A New Home
It’s a season unlike any other.
Playing under Covid-19 protocols with a condensed schedule, there have been a lot of changes for the Hitmen this season – but the biggest and most significant one is playing home games at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on Tsuut’ina Nation.
During a challenging period, it’s been a bright spot for the club.
This isn’t the first time the Hitmen played at the facility, as they hosted the Edmonton Oil Kings there back in September 2019. That was the first official competitive game to be played at the arena since its doors opened in July of the same year.
That seed has since sprouted and grown into a strong partnership.
“It took a lot of people and work to get it done, but to see it all come together is unbelievable,” said Hitmen Assistant Business Manager Rob Kerr. “It came together when we struck a return-to-play group to supplement what we were hearing so that we were ready to come back. Siksika Health was part of it and they were the ones that suggested we talked to Tsuut’ina about the Grey Eagle Resort.
“They bent over backwards for us and were tremendous. Once we realized, for safety, that the Saddledome wasn’t going to be an option, it was a no brainer to play out of the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex.
“We are guests of Tsuut’ina and want to respect and showcase their culture. We want them to feel that the Hitmen is their team and a part of their community.”
Wayne Sugai, General Manager of the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex & Chief Jim Starlight Centre, was one of many who helped make it all possible and saw it as an opportunity for both sides to benefit from.
“This is huge for us,” Sugai said. “It gives us the opportunity for cross-culture awareness about Tsuut’ina. A lot of people in Calgary live on the border line but don’t know anything about us or First Nations in general.
“This gave us a chance to showcase our culture and building. We look at the Hitmen as family, it’s something that’s long lasting and we will be looking forward to build on that for many years to come.”
When it finally came time to drop the puck a week ago, seeing it all came together was a sight to behold.
From the game presentation to the actual on-ice product (which could be viewed on WHL Live), the weeks of planning paid off.
“The Chief and council had final say and when they gave the blessing to move forward it was off to work,” Sugai said. “Once opening night came, there was so much excitement to finally have hockey back once again.
“Everything went without a hitch and you could see the players had a lot of jump. To have them play in our facility is incredible, especially to have such a high-level hockey team playing here.
“Seeing the final product come together was surreal,” Kerr added. “It was almost a year since the last time there was a meaningful game played, so it was neat to stand back and see the young men get out there and do what they have worked so hard to do.”
For the Hitmen, being part of the community they play in is paramount. This new partnership has served to further strengthen that bond here.
“With Brent Dodginghorse on our council and him being an alumnus of the Hitmen, it really is a full circle moment,” Sugai said. “The Hitmen do so much in the community and a lot of our youth hockey players look up to them. To see how much this partnership has grown in the span of a couple years, it’s exciting to see how much more it will grow.”
That excitement is shared by the team.
“Our vision of the Calgary Hitmen is a community based team and that means improving the community to make it stronger and better” explained Kerr. “In this case, this gives us a chance to move things forward and spark change while standing with different partners to support, that’s where our best work is done.”
And for the players, this will – without a doubt – be a memorable season.
It’s not just the fact that they are living at the Grey Eagle Resort together in a bubble, but the experience of playing at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex and the lasting impact it will have for the better for the Tsuut’ina community.
“We have a responsibility to the young men to not just help them become better hockey players but also mold them into great young men,” explained Kerr. “We have a responsibility to help turn them into ambassadors so that they can talk credibility about the things they’ve been involved such as this.
“It’s a wonderful experience and we are so grateful for them more than they will ever know.”
