Hitmen Announce Return of Pavel Karnaukhov and Trim Roster to 28
September 20, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
Calgary, AB - The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club today announced three roster moves ahead of the start of the Western Hockey League regular season.
Forward Pavel Karnaukhov is returning to the Hitmen after attending Calgary Flames Training Camp while prospects Tristen Nielsen and Murphy Stratton have both been re-assigned.
Karnaukhov, who was drafted by the Flames in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft, is coming off a rookie season which saw the 18-year-old score 20 goals and add 22 assists for 42 points. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound centre had an impressive showing during his first Flames camp that included a three point performance (2g, 1a) against the University of Calgary Dino's earlier in the week.
Meanwhile 15-year-old Nielsen and 16-year-old Stratton have been returned to their respected clubs. Nielsen, Calgary's first round pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft is headed back to Edge School Prep team while Stratton, an eighth round bantam pick in 2014, has been assigned to the Los Angeles Junior Kings.
Today's moves leave the Hitmen with 28 players on their roster, although the following seven remain at NHL main camps; Brendan Burke (Anaheim), Radel Fazleev (Philadelphia), Keegan Kanzig (Calgary), Chase Lang (Minnesota), Travis Sanheim (Philadelphia), Ben Thomas (Tampa Bay) and Jake Virtanen (Vancouver).
The Hitmen will open their 21st season in the WHL later this week with a home-and-home series against the Kootenay ICE. They begin on Friday, September 25 in Cranbrook before returning to the Scotiabank Saddledome for the Adrenalin Source For Sports Home Opener on Saturday, September 26. Game time both nights is 7:00 p.m.
For more information on tickets, including Name Your Game flex packages and season tickets, call customer service at 403-777-4646 or visit HitmenHockey.com.
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Western Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2015
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