Hitmen1
09-15-2008, 08:47 PM
Calgary Hitmen
2008 pre-season: 1-2-0
General Manager: Kelly Kisio
Head Coach: Dave Lowry
2007-08 Record: 47-20-1-4, 99 pts (1st in Central Div., 1st in Conf.) GF: 259 GA: 166
2008 Playoffs: Lost in four games to Lethbridge in Eastern Conference final.
2007-08 Top Scorers:
Kyle Bortis 72gp-37g-35a-72pts
Ryan White 68gp-28g-44a-72pts
Brock Nixon 69gp-31g-40a-71pts
Up Front: The Hitmen will return up to 10 forwards from last year’s offensively dominating squad. However, the loss of veterans Ryan White, Brock Nixon and T.J. Galiardi leaves big offensive holes for the Hitmen to fill. Fortunately, the team returns 37-goal man Kyle Bortis, crafty sophomore Brandon Kozun and speedy veteran Ian Duval, who all have proven track records of producing offense in the WHL. St. Louis Blues prospect Brett Sonne is expected to step into a much bigger offensive role after spending much of last season on the injured list. Sophomores Bostjan Golicic and Chase Schaber will both look to step up their production this year, while fellow second-year player Ian Schultz can also produce offense while also adding an imposing physical presence. Rookie Tyler Fiddler appeared in a couple of games last season, and has the ability to make an immediate impact on the score sheet.
On The Blue Line: The loss of veteran standout Karl Alzner will leave a big hole on the Hitmen blue line, as will the graduation of Dan Mercer and the departure of Alex Plante. However, the Hitmen still return offensive rearguards Paul Postma and Michael Stone, along with 20-year-old Keith Seabrook, leaving the team with three NHL-drafted defensemen at their disposal. Postma could find himself among the WHL’s top-scoring defensemen this season. Sophomore Matt McKenzie was solid as a 16-year-old rookie last season, and will need to shoulder more of the workload this season. Highly-regarded rookie Austin Madaisky will also get the opportunity to contribute as a 16-year-old.
Goaltending: 20-year-old Dan Spence has carried the bulk of the Hitmen’s goaltending duties over the last two season, and posted some very impressive numbers last season. Martin Jones, Spence’s back-up for the last two seasons, will definitely make his pitch for the starting role this season, considering Spence is an overage player. 17-year-old Michael Snider will also push for the back-up role.
Player to Watch: Brandon Kozun
Kozun may not be the biggest player on the ice – in fact, he’s quite often the smallest – but he possesses big-league skills. The 5’8”, 146-lb winger boasts exceptional puck skills, creativity and vision, and is capable of creating scoring chances nearly every time he hits the ice. Kozun will be a key cog in the Hitmen’s offense this season, and is sure to be one of the team’s most exciting players to watch.
Season Preview from whl.ca (http://www.whl.ca/news/?id=9988)
2008 pre-season: 1-2-0
General Manager: Kelly Kisio
Head Coach: Dave Lowry
2007-08 Record: 47-20-1-4, 99 pts (1st in Central Div., 1st in Conf.) GF: 259 GA: 166
2008 Playoffs: Lost in four games to Lethbridge in Eastern Conference final.
2007-08 Top Scorers:
Kyle Bortis 72gp-37g-35a-72pts
Ryan White 68gp-28g-44a-72pts
Brock Nixon 69gp-31g-40a-71pts
Up Front: The Hitmen will return up to 10 forwards from last year’s offensively dominating squad. However, the loss of veterans Ryan White, Brock Nixon and T.J. Galiardi leaves big offensive holes for the Hitmen to fill. Fortunately, the team returns 37-goal man Kyle Bortis, crafty sophomore Brandon Kozun and speedy veteran Ian Duval, who all have proven track records of producing offense in the WHL. St. Louis Blues prospect Brett Sonne is expected to step into a much bigger offensive role after spending much of last season on the injured list. Sophomores Bostjan Golicic and Chase Schaber will both look to step up their production this year, while fellow second-year player Ian Schultz can also produce offense while also adding an imposing physical presence. Rookie Tyler Fiddler appeared in a couple of games last season, and has the ability to make an immediate impact on the score sheet.
On The Blue Line: The loss of veteran standout Karl Alzner will leave a big hole on the Hitmen blue line, as will the graduation of Dan Mercer and the departure of Alex Plante. However, the Hitmen still return offensive rearguards Paul Postma and Michael Stone, along with 20-year-old Keith Seabrook, leaving the team with three NHL-drafted defensemen at their disposal. Postma could find himself among the WHL’s top-scoring defensemen this season. Sophomore Matt McKenzie was solid as a 16-year-old rookie last season, and will need to shoulder more of the workload this season. Highly-regarded rookie Austin Madaisky will also get the opportunity to contribute as a 16-year-old.
Goaltending: 20-year-old Dan Spence has carried the bulk of the Hitmen’s goaltending duties over the last two season, and posted some very impressive numbers last season. Martin Jones, Spence’s back-up for the last two seasons, will definitely make his pitch for the starting role this season, considering Spence is an overage player. 17-year-old Michael Snider will also push for the back-up role.
Player to Watch: Brandon Kozun
Kozun may not be the biggest player on the ice – in fact, he’s quite often the smallest – but he possesses big-league skills. The 5’8”, 146-lb winger boasts exceptional puck skills, creativity and vision, and is capable of creating scoring chances nearly every time he hits the ice. Kozun will be a key cog in the Hitmen’s offense this season, and is sure to be one of the team’s most exciting players to watch.
Season Preview from whl.ca (http://www.whl.ca/news/?id=9988)