WHL Calgary Hitmen

Hitmen to host Swift Current Wednesday, Medicine Hat Friday

Published on October 1, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release


HITMEN HEADLINES: Calgary is back in the Pengrowth Saddledome tonight to host Swift Current after winning two of three games on the road. After a 4-3 victory in Brandon on Friday and a 3-2 OT win in Moose Jaw on Saturday, the Hitmen fell 3-2 in Regina Sunday night. Regina jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two periods before the Hitmen comeback attempt on goals from Brett Sonne and Ian Schultz fell short. Calgary out shot Regina 25-23 as Dan Spence took the loss making 20 saves. Calgary was 0-3 on the powerplay, while Regina was 1-3.

BY THE NUMBERS: Calgary leads the Central Division with 10 points after a 5-1 start. They are 3-1 on the road, 2-0 at home. Calgary has also outscored their opponents by a combined 21-11.

VS SWIFT CURRENT: Tonight is first of four meetings with the Broncos. Last season, the two teams met four times with Calgary going 2-0-1-1 against Swift Current. Their next meeting is November 20th in Swift Current.

POINT STREAKS: Brett Sonne is on a four game point streak (4g2a). Brandon Kozun has goals in two straight games (2g0a), while Carson McMillan has assists in two straight (2a).

TRADE WINDS: On Saturday the Hitmen and Swift Current Broncos hooked up in a four player trade. Calgary acquired 19-year-old center Kyle Bortis and 18-year-old defenceman Paul Postma in exchange for 19-year-old right winger Keegan Dansereau and 18-year-old defenceman Brett Plouffe. Plouffe was then moved onto Tri-City.

SPREADING AROUND THE OFFENCE: Calgary's 21 goals this season have been scored by 11 different players. Brett Sonne leads the way with four. Meanwhile, including the departed Brett Plouffe, 18 different Hitmen have at least one point.

DID YOU KNOW? Alex Plante remains with the Edmonton Oilers. The Hitmen are ranked #1 in this week's CHL Top 10 Rankings. Ten of Calgary's first 14 games are on the road.

2006-07 GRADS: Brodie Dupont is with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL), Derek LeBlanc is at the University of Lethbridge, Freddie Pettersson is playing pro hockey in the Swedish A League, Dylan Yeo is with the Manitoba Moose, Steve Covington is with the Phoenix Roadrunners (ECHL) while Robin Figren was taken by Edmonton in the Oil Kings expansion draft.

HOMEGROWN TALENT: Of the 27 players on the Hitmen roster, 14 were drafted by Calgary in the WHL Bantam Draft. Meanwhile, the Hitmen have three players on their roster from Calgary: T.J. Galiardi, Brandon Kozun and Ian Schultz.

DRAFTED PLAYERS: The Hitmen have eight NHL picks ...Ryan White-(3rd round Montreal 2006), Keith Seabrook-(2nd round Washington 2006), Karl Alzner-(1st round Washington 2007), Alex Plante-(1st round Edmonton 2007), T.J. Galiardi-(2nd round Colorado 2007), Brett Sonne-(3rd round St. Louis 2007), Carson McMillan-(7th round Minnesota 2007) and Paul Postma-(7th round Atlanta 2007).

THE ROSTER: Calgary is carrying 27 players; (16 forwards, 9 defencemen and 2 goalies)

-Break down....3 (20 year-olds), 9 (19 year-olds), 6 (18year-olds), 7 (17 year-olds) and 2 (16 year-olds). There are 15 returning players from the 2006-07 season.

POWERPLAY SLUMP: After starting the season 3-15 with the man advantage, the Hitmen are now 0 for their last 19.

UPCOMING GAMES: Calgary wraps up their mini two game home stand Friday night against Medicine Hat. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Pengrowth Saddledome. The Hitmen then hit the road for five games in seven nights beginning Sunday in Prince George.

Check out the Calgary Hitmen Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 1, 2007


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