Hitmen Name Colby Harmsworth Team Captain
October 29, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
Calgary, AB - The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club today announced Colby Harmsworth has been named the 23rd captain in franchise history. Travis Sanheim and Micheal Zipp have been appointed alternate captains for the 2015-16 season.
"Colby is in his fourth WHL season with the Hitmen and we feel this is an honour he's earned during his tenure and believe he will be a great leader, not only our for team, but also in the community," said Hitmen head coach Mark French. "Colby has demonstrated leadership on the ice with his unselfish play and his willingness to always put the team first, doing whatever is necessary to help the Hitmen be successful."
Harmsworth, a shutdown defenceman, is the longest-serving Hitmen having appeared in 181 career regular season games, recording 37 points (seven goals, 30 assists) and 74 penalty minutes. He is also a career plus-49. The 20-year-old took home the TELUS Coaches Award last season and was co-recipient of the team's NSD Sports & Fitness Club Players' Choice Award. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan product was originally selected by the Hitmen in the third round, 54th overall, in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
Harmsworth succeeds Derek Wood (1995-96), Jeremy Schaefer (1996-97), Ryan Shannon (1997-99), Brad Moran (1999-00), Kris Beech (2000-01), Rod Sarich (2001-02), Wade Davis (2002-03), Patrick Weller (2002-04), Ryan Getzlaf (2004-05), Brett Carson (2005-06), Dylan Yeo (2006-07), Karl Alzner (2007-08), Kyle Bortis and Carson McMillan (2008-09 co-captains), Ian Schultz and Michael Stone (2009-10 co-captains), Tyler Fiddler, Matt Mackenzie, Cody Sylvester and Ben Wilson (2010-11 co-captains), Cody Sylvester (2011-13), Jaynen Rissling (2013-14) and Kenton Helgesen (2014-15) as team captain.
Sanheim, 19, is in his third season with Calgary. Selected by the Hitmen in the ninth round, 177th overall, in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, his career has blossomed in Calgary. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft after helping Team Canada to a bronze medal at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship. The product of Elkhorn, Manitoba was named Calgary's Top Defenceman last season and currently leads the team in scoring with 17 points.
Zipp, from Edmonton, Alberta, is in his third season with the Hitmen after being acquired from the Everett Silvertips in January of 2014. He has appeared in 171 career WHL regular season games scoring nine goals and adding 22 assists for 31 points. His steady defensive play led to a plus-28 rating last season, fourth highest on the team.
The Hitmen return to action tonight when they welcome the Spokane Chiefs to the Scotiabank Saddledome. It's also FAN CELEBRATION where $10,000 in prizes will be given away including Hitmen season tickets and signed Hitmen jerseys and sticks along with Flames, Stampeders and Roughnecks tickets. Game time is 7:00 p.m.
Individual game tickets are available at Ticketmaster locations and the Scotiabank Saddledome box office. Order online at HitmenHockey.com or by phone at 1-855-985-5000. For more ticket information, call customer service at 403-777-4646.
Western Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2015
- Bukarts Dealt to Winterhawks - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Pats 'Funding the Fight' on Friday - Regina Pats
- Preview: Oil Kings at Blades - October 29th - Saskatoon Blades
- Hockey Hounds Game Worn Jersey Draw November 1 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Winterhawks Acquire Rihards Bukarts from Brandon - Portland Winterhawks
- Hitmen Name Colby Harmsworth Team Captain - Calgary Hitmen
- Chartier out of Canada-Russia Series Due to Injury - Kelowna Rockets
- Reid Gardiner Added to Team WHL Roster for Canada-Russia Series - Prince Albert Raiders
- Raiders' Gardiner Added to Team WHL Roster - WHL
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Thursday, October 29 vs Spokane - Calgary Hitmen
- Wheat Kings Score Comeback Win - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Silvertips Edged in Shootout - Everett Silvertips
- Giants Fall to Hurricanes - Vancouver Giants
- Blazers Win 6-1 over Cougars - Kamloops Blazers
- Hill Leads Portland Past Tri-City - Tri-City Americans
- Winterhawks Win Fourth Straight with 5-2 Victory over Tri-Cities - Portland Winterhawks
- The Kids Are Alright - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Rylan Parenteau records second shutout of the season - Prince Albert Raiders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
