampers are
stuffed with goodies including Hitmen tickets,
Flames tickets, an autographed Getzlaf bobblehead,
wine, chocolates...the list goes on. Tickets are
available up until December 14, 2008 at the Booster
Club tables. If you're a Booster Club member, you
can also pick up a book of tickets to sell to your
family or co-workers who don't get a chance to
attend Hitmen games.
Good Luck Spencey!
We said goodbye to Hitmen Goalie Dan Spence this
month who was released by the Hitmen earlier this
month as a result of numbers affecting the 20 year
olds on the roster. Before Dan was released, he was
able to surpass Brent Krahn with all-time wins as a
goaltender in Calgary Hitmen history. The Booster
Club was able to recognize Dan for this great
achievement at our dinner held in October. We'd
like to thank Dan again for all his hard work on the
ice and in the community. Dan has since
joined the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. Best of
luck Dan!
Movie Reviews
When the players are not playing hockey they
actually get some free time. Last year Brett Sonne
& Alex Plante found some time throughout the season
to catch some flicks and then humoured us with their
movie reviews. This year, Brett is back but with a
new partner...Martin Jones! Stay tuned for monthly
reviews Sonnz & Jonesy beginning this week!
