The Success of the WHL's Calgary Hitmen
Junior Hockey Team Among the Top in the Western Hockey League
The city of Calgary certainly loves its Flames, routinely selling out its arena with the majority of fans sporting a team jersey. While the NHL team is the primary inhabitant of the Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgarians can enjoy another hockey team in the arena, one that enjoys just as much success.
When the “C of Red” isn’t engulfing the Saddledome, potential future NHL prospects are showcasing their skills on the ice for the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Calgary Hitmen.
Founded in 1994 and originally owned by a group of 18 private investors that included Theo Fleury, Joe Sakic and former pro wrestler Bret “The Hitman” Hart – the latter being how the team got its name – the Hitmen made their on-ice debut in 1995-96. As it usually is with expansion sports teams, the early seasons were less than stellar; the club accumulated less than 40 points in its first two years in the WHL.
Hitmen Succeed While Flames Fall
The beginning may have been tough but it didn’t take long for Calgary’s junior team to find its way. In June 1997, Calgary Flames ownership added the Hitmen to its collection. The introduction of new brass also coincided with the beginning of the rise for the WHL team. In its third year of existence in 1997-98, the Calgary Hitmen franchise skated to a second-place Central Division finish and made it all the way Eastern Conference Final, where they fell in five games.
In the five seasons that followed, the Hitmen ascended the WHL ranks and made the playoffs each year. The timing couldn’t have been more appropriate. It offered Calgary hockey fans an alternative to their NHL counterparts, who were enduring a rough stretch. After yearly postseason appearances (minus one season) ever since they arrived in the city, the Flames headed on a downward spiral that saw them miss the playoffs from 1997 through 2003.
Just four years after joining the WHL, the Hitmen enjoyed one of the best seasons in franchise history. The team topped its league-best 51-12-8-1 record by rolling through the competition in the postseason. Calgary eliminated Kootenay, Red Deer and Prince Albert before clinching their first WHL championship. That title earned the club a berth in the Memorial Cup, where they fell to the host Ottawa 67’s in the final.
Best Seasons in Hitmen Franchise History
After a few seasons in which the Hitmen made the playoffs but met early exits, the junior hockey team once again found extended success. Calgary made repeat Conference Final appearances in 2006-07 and 2007-08. The journey would end there both seasons but in 2008-09 they moved closer to a second league championship and Memorial Cup berth. The Hitmen compiled a franchise-best 59-9-3-1 record that was tops in the WHL and saw them match or eclipse an incredible 22 club records. The regular season success continued with a playoff run to the WHL Final, where the Hitmen ultimately bowed to the Kelowna Rockets.
NHL Players Who Have Played for the Calgary Hitmen
For many hockey players, the path to the NHL runs through the Canadian junior hockey leagues, and the WHL has served as a breeding ground for many. The Calgary Hitmen have seen a number of former roster members graduate to successful NHL careers.
Perhaps the most famous Hitmen alumnus is Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf. He spent four seasons in a Hitmen jersey, racking up 215 points in 233 games, with an additional 28 points in 31 playoff games.
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brad Stuart is another notable Hitmen graduate. He played just part of a season with Calgary’s junior hockey team after he was acquired from the Regina Pats. Other notables to make it to the NHL include forwards Andrew Ladd (Blackhawks), Darcy Hordichuk (Canucks), Fredrik Sjostrom (Flames), Jerred Smithson (Predators) and T.J. Galiardi (Avalanche); as well as defenseman Jeff Schultz (Capitals). Veteran forward Matt Pettinger, currently with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, also suited up for the franchise.
Some former Hitmen have yet to make the jump full-time, including blue-liners Karl Alzner (Capitals) and Johnny Boychuk (Bruins), and goaltender Justin Pogge (Ducks).
One ownership group succeeding with two franchises in the same city; it's good to be a hockey fan in Calgary.
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