Hitmen game notes
Published on September 24, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
NEW SEASON: The 2004-05 season marks the 10th year in the WHL for the Calgary Hitmen. To celebrate this milestone, the team has introduced a commemorative 10th Anniversary Jersey that will be worn at the first 18 home games of the season. The Hitmen begin the new season with a total of nine new roster players and a brand new coaching staff. General Manager KELLY KISIO has added the title Head Coach to his list of duties. KISIO has been the General Manager of the team since the 1998-99 season. Joining Kelly on the bench will be Co-Coach DEAN EVASON who for the past two seasons was the Head Coach of the Vancouver Giants. Prior to his stint in Kamloops, he was the Head Coach of the Kamloops Blazers for 3 seasons. EVASON was with the Hitmen in the spring of 1999 when he joined the club as an Assistant Coach, en route to the Memorial Cup. EVASON and KISIO were teammates in the NHL. They are joined by Assistant Coach / Assistant General Manager BLAINE FORSYTHE and Goaltender Coach DARCY WAKALUK.
THE PRE-SEASON: The Hitmen were 2-1-1 in exhibition play. Calgary had a tie and loss vs. Kootenay and won two of three games against Red Deer. Defenceman BRETT CARSON led the team in the pre-season with four points. Rookie RYAN WHITE was the only player with two pre-season goals.
THE ROSTER: 25 players are currently listed on the team roster. The breakdown includes; (5) 16 year-olds, (3) 17 year-olds, (6) 18 year-olds, (7) 19 year-olds, (4) 20 year-olds.
2004 NHL ENTRY DRAFT: 5 Hitmen players were selected at this years NHL Entry Draft in Carolina, including three in the 1st Round. ANDREW LADD was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 1st Round, 4th overall. Hes joins former Hitmen PAVEL BRENDL as the highest ever drafted player from the Hitmen. In 1999, BRENDL was selected by the New York Rangers 4th overall. JEFF SCHULTZ and ANDY ROGERS also went in the 1st Round. SCHULTZ to Washington Capitals (27th Overall)and ROGERS to Tampa Bay Lightning(30th Overall). BRETT CARSON went in the 4th Round to the Carolina Hurricanes and STEVE COVINGTON in the 7th Round to the Detroit Red Wings.
DID YOU KNOW: RYAN GETZLAF signed a contract with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks at the conclusion of Ducks Rookie Camp. The Hitmen have two new Europeans for the 2004-05 season. KONSTANTIN PUSHKAREV a draft choice of Los Angeles and ROMAN TOMANK a draft choice of Phoenix. TOMANEK will make his WHL debut tonight, PUSHKAREV is expected to join the team this weekend. The Hitmen had four players invited to the Canadian National Junior team development camp this summer. The list included: GETZLAF, LADD, SCHULTZ and ROGERS.
VS. RED DEER: This is the first of ten regular season games vs. the Rebels. Last season the Hitmen were 5-3-2-0 vs. Red Deer. The Rebels eliminated the Hitmen in Round One of the WHL Playoffs in seven games.
NEW FACES: There are nine new roster players including KEEGAN DANSEREAU, BRODIE DUPONT, CODY McMULLIN, KONSTANTIN PUSHKAREV, ISAAC REID, ROMAN TOMANEK, RYAN WHITH, KARL ALZNER and Goalie DANIEL SPENCE.
INJURY REPORT: Darryl Moscaluk (Back) day to day
THE SCHEDULE: The Hitmen and Rebels are back in Pengrowth Saddledome on Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm. The Hitmen then play Wednesday, September 29th at home vs. Lethbridge.
HITMEN DRAFTED PLAYERS
Ryan Getzlaf 1st Round Anaheim Mighty Ducks 2003
Andrew Ladd 1st Round Carolina Hurricanes 2004
Jeff Schultz 1st Round Washington Capitals 2004
Andy Rogers 1st Round Tampa Bay Lightning 2004
Konstantin Pushkarev 2nd Round Los Angeles Kings 2003
Roman Tomanek 4th Round Phoenix Coyotes 2004
Brett Carson 4th Round Carolina Hurricanes 2004
Steve Covington 7th Round Detroit Red Wings 2004
Darryl Yacboski 7th Round Colorado Avalanche 2003
Shaun Landolt 8th Round Toronto Maple Leafs 2003
Western Hockey League Stories from September 24, 2004
- Wheaties take opener - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Chiefs hit the road Saturday night - Spokane Chiefs
- Blades Name Green Captain - Saskatoon Blades
- Blazers and Pats deal - Kamloops Blazers
- Curtain goes up on WHL season tonight - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Hitmen game notes - Calgary Hitmen
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