Calgary Hitmen have bright future after ending season on a high note

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The Calgary Hitmen ended their season on a excessive notice.

The crew completed the season with no playoff look however remained within the race till the very finish, sitting solely two factors behind the Prince Albert Raiders for the eighth and last playoff spot within the Western Hockey League’s Japanese Convention.

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In a marketing campaign that was thought-about extra of a developmental season, the younger crew confirmed that they may nonetheless compete for a playoff spot.

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The Hitmen confirmed nice resilience all year long, together with proper on the finish as they completed their season with a five-goal second interval to erase an early 2-0 deficit in path to defeating the Swift Present Broncos 6-3 at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday.

“At present we had been simply speaking about being actually happy with our season,” mentioned head coach Steve Hamilton.

The ultimate recreation had a few milestones connected to it as centre Oliver Tulk scored his fortieth purpose of the season, marking the primary time a Hitmen participant has achieved the milestone since Mark Kastelic completed the feat within the 2018-2019 season. Tulk additionally added his fortieth help to cap off his spectacular marketing campaign.

Defenceman Carter Yakemchek, who earlier within the season secured the report for essentially the most objectives by a defenceman in Hitmen historical past, added to his whole, scoring his thirtieth of the yr to steer all rearguards in objectives this season. Yakemchuk, who’s eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft, has a possibility to be a excessive choose.

Hamilton was impressed by his two stars this season.

“It was neat to see these guys get these milestones,” mentioned Hamilton, who believes the crew’s future was on full show this season. “Simply quite a lot of actually good contributions all year long from guys.”

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The Calgary-based crew is the youngest within the league, with a mean age of solely 17.8. The Hitmen showcased all through the season that they’ll dangle with among the prime groups within the WHL regardless of their youth.

With promising rookies all through the lineup, the Hitmen look poised to indicate enchancment subsequent season.

With first-year gamers Ben Kindel, Reese Hamilton, Chase Valiant and Keets Fawcett exhibiting nice potential this season, the crew has constructed a younger core that may carry them into the long run. The vast majority of the crew can also be anticipated to return subsequent season.

The Hitmen can be dropping one participant as Tyson Greenway performed his last WHL recreation.

“It’s a tricky day on the ice clearly with my final profession Western League recreation,” mentioned the graduating ahead. “It’s superior to finish my profession within the season with a win.”

Greenway was acquired by the Hitmen in an October commerce with the Tri-Metropolis People for a 2026 second-round choose. After absorbing his last moments with the Hitmen, Greenway hopes to proceed his hockey profession.

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“I type of received to determine some faculty choices and simply type of maintain my profession going,” mentioned Greenway.

Throughout his WHL profession, Greenway collected 99 factors in 259 video games. Hamilton praised the 21-year-old’s all-around recreation.

“I believe your legacy generally is greater than objectives and assists,” mentioned the coach. “I believe Tyson did an amazing job right here.”

Greenway applauded the crew’s expertise, saying regardless of the younger squad having doubters, they proved they may battle it out with one of the best groups within the league.

Hamilton mentioned Greenway is a good particular person and teammate for sticking it out with the youthful crew.

Regardless of the coach not looking forward to subsequent season simply but, he is aware of the long run is brilliant for the Calgary Hitmen.

Kisio will get Alberta Hockey Corridor of Fame name

Kelly Kisio is heading to the Alberta Hockey Corridor of Fame.

Kisio performed 761 video games within the NHL, scoring 229 objectives and 429 assists in his profession. The Crimson Deer native then turned the overall supervisor of the Hitmen in 1998. In his 18 years with the crew, he led the Hitmen to 17 playoff appearances and two WHL championships.

Kisio, who’s at the moment a scout with the Vegas Golden Knights, joins Jarome Iginla, Craig MacTavish, Dave King, Billy Dea, Shannon Szabados and the 2000-2001 Crimson Deer Rebels within the 2024 class.

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Free Pucks

Earlier than the sport on Saturday, the Calgary Hitmen gave out the crew’s annual awards. Under are the winners of every award:

• Participant of the Yr: Oliver Tulk
• Defenceman of the Yr: Carter Yakemchuk
• Rookie of the Yr: Ben Kindel
• Calgary Hitmen Fan Favorite: Keets Fawcett
• Humanitarian Award: Ethan Buenaventura and Carson Wetsch
• Scholastic Award: Chase Valliant
• Three-Star Choice Award (awarded to the participant who obtained essentially the most three-star picks this season): Oliver Tulk
• Main Scorer Award: Oliver Tulk
• Coaches Award: Ethan Buenaventura
• Gamers Alternative Award: Ethan Buenaventura
• 20-year-old Commencement Award: Tyson Greenway

mkaake@postmedia.com

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