WHL This Week: Looking Ahead…

Calgary, AB ndash; The 2009-10 Western Hockey League regular season enters its first weekend of play in March and the second-last weekend of play before the start of the WHL playoffs.nbsp; Fans can expect plenty of action as a handful of teams clamor for the final available playoff spots while others battle for key playoff positioning.nbsp;In Calgary, AB, Sunday is the Beattie Homes Hockey Mums Fight Breast Cancer Game when the Hitmen take on the visiting Saskatoon Blades.nbsp; During the game the Calgary Hitmen will wear their pink themed jerseys and use pink sticks for the warm-up and first period.nbsp; The goal is to make a significant contribution to support breast cancer research with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for this disease.nbsp;In Edmonton, AB, Saturday is Career Night when the Oil Kings host the Saskatoon Blades.nbsp; High School-aged fans can attend an open forum with executives from the Oil Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Edmonton Capitals and Junior Achievement prior to the game.nbsp;In Kamloops, B.C., the Blazers are proud to announce that long-time Billet Coordinator Doris Rubel will be Inducted into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame.nbsp; Rubel has been a junior hockey billet coordinator in Kamloops for 41 years.nbsp;In Cranbrook, B.C., Friday night is Jersey off the Back night when the Kootenay Ice host the Medicine Hat Tigers.nbsp; Fans can bid on game-worn jerseys from that nightrsquo;s game, with the winning bidders getting the opportunity to meet the players after the game.nbsp; All proceeds go to the Kootenay Ice Scholarship Fund.nbsp;In Portland, OR, the Winterhawks will honor the Inaugural Inductees to the franchisersquo;s Hall of Fame on Friday night when the Tri-City Americans come to town.nbsp; The late Brian Shaw will join Ken Hodge, Innes Mackie and Dennis Holland as the first inductees to the Hawksrsquo; Hall of Fame.nbsp; Also, on Saturday night, the Winterhawks are encouraging fans to bring canned food donations in support of a Food Drive to benefit the Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division.nbsp;In Prince George, B.C., Saturday night is Parents and Billets Night when the Cougars host the Everett Silvertips.nbsp; Parents and billets of the Cougarsrsquo; players will receive the red carpet welcome and thanks prior to the game.nbsp;nbsp;EIGHT WHL GRADUATES HELP CANADA CAPTURE OLYMPIC GOLDhellip;nbsp;The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that eight WHL alumni captured a Gold medalnbsp;at the 2010 Winter Olympic hockey tournament in Vancouver, BC as Team Canada defeated USA in the men’s hockey final.nbsp;In total 28 WHL alumni participated in the menrsquo;s hockey tournament.nbsp;For more on this story, click HEREhellip;nbsp;nbsp;HAWKSrsquo; LUCA SBISA REFLECTS ON OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE WITH SWITZERLANDhellip;nbsp;Portland, OR — Luca Sbisa allowed himself an instant to take in the moment, to take a quick look around to gather memories and experiences in his mind.Here he was, 20 years old and representing his country in the Olympics. (more…)