WHL Calgary Hitmen

Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, September 26 vs Kootenay

Published on September 26, 2015 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release


CALGARY HITMEN (1-0-0-0, 2 pts.) vs KOOTENAY ICE (0-1-0-0, 0 pts.)

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 - 7 p.m. - Scotiabank Saddledome

TONIGHT'S GAME

Tonight the Calgary Hitmen host the Kootenay ICE in the Adrenalin Source For Sports Home Opener at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Game time is 7:00 p.m. with fans encouraged to be in their seats early for a special pre-game ceremony that will include the introduction of the 2015-16 Hitmen team.

The Hitmen and ICE kicked off this home-and-home series last night in Cranbrook, in the season opener for both teams, with the Hitmen posting a 4-2 victory. Carsen Twarynski, Travis Sanheim, Taylor Sanheim and Radel Fazleev all scored for Calgary while Brendan Burke made 22 saves to record his 86th career Western Hockey League win. Jordy Stallard and Layne Bensmiller both added a pair of assists for the Hitmen who led 2-1 after the first period and 4-1 after 40 minutes. Nathyn Mortlock and Jon Martin scored for Kootenay. Calgary outshot the ICE 30-24.

HITMEN BROADCAST INFORMATION

Radio: Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)

Webcast: WHL LIVE at whl.neulion.com

Broadcast begins at 7:00 p.m. MT

ATTACHMENTS

WHL Daily Report and Media Kit

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STREAKS

None

NOTEWORTHY

- ALL-TIME IN HOME OPENERS: In the previous 20 home openers, the Hitmen have a combined record of 10 wins, six losses, three overtime losses and one tie.

- WHL DEBUTS: Two Hitmen played in their first career WHL regular season game last night against the ICE; Andrew Fyten and Mark Kastelic.

- BURKIE'S BUCKET: On Friday, the Calgary Hitmen launched an exciting new contest, Burkie's Bucket. Over the next week, fans can submit their designs for goaltender Brendan Burke's new goalie mask at HitmenHockey.com. The contest closes Friday, Oct. 2.

- PRE-SEASON RECAP: Calgary went 7-0 during their seven-game exhibition schedule, outscoring their opponents by a combined 29-16. Layne Bensmiller led the Hitmen in pre-season scoring with nine points (3g, 6a) in seven games. Jake Bean (1g, 5a) was next with six points while Beck Malenstyn (2g, 3a) and Loch Morrison (5a) had five points each.

- LET'S GO CAMPING: The Hitmen were well represented at NHL camps this month with eight roster players getting a taste of professional hockey: Brendan Burke (Anaheim), Radel Fazleev (Philadelphia), Keegan Kanzig (Calgary), Pavel Karnaukhov (Calgary), Chase Lang (Minnesota), Travis Sanheim (Philadelphia), Ben Thomas (Tampa Bay), and Jake Virtanen (Vancouver). Two remain with their respected NHL organizations with Burke, Fazleev, Karnaukhov, Lang, Sanheim and Thomas rejoining the Hitmen this week.

- FAMILIAR FACES: The Hitmen season opening 28-player roster features 19 returning players from the 2014-15 season.

- DIVISIONAL DIET: Five of Calgary's first nine games of the season are against teams from their own Central Division.

- WHL TOP 125: The Western Hockey League has unveiled its list of the top 125 players in WHL history as selected by a committee of League historians. Among them are seven Hitmen grads; Karl Alzner, Pavel Brendl, Ryan Getzlaf, Brandon Kozun, Andrew Ladd, Brad Moran and Brad Stuart.

- JERSEY AUCTION: Tonight fans have a chance to buy a piece of franchise history. The club is holding its annual game-worn and game-issued jersey auction. All black and white jerseys from the 2014-15 season will be up for bid. The silent auction is on the Scotiabank Saddledome concourse by section 226. All bids will close when the puck drops at the start of the third period. Winners will also receive a letter of authenticity.

- POST-GAME AUTOGRAPHS: Meet forward Pavel Karnaukhov after the Adrenalin Source For Sports Home Opener at the Booster Club table located on the concourse by section 212.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Sept. 23 Announced the return of Ben Thomas from Tampa Bay Lightning camp

Sept. 23 Announced the return of Radel Fazleev from Philadelphia Flyers camp

Sept. 23 Announced the return of Travis Sanheim from Philadelphia Flyers camp

Sept. 23 Announced the return of Brendan Burke from Anaheim Ducks camp

Sept. 21 Announced the return of Chase Lang from Minnesota Wild camp

Sept. 20 Reassigned prospects Tristen Nielsen and Murphy Stratton

Sept. 20 Announced the return of Pavel Karnaukhov from Calgary Flames camp

UPCOMING GAMES

All times in MT. Schedule subject to change.

PROMO CALENDAR

Single game tickets for all 36 Hitmen home games are on sale now. Upcoming highlights include:

- Women's Night on Sunday,

Oct. 18. against Regina

- KIDS DAY on Sunday, Nov. 1 versus Seattle

- WHL 50th Season on Friday, Nov. 13 against Kootenay

- 21st annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss on Sunday, Dec. 6 versus Swift Current

- Dodge Skate with the Hitmen on Sunday, Jan. 31 against Brandon

- Lunar Celebration with post-game fireworks on Friday, Feb. 12 versus Red Deer

- Co-op Family Day on Sunday, Feb. 14 against Lethbridge

- Fan Appreciation Day on Sunday, Mar. 20 versus Kootenay

MILESTONES WITHIN REACH

- Ben Thomas is two assists shy of 50

Check out the Calgary Hitmen Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 26, 2015


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