Hitmen developing a potential pick six
Jason Pirie/hitmenhockey.com
Photo: Candice Ward
It’s always a proud moment for a junior hockey organization to have one of its own considered for the NHL Entry Draft.
The Calgary Hitmen have multiplied that feeling of gratification by producing a Western Hockey League best six players that could potentially hear their names called in June.
Defenceman Jake Bean (13th), forwards Jordy Stallard (84th), Carsen Twarynski (95th), Jakob Stukel (113th) and Beck Malenstyn (124th), as well as goaltender Cody Porter (18th), were recognized on the recently released NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings for North American skaters and goaltenders.
For forwards Stallard, Twarynski and Stukel, this was the first time being bestowed with the recognition.
“It’s a pretty proud moment for our team,” said Stallard, who sits fourth in team scoring with 34 points in 42 games. “To have six guys make the list just shows the incredible depth we have on this team.
“Personally, this has always been a goal of mine. Rankings are rankings, and anything can happen, but it’s still nice to know that you’re being looked at and being considered. It’s only going to make me work harder and step up my game in the second half of the season.”
A Calgary native who grew up honing his craft with the Bow Valley and Blackfoot minor hockey associations, Twarynski has enjoyed a stellar sophomore season by already either setting or matching career highs in goals (10), assists (16) and points (26).
“It’s not the draft, but it’s certainly a confidence booster,” said Twarynski, who has proven naysayers wrong since going undrafted at the WHL Bantam Draft. “I haven’t been ranked too high my whole life in hockey, so I’ve never worried too much about this stuff, but when my dad called to tell me the news this morning it was definitely a proud moment.
“Knowing there are more guys from our team being considered than any other in the league is something we can take a lot of pride in, but we still have to go out and prove that we’re worthy of it,” he added.
A once highly sought after bantam prospect, Stukel’s WHL tenure got off to a precarious start when he missed the entire 2013-14 campaign after suffering a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while playing football in the off-season. He was then limited to 49 games during his sophomore campaign due to a broken thumb.
With health concerns in the rearviewmirror, however, the swift-skating winger has more than found his game since arriving in Calgary via trade with the Vancouver Giants in late October, leading the Hitmen with 24 goals and the entire WHL with 12 power play markers.
“It’s a great honour and something that I hope someday comes true,” said Stukel, on the possibility of being drafted. “But as much as it should give us confidence down the stretch and into the playoffs, it’s not something we can focus on too much or we’ll become overwhelmed by it. But, saying that, this team is looking pretty good for the next couple of years.”
The 2016 NHL Entry Draft takes place June 24 and 25 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo.
