Calgary Hitmen

Hockey team | CAN_eng = 1|
team = Calgary Hitmen

city = Calgary, Alberta
league = Western Hockey League
conference = Eastern
division = Central
founded = 1995
arena = Pengrowth Saddledome
colours = Black, silver & copper
coach = Dave Lowry
GM = Kelly Kisio
|The Calgary Hitmen are a Major Junior ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Hitmen play in the Western Hockey League (WHL). They play their home games at the Pengrowth Saddledome. Their name is derived from local-born professional wrestler Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a founding patron. Established in 1994, the team has been owned by the Calgary Flames hockey club since 1997. They are the third WHL team to represent Calgary, preceded by the Centennials and Wranglers.

The Hitmen have twice finished with the best record in the WHL, and have qualified for the playoffs every season since 1998. In 1999, they became the first Calgary team to win the President's Cup as league champions, and the first to represent Calgary in the Memorial Cup since the Calgary Canadians won the national junior title in 1926. The Hitmen hold numerous WHL attendance records, and in 2004–05 became the first team in the Canadian Hockey League to average 10,000 fans per game. Twenty-one former Hitmen players have gone on to play in the National Hockey League.

History

Graham James left his position as coach and general manager of the Swift Current Broncos to found the Hitmen in 1994. [cite news |first=Larry |last=Tucker |title=Ice dreams |work=Calgary Sun |date=1995-10-24] James organized a group of eighteen investors in the club, including star National Hockey League players Theoren Fleury and Joe Sakic along with Bret Hart, famous for his exploits in the World Wrestling Federation.cite news |first=Mike |last=Board |title=Flames take a shot at owning Hitmen |work=Calgary Herald |page=E1-E2 |date=1997-06-14] The Calgary Flames, who had just assumed control of the Olympic Saddledome (now Pengrowth Saddledome) and were looking to fill extra dates in the building, were receptive to the new team.cite news |first=Larry |last=Tucker |title=Method to this madness |page=62 |work=Calgary Sun |date=1994-06-24]

Calgary had been without a WHL team since 1987, when the Calgary Wranglers moved south to become the Lethbridge Hurricanes. [cite news |first=Eric |last=Francis |title=Hitmen home run |work=Calgary Sun |date=1995-10-07] The league's expansion into Calgary was met with skepticism, as the league had previously avoided Western Canada's largest markets of Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg, because all previous teams there repeatedly failed in each market against the NHL.

Controversial beginnings

The club selected its name and logo as an homage to local wrestler and patron Bret "The Hitman" Hart. The team's distinctive pink, grey and black jerseys were also modeled after Hart's ring attire. [cite news |first=Eric |last=Francis |title=It's the Hitmen! |work=Calgary Sun |page = 41 |date=1994-11-30] The logo proved immensely popular and Hitmen merchandise sold well at many local retailers. [cite news |first=Eric |last=Francis |title=Fans can't get enough of Hitmen |work=Calgary Sun |page=37 |date=1995-01-11] However, the name and logo were subject to heavy criticism from segments of the public and the business community, who panned both as negative stereotypes of violence within the sport. [cite news |first=George |last=Johnson |title=Hitmen under fire |work=Calgary Sun |page=40 |date=1994-12-13] Among the chief critics of the new logo was the Flames organization, who argued that they had received calls from concerned business people, who agreed the name and logo brought up connotations of violence. [cite news |first=Larry |last=Tucker |title='Hit' put on Hitmen |work=Calgary Sun |page=S3 |date=1995-01-14] Struggling to attract corporate sponsors, the Hitmen chose to scrap the "Jason Voorhees"-style logo in favour of an alternate "starburst" logo just two months after it was unveiled. [cite news |first=Eric |last=Francis |title=Hitmen logo nixed |work=Calgary Sun |page=51 |date=1995-01-16] The club brought the original logo back in 1996. [cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070510232710/http://www.brethart.com/column/april30-2004.asp |title=Bret Hart's "Calgary Sun" column for April 30, 2004 |author = Hart, Bret |accessdate=2008-04-13 |date=2004-04-30 |work=Calgary Sun" (via brethart.com)]

The Hitmen entered their first season playing in the newly-formed Central Division, and were predicted to finish as high as third in the five-team division. [cite news |first=Eric |last=Francis |title=And they're off… |work=Calgary Sun |page = 61 |date=1995-10-07] Instead, they finished with the second-worst record in the league with an 18–51–3 record (18 wins, 51 losses and three ties). [cite book |editor=Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |pages=158] The Hitmen lost CAD$250,000 in their first season and saw their season ticket base halved to 700 for the 1996–97 season. The losses lead to questions about the viability of the club. [cite news |first=Tom |last=Keyser |title=Growing pains |work=Calgary Herald |page=D3 |date=1996-09-21]

Citing personal reasons, James resigned as coach and general manager on September 5, 1996, stunning the organization. [cite news |first=Eric |last=Francis |title=Shocking departure |work=Calgary Sun |page=S6 |date=1996-09-07] [cite news |author1=Wildon, Suzanne |author2=Francis, eric |title=City police investigating former coach |work=Calgary Sun |page=4 |date=1996-09-07] Two days later, the Calgary Police Service revealed that James was being investigated on allegations he sexually abused two former players while he was with the Swift Current Broncos. [cite news |author=Wilton, Suzanne and Francis, Eric |title=City police investigating former coach |work=Calgary Sun |page=4 |date=1996-09-07] James was eventually charged, and in January 1997, James plead guilty to two counts of sexual assault. [cite news |title= Ex-Coach Pleads Guilty |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E3D61439F937A35752C0A961958260 |work=The New York Times |date=1997-01-04 |accessdate=2008-03-21] Upon James' conviction, and sentencing to 3 1/2 years in prison, the Hitmen attempted to distance themselves from their former coach. [cite news |first=James |last=Deacon |title=Hockey Coach Guilty of Sexual Assault |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM0011058 |work=Macleans Magazine"(via The Canadian Encyclopedia) |date=1997-01-13|accessdate=2008-03-21]

The Hitmen struggled on the ice as well, again missing the playoffs after falling to a record of 15–53–4.cite book |editor=Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |pages=40–41] The spectre of the Graham James scandal hurt the franchise. The original investors, many of whom played for or were otherwise associated with James, sold the team to the Flames for approximately $1.5 million in June 1997. [cite news |first=Mark |last=Miller |title=Hitmen finally go up in Flames |work=Calgary Sun |page=S5 |date=1997-06-14] It was widely speculated that the new owners would change the team name, possibly to the "Junior Flames". The Hitmen name was nevertheless retained by the club with a new colour scheme and updated logo.

WHL championship

Dean Clark took over the club early the previous season as head coach, and led the 1997–98 Hitmen to a remarkable turnaround. The team improved to a 40–28–4 record and first place in the Central Division, and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. In the playoffs, the Hitmen defeated the Saskatoon Blades and Swift Current Broncos to reach the Eastern Conference final before falling to the Brandon Wheat Kings. [cite book |editor=Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |pages=156] Clark was awarded the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as WHL Coach of the Year as well as the Canadian Hockey League's Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award. [cite web |url=http://www.whl.ca/records/?id=57 |title=WHL Coach of the Year - Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy |accessdate=2008-03-21 |publisher=Western Hockey League] Calgary improved to 51–13–8 in 1998–99, finishing one point ahead of the Kamloops Blazers for the regular season title.cite book |editor=Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |pages=155] Led by Brad Moran, Pavel Brendl and goaltender Alexandre Fomitchev, the Hitmen lost just five games in the playoffs en route to their first President's Cup, at home, before a WHL playoff record crowd of 17,139. [cite web |url=http://www.whl.ca/records/?id=43 |title=WHL team playoff records |accessdate=2008-03-21 |publisher=Western Hockey League] The Hitmen became the first Calgary-based team to qualify for the Memorial Cup since the Calgary Canadians in 1926. [cite news |first=Randy |last=Sportak |title=Memorial Drive |work=Calgary Sun |page=S2 |date=1999-05-08]

In the 1999 Memorial Cup, the Hitmen opened their tournament with a 5–3 victory over the Ontario Hockey League's Belleville Bulls, followed by a 4–3 loss to the host Ottawa 67's. [cite web |url=http://www.canoe.ca/CHLMemorialCup99/may19_notes.html |title=Memorial Cup notes – May 19, 1999 |accessdate=2008-03-21 |date = 1999-05-19 |publisher=Canadian Hockey League] The Hitmen followed with a 3–1 victory over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. [cite news |first=Randy |last=Sportak |title=Pavel show! |work=Calgary Sun |page=H3 |date=1999-05-20] The Hitmen finished atop the round robin standings, earning a bye into the championship game, and a rematch against the 67's. [cite news |first=Randy |last=Sportak |title=Chance of a lifetime |work=Calgary Sun |page=H3 |date=1999-05-23] The championship game was a back-and-forth affair. Ottawa held 4–1 and 6–5 leads, while Calgary led 5–4 at one point and tied the game late to send it to overtime.cite news |first=Randy |last=Sportak |title='I'm in shock' |work=Calgary Sun |page=S2 |date=1999-05-24] The Hitmen fell short of winning the title however, as Ottawa's Matt Zultek won the game 1:58 into overtime. [cite news |first=Jim |last=Taylor |title=Sting won't last |work=Calgary Sun |page=S3 |date=1999-05-24] Brendl and Matt Kinch were named to the Memorial Cup All-Star team. [cite news |first=Randy |last=Sportak |title=Losing hardest hit of all |work=Calgary Sun |page=S3 |date=1999-05-24]

The Hitmen entered the 1999–00 season with a strong squad, expected to make another run at a Memorial Cup. The club finished the regular season with a record of 58–12–2–2, once again winning the regular season title.cite book |editor=Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |pages=154] The team set franchise records for victories (58) and points (120) which still stand today. After sweeping the Moose Jaw Warriors and Saskatoon Blades, the Hitmen were upset by the Kootenay Ice in the Eastern Conference final, falling four games to one.

Recent years

Entering a rebuilding period, the Hitmen finished third or fourth in the Central Division between 2001 and 2004, winning only one playoff series during that time. [cite book |editor=Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |pages=150–153] The Hitmen acquired goaltender Justin Pogge from the Prince George Cougars during the 2004–05 season. [cite press release |url=http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000000229 |title=Hitmen acquire goaltender Pogge in big trade with Cougars |accessdate=2008-04-17 |date=2005-01-10 |publisher=Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club] Pogge's goaltending, along with the offensive leadership of forward Andrew Ladd, [cite press release |url=http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000000239 |title=Ladd named player of the week |accessdate=2008-04-17 |date=2005-04-05 |publisher=Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club] saw the Hitmen win their first playoff series in four years. They could not follow up on their victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes, however, losing their second round series against the Brandon Wheat Kings in seven games.cite book |editor=Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |pages=149]

The Hitmen were heavily marketed by the Flames during the 2004–05 NHL lockout. As a result, the Hitmen averaged 10,062 fans per game and set a new WHL attendance record. The season total of 362,227 fans smashed the old record by over 45,000. [cite web |url=http://www.whl.ca/records/?id=42 |title=WHL season records |accessdate=2008-04-10 |publisher=Western Hockey League] The Hitmen became the first CHL team to average over 10,000 fans per game, and had the highest average attendance of any junior or professional team in North America that year. [cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/Junior/2005/03/19/966358-sun.html |title=Kisio on the hot seat |accessdate=2008-04-08 |author=Francis, Eric |date=2005-03-19 |work=Calgary Sun]

The 2005–06 Hitmen battled the Medicine Hat Tigers for the top spot in the WHL for much of the season. [cite web |url=http://www.canoe.ca/WHLNews0506/0119.html |title=WHL This Week - News Edition (Issue #16) |author=Watts, Jesse |accessdate=2008-04-10 |date=2006-01-19 |publisher=Western Hockey League] Calgary finished with 101 points, their best total since 1999–00, but finished two points behind Medicine Hat for the best record in the league.cite book |editor=Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |pages=148] However, both teams fell to Moose Jaw in the playoffs. The Warriors defeated the Hitmen in the Eastern Conference semi-final before eliminating the Tigers in the next round. Pogge was named both WHL Player of the Year and CHL Goaltender of the Year.cite book |editor=Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |pages=189–193]

The Hitmen fell to third in the Central division in 2006–07. In the playoffs they upset the Kootenay Ice, who finished 19-points ahead of Calgary in the regular season. The Hitmen then defeated the East Division champion Brandon Wheat Kings to reach the Eastern Conference final for the fourth time in franchise history, where they fell to the Tigers.cite book |editor=Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |pages=133]

The Hitmen entered the 2007–08 season expected to be strong contenders, voted the pre-season pick to finish atop the Eastern Conference by the league's coaches and general managers. [cite web |url=http://whl.ca/news/?id=7471 |title=2007–08 WHL Eastern Conference Preview |accessdate=2008-04-13 |date=2007-09-20 |publisher=Western Hockey League] The team lived up to expectations, winning the Central Division, and finishing with the best record in the East for the first time since 2000. [cite web |url=http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000001365 |title=Hitmen shutout clinches first pennants since 2000 |author=Down, John |accessdate=2008-04-10 |date=2008-03-16 |publisher=Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club] During a late season game, Calgary broke the WHL single-game attendance record, as an announced crowd of 19,305 attended a 6–1 victory over the Kootenay Ice. [cite web |url=http://whl.ca/news/index.php?id=9074&showToc=1& |title=Calgary Hitmen set new WHL Attendance Record |accessdate=2008-04-10 |date=2008-03-17 |publisher=Western Hockey League] In the playoffs, the Hitmen defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors and Swift Current Broncos in six games each to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season. [cite web |url=http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000001429 |title= Hitmen double Broncos 8-4 to advance to Eastern Conference finals |accessdate=2008-04-13 |date=2008-04-12 |publisher=Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club]

Community impact

The Hitmen are active within the community, supporting numerous programs and charities. They host an annual teddy bear toss game each December. The 13th annual "Petro Canada Teddy Bear Toss", held December 2, 2007, saw what the Hitmen claim to be a world record 26,919 bears tossed on to the ice by 17,341 fans. [cite web |url=http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000001213 |title=Hitmen set World Record in Sunday's 6-2 win at the Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss |accessdate=2008-02-25 |date=2007-12-02 |publisher=Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club] The bears are donated to charities throughout the Calgary area. The players personally deliver some to the Alberta Children's Hospital, an event highly anticipated by the patients at the hospital. [cite web |url=http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000001214 |title=Calgary Hitmen spread Christmas Cheer with hospital visit |author=Curle, Brad |accessdate=2008-02-25 |date=2007-12-03 |publisher=Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club]

The Hitmen are also partners with the Calgary Board of Education and their "Read On! Literacy for Life" program. Author Sigmund Brouwer has released numerous young adult oriented mystery novels that centre around the team and fictitious Hitmen players.cite web |url=http://www.cbe.ab.ca/new/hitmen08.asp |title=Calgary Hitmen player and Hall of Famer score points for literacy with CBE students |accessdate=2008-02-25 |date=2008-02-20 |publisher=Calgary Board of Education] The eighth such book, "Hitmen Triumph", was published in 2007. [cite book |title=Hitmen Triumph |last=Brouwer |first=Sigmund |year=2007 |publisher=Orca Book Publishers |isbn=978–1551438733] Copies of the books are distributed to grade six students throughout Calgary and southern Alberta schools, with Hitmen and former National Hockey League players helping to encourage students to take an active interest in reading.

eason-by-season record

"Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against"

Club records

;Season"Individual"
*Most goals, 73, Pavel Brendl, 1998–99
*Most assists, 72, Brad Moran, 1999–00
*Most points, 134, Pavel Brendl, 1998–99
*Most penalty minutes: 302, Ryan Andres, 1997–98
*Best goals against average, 1.72, Justin Pogge, 2005–06
*Most shutouts, 11, Justin Pogge, 2005–06
*Most games played, goaltender: 60, Alexandre Fomitchev, 1997–98
*Most saves, goaltender: 1,481, Alexandre Fomitchev, 1997–98

"Team"
*Most wins: 58, 1999–00
*Most points: 120, 1999–00
*Most goals for: 319, 1998–99
*Fewest goals against: 155, 2005–06

;Career
*Most goals: 204, Brad Moran, 1995–00
*Most assists: 246, Brad Moran, 1995–00
*Most points: 450, Brad Moran, 1995–00
*Most penalty minutes: 704, Mike Egener, 2000–04
*Most games played, individual: 357, Brad Moran, 1995–2000
*Best goals against average: 1.92, Justin Pogge, 2004–06
*Most shutouts: 13, Justin Pogge, 2004–06
*Most games played, goaltender: 141, Dan Spence, 2004–present
*Most saves, goaltender: 3,117, Dan Spence, 2004–present

Awards and honours

The Calgary Hitmen have captured numerous awards during the franchise's history. Hitmen players have been named the WHL's most outstanding player twice in the past three seasons. Defenceman Karl Alzner won the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy in 2007–08 along with being named the defenceman of the year, [cite web |last=Spencer |first=Donna |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/Junior/2008/04/30/5432456-cp.html |title=Karl Alzner named WHL player of year |accessdate=2008-05-13 |publisher=SLAM sports] while goaltender Justin Pogge was named player and goaltender of the year in 2005–06. [cite web |url=http://whl.ca/news/index.php?id=4391&showToc=1& |title=WHL Announces 2005–06 Award Winners |accessdate=2008-04-13 |date=2006-05-03 |publisher=Western Hockey League] Pogge was also named the top goaltender in the nation by the Canadian Hockey League. As a team, the Hitmen have won the Eastern Division four times, and have twice been the regular season champion of the WHL.

President's Cup
"Western Hockey League champion"
*1998–99

Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy
"Regular season champion"
*1998–99, 1999–00

Central Division titles
*1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2007–08

Four Broncos Memorial Trophy
"Player of the year"
*Brad Moran: 1999–00
*Justin Pogge: 2005–06
*Karl Alzner: 2007–08

Bob Clarke Trophy
"Top scorer"
*Pavel Brendl: 1998–99
*Brad Moran: 1999–00

Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy
"Scholastic player of the year"
*Chris Nielsen: 1998–99, 1999–00 Brad Hornung Trophy
"Most sportsmanlike player"
*Matt Kinch: 1998–99, 2000–01

Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
"Defenceman of the year"
*Brad Stuart: 1998–99
*Karl Alzner: 2007–08

CHL Defenceman of the Year
*Brad Stuart: 1998–99
*Karl Alzner: 2007–08

Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy
"Rookie of the year"
*Pavel Brendl: 1998–99

CHL Top Draft Prospect Award
*Pavel Brendl: 1998–99

Del Wilson Trophy
"Goaltender of the year"
*Justin Pogge: 2005–06

CHL Goaltender of the Year
*Justin Pogge: 2005–06

Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy
"Coach of the year"
*Dean Clark: 1997–98

Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award
"CHL coach of the year"
*Dean Clark: 1997–98

Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy
"Executive of the year"
*Kelly Kisio: 2003–04

Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy
"Humanitarian of the year"
*Chris Nielsen: 1999–00

WHL Playoff MVP
*Brad Moran: 1999

WHL Plus-Minus Award
"Top plus-minus"
*Pavel Brendl: 1998–99
*Kenton Smith: 1999–00
*Andrew Ladd: 2003–04

St. Clair Group Trophy
"Top marketing/public relations department"
*Mark Stiles: 2003–04
*Kip Reghenas: 2007–08

ee also

* List of ice hockey teams in Alberta
* Ice hockey in Calgary

References

*Standings and team records – cite book |editor=Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |pages=40–41
*Roster – cite web |url=http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/roster.cgi |title=Players |accessdate=2008-04-13 |publisher=Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club

External links

* [http://www.hitmenhockey.com/home.html Calgary Hitmen]