Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, October 12 at Edmonton
October 12, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
CALGARY HITMEN (4-0-1-0, 9 pts.) at EDMONTON OIL KINGS (5-1-3-0, 13 pts.) Saturday, October 12, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. MT - Rogers Place
TODAY'S GAME
The Calgary Hitmen, winners of four in a row, meet the Oil Kings in Edmonton tonight at Rogers Place. Calgary is coming off last Sunday's 5-2 home ice victory over Portland. Egor Zamula, Jett Woo, Orca Wiesblatt, and Tye Carriere all tallied a goal and an assist with Josh Prokop rounding out the Hitmen scoring. Goaltender Jack McNaughton made 31 saves, including 12 in the third period, to preserve the win. Calgary also won the special teams battle going 1-2 on the power play while killing all five Portland chances. The Hitmen, at nine points, are third in the Central Division, four points back of the co-leading Tigers and Oil Kings but with four games in hand on both teams.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio: Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Webcast: WHL Live at whllive.com
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STREAKS
- Three Hitmen take point scoring streaks into tonight's game in Edmonton; Egor Zamula (3g, 4a) is riding a four-game point streak while Carson Focht (3g, 4a) has points in three consecutive games. Adam Kydd (2g, 1a) has points in back-to-back games.
- Goaltender Jack McNaughton has won all three of his starts this season posting a 1.98 goals against average and .918 save percentage.
NOTEWORTHY VS. EDMONTON: Tonight is the second of eight regular season meetings between the two clubs. Calgary is 1-0 against their provincial rivals after topping the Oil Kings 15 days ago in the Hitmen home opener. Carson Focht netted the game winner in a 4-3 overtime triumph. Calgary is 2-4-4-0 in their last 10 visits to Rogers Place.
2019-20 SERIES RECAP Sept. 27/19 in CGY: CGY 4 EDM 3 OT...Carson Focht (2g, 1a) and James Malm (1g, 2a) recorded three points each.
INSIDE THE SERIES Shots on Goal: CGY 37 EDM 24 Power Plays: CGY 1-4 (25%) EDM 1-3 (33.3%)
LEADERSHIP GROUP: Mark Kastelic will once again serve as team captain this season while Dakota Krebs, Jett Woo, Riley Stotts and Carson Focht form the remainder of the team's leadership core. Kastelic, who is in his fifth campaign with Calgary, becomes the fourth player in franchise history to wear the 'C' in back-to-back seasons and the first since Cody Sylvester (2011-13). Krebs and Stotts will each wear an 'A' for the second consecutive year. Krebs and Woo will serve as full-time alternate captains while Stotts and Focht will share the third 'A'.
CANADIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE ATTENTION: The Hitmen are ranked fifth in this week's Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings and are the top representative from the WHL. Teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts. The OHL's Oshawa Generals own the number one spot.
DRAFT CLASS: Two Hitmen players have been named to NHL Central Scouting's 'Players to Watch' list for the 2020 NHL Draft. Goaltender Jack McNaughton and defenceman Luke Prokop have both received a 'B' rating which indicates a second- or third-round candidate.
WHL FIRSTS: Three members of the Hitmen have already recorded significant milestones in the young season. Rookie Adam Kydd scored his first career goal on Sept. 29 while goaltender Carl Stankowski recorded his first career shutout that same night. Riley Stotts recorded his first career hat-trick in the 5-1 victory over the Rebels on Sept. 28. Evan Toth made his WHL debut on Oct. 6 against Portland.
RAMPING UP: Calgary had a quiet start playing just five games in the first 22 days of the WHL regular season schedule but things are about to change. Tonight begins a stretch of 12 games in 29 days.
HITMEN IN THE NHL: 127 WHL alumni, including nine graduates of the Calgary Hitmen, are on National Hockey League rosters to start the 2019-20 season. Hitmen Alumni include: Johnny Boychuk (NYI), Ryan Getzlaf (ANA), Martin Jones (SJS), Andrew Ladd (NYI), Victor Rask (MIN), Travis Sanheim (PHI), Michael Stone (CGY), Carsen Twarynski (PHI) and Jake Virtanen (VAN).
ROSTER MOVES: On Oct. 1, the Hitmen reassigned 16-year-old Zac Funk to the Okanagan Rockets of the BCMML, 19-year-old Andrew Viggars to the West Kelowna Warriors of the BCHL, and placed 17-year-old Samuel Krajc on Import Waivers. On Sept. 17, the Hitmen reassigned three players sending 16-year-old defenceman Tyson Galloway to the Merritt Centennials (BCJHL), 17 year-old goaltender Ethan Hein to the Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) and 16 year-old defenceman Rory Neill to the Winnipeg Wild (MMHL).
MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS INJURY REPORT: Cael Zimmerman (indefinite, lower body).
POST-GAME AUTOGRAPHS: Meet forward Devan Klassen after Monday's Thanksgiving Day game against Saskatoon. Klassen will be signing autographs at the Hitmen Booster Club table located behind section 212.
PROSPECT WATCH: Mason Finley, Calgary's fifth-round pick, 101st overall, in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft is off to a hot start this season. The 15-year-old has seven points (3g, 4a) in four games for the Okanagan Rockets of the BC Minor Midget League. His dad Jeff played 708 career games in the NHL from 1987 to 2004.
BRET 'THE HITMAN' HART NIGHT: On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Hitmen will host Bret 'The Hitman" Hart Night presented by Kal Tire. The game against Saskatoon highlights how fans can help Bret pin prostate cancer by purchasing a special $15 ticket with $5 directed to Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre. This offer is only available by visiting the event page at http://www.prostatecancercentre.ca/bret-the-hitman-hart-night/. The game includes a photo opportunity with Bret at the pre-game photo booth. Proceeds will once again benefit Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre. As a tribute to the legendary professional wrestler, the Hitmen and the Prairie Wrestling Alliance will host a post-game wrestling card that is FREE with a game ticket. A wrestling ring will be set up on the ice for a four-match 'Battle in the Dome' with a special career retrospective live on the Energy Board.
AUCTION ALERT: The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club is excited to offer fans an opportunity to own a piece of franchise history. More than 80 game-worn, game-issued and authentic jerseys from seasons passed are now available for bid in a historical jersey auction. Bidding concludes Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. MST. Be part of celebrating the team's heritage while supporting the Calgary Hitmen Foundation as a portion of the auction proceeds will be directed to education, grassroots sports and youth wellness programs in our community. Full details are available at elevateauctions.com/HitmenHistoricalAuction.
HITMEN PLEDGE: 'The Hitmen Pledge powered by ENMAX' is now up and running. As part of the 25th anniversary season of Hitmen Hockey, this charitable initiative hopes to raise 25,000 hours of community service towards Calgary and surrounding area. Fans and members of the community are asked to take the pledge by contributing 25 volunteer hours to a charitable cause in the hopes of receiving $25,000 to gift to a registered Southern Alberta charity of their choice. Full details can be found at https://hitmenhockey.com/pledge.
TICKET SPECIALS: The 2019-20 Hitmen Hockey Pass is on sale now and includes 33 game tickets plus one ticket voucher to be used anytime, in any combination. Pass holders also receive a special 25th anniversary jersey, $50 Scotiabank Saddledome gift card and a complimentary ticket to a select Flames, Roughnecks or Stampeders game. Passes start at less than $7 per ticket for kids and under $15 for adults.
HITMEN MONTH-BY-MONTH: September (3-0-1-0), October (1-0-0-0).
HITMEN VS: (BDN 0-0-0-0), (EDM 1-0-0-0), (EVT 0-0), (KAM 0-0), (KEL 0-0), (LET 0-0), (MH 1-0), (MJ 0-0), (POR 1-0), (PA 0-0), (PG 0-0), (RD 1-0), (REG 0-0), (SAS 0-0), (SEA 0-0), (SPO 0-0), (SC 0-0-1-0), (TC 0-0), (VAN 0-0), (VIC 0-0), WPG (0-0)
UPCOMING GAMES All times in MT. Schedule subject to change. Date
Opponent Time Broadcast
Mon., Oct. 14 vs. SAS 2:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Fri., Oct. 18 vs. MJ 7:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Sun., Oct. 20 vs. MH 2:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Fri., Oct. 25 @ MJ 7:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Sun., Oct. 27 @ REG 4:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
PROMO CALENDAR
Hitmen single game tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations, with seats for The Teddy Bear Toss available starting Tues. Oct. 15 at 10:00 a.m. to allow Hitmen Hockey Pass Holders and Flex Pack Holders the first opportunity to exchange their tickets. Upcoming home game highlights include: - AirBand Together for a Wish presented by euroPRODUCTIONS on Oct. 14 vs. SAS presented by Rangeland Engineering - Diwali Celebration presented by Red FM & Sunday Funday, presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Oct. 20 vs. MH - Wizarding Day on Oct. 28 vs. SEA - Bret the Hitman Hart Night on Nov. 2 vs. SAS
- Tim Hortons Minor Hockey Day & Sunday Funday, presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Nov. 3 vs. EDM
- ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 1 vs. RD
- Carols for Christmas presented by Peak Medical on Dec. 6 vs. EDM - Sunday Funday, presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Dec. 8 vs. EVT - Sunday Funday, presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Dec. 15 vs. LET - Soccer Day on Dec. 30 vs. EDM - Airdrie Day presented by Southland Transportation on Jan. 1 vs. MH
MILESTONE WATCH - James Malm needs one point to reach 200.
- Dakota Krebs is one game away from 250.
- Mark Kastelic is one goal shy of moving into a tie with Brett Sonne for 13th on the clubs all-time goal scoring list with 89. Kastelic is also two points away from tying Sonne for 18th place on the all-time points list with 170.
Western Hockey League Stories from October 12, 2019
- Weekend Ends with Loss in Prince Albert - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Pats Doubled up by Giants, 4-2 - Regina Pats
- Oil Kings Overpower Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
- Broncos Sign Hayden Ostir to SPA - Swift Current Broncos
- Game 10 vs Red Deer - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Game Preview: Lethbridge in Town for Nutrien Country Harvest Night - Saskatoon Blades
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, October 12 at Edmonton - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Preview: Pats Look to Bounce Back Saturday at Home to Vancouver - Regina Pats
- Howe Brings Championship Experience to Warriors - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Preview: Broncos Welcome Winnipeg to Swift Current - Swift Current Broncos
- ICE Visit Swift Current for the First Time this Season - Winnipeg Ice
- Cougars Finally Beat Spokane - Prince George Cougars
- Tri-City Warms up with Overtime Win - Tri-City Americans
- Garand Backstops Kamloops over Everett - Everett Silvertips
- Rockets rally from two goal deficit to down T-Birds - Kelowna Rockets
- Rockets Fly Past T-Birds - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Rebels Get Caught Chasing in Shutout Loss to Winterhawks - Red Deer Rebels
- Royals Earn Point in Overtime Loss to Americans - Victoria Royals
- Nielsen's Three Point Night Sparks Giants in a 4-1 Win in Moose Jaw - Vancouver Giants
- Prince George Defeats Chiefs, 3-1 - Spokane Chiefs
- Tigers Freeze Ice 5-2 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Moe Strikes Twice in Win Over Hurricanes - Prince Albert Raiders
- Two Straight Wins as the Hawks Blank the Rebels 5-0 - Portland Winterhawks
- ICE Fall to Tigers 5-2 - Winnipeg Ice
- Wouters' Short-Handed Goal Sinks Wheat Kings in Brandon - Saskatoon Blades
- Blades Edge Wheat Kings 2-1 - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Winning Streak Ends with Loss to Giants - Moose Jaw Warriors
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