Calgary Hitmen vs Swift Current Broncos
HITMEN HEADLINES: The Calgary Hitmen return to Scotiabank Saddledome following a 5-0 loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers last night at The Arena. The visiting Hitmen outshot the Tigers in the first and third periods, but were unable to put one past Tyler Bunz who had a 36 save performance. After allowing four goals on 11 shots, Brandon Glover was relieved by Chris Driedger in the second frame. Driedger made 17 saves in the loss.
VS SWIFT CURRENT: Today is the first of four meetings with the Broncos. Last season Swift Current won the season series taking three of four meetings. The Hitmen and the Broncos will meet again on Tuesday, October 18 in Swift Current.
HITMEN DEBUT: On October 12, Chris Driedger registered 20 saves against the Regina Pats in his first Hitmen appearance between the pipes.
MACEK HITS MILESTONE: On October 12, center Brooks Macek played in his 200th WHL game. Since his 2008 debut, the 19-year-old center has registered a combined 143 points (44g 99a).
CAPTIAN SYLVESTER: Hitmen19-year-old center Cody Sylvester has been given the captaincy. Sylvester will wear the letter full time and is joined by three assistants: Brooks Macek, Spencer Humphries and Jimmy Bubnick.
CARRYING THE PLAY: The Hitmen have outshot their opponents a combined 210-159 in six straight games this season.
LOTS OF PRACTICE ICE: The Hitmen have played the fewest games of any team in the Eastern Conference at just six. Edmonton and Lethbridge each have 11 games under their belt while Medicine Hat, Regina, Kootenay and Swift Current sit at ten games played.
JERSEY AND HELMET AUCTION: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Calgary Hitmen Hockey Mums Fight Breast Cancer campaign is back for another season with community partner the TELUS Calgary Community Board. Fans can bid on game worn black and pink jerseys and pink helmets by going to www.hitmenhockey.com and clicking on the Hockey Mums Fight Breast Cancer link. Net proceeds go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The auction closes Wednesday, October 26th at 9:00 p.m. MST. The Hockey Mums Fight Breast Cancer game is Saturday, October 29th when the Hitmen host the Everett Silvertips.
AUTOGRAPH SESSION: Following every home game this season a Hitmen player will be signing autographs at the Booster Club table located behind section 211. Signing following the Sunday, October 23 game will be forward Trevor Cheek.
AHL TRYOUT: Hitmen 20-year-old defenceman Ben Wilson is in the American Hockey League attending a tryout with the Lake Erie Monsters.
2010-11 GRADS: The three 20-year-old graduating Hitmen from last season have all continued their hockey careers elsewhere: Tyler Fiddler is in the CIS with the University of Calgary Dinos, Kris Foucault is at Minnesota Wild camp while Misha Fisenko is in the KHL with Novokuznetsk Metallurg.
DRAFTED PLAYERS: Brooks Macek (6th round Detroit 2010); Victor Rask (2nd round Carolina 2011).
OFF SEASON MOVES: July 20 – Hitmen acquire 17-year-old Chris Driedger (G) from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for a third round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. July 28 – Hitmen claim 20-year-old Kenton Miller (LW) off waivers from the Spokane Chiefs. August 18 – Hitmen acquire 18-year-old Brady Brassart (C) from the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for a fourth round conditional pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. September 15 – Hitmen trade 18-year-old Kyle Schmidt (D) to the Saskatoon Blades for a fourth round pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.
CHL IMPORT DRAFT: Hitmen selected 18-year-old Victor Rask (C) from Sweden 3rd overall in 2011 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft and 19-year-old Alexander Gogolev (RW) from Russia with their second round pick, 60th overall.
MOBILE APP: The official WHL Calgary Hitmen App for iPhone, Blackberry and Android devices is now available FREE from the iTunes store, Blackberry App World and Android Marketplace. The App allows fans to stay updated on the latest scores, statistics, standings and schedules, interact with other fans through chat, follow the Hitmen Twitter and Facebook feeds and purchase tickets through the mobile browser.
UP NEXT: The Hitmen head out on a two-game road trip starting Tuesday, October 18 in Swift Current and wrapping up in Regina on Thursday, October 20. Calgary returns to Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday, October 23 to face the Kootenay Ice at 4:00 p.m.
