Candice Ward/Calgary Hitmen

2019-20 WHL Season Previews: Calgary Hitmen

Last season

The Calgary Hitmen finished the 2018-19 regular season with a 36-26-6 record, which was good for third in the competitive Central Division. After early-season struggles, the Hitmen were stuck in the cellar of the division. It was after Calgary’s US Division road trip that the club’s confidence and momentum seemed to surge, thus bringing out the obvious playoff-caliber hockey team. Heading into the Christmas break, the Hitmen were recognized as one of the hottest teams in the WHL and even the entire CHL. Early-season acquisition James Malm added grit, speed, and experience in a one-for-one deal with the Vancouver Giants and was a vital part of the team’s drastic turnaround.

Losses

The Hitmen carried this momentum into the postseason, where they were put to the test against the skilled Lethbridge Hurricanes. The Hitmen battled it out against the Hurricanes, who were led by Jordy Bellerive, Dylan Cozens, and Calen Addison, among others. After a long but exciting seven games, the Hitmen were able to advance to the second round. From this point, they were abruptly swept by their bitter rivals, the Edmonton Oil Kings. Surely, with the conclusion of the 2018/19 season in mind, the Hitmen home opener against Edmonton will be a barnburner. 

Calgary will be faced with four relatively significant losses to their top nine. First of all, Kaden Elder, Jake Kryski, and Luke Coleman have all aged out of the Western Hockey League and will be moving on. Kryski has committed to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds after recording 46 points in an injury-riddled season where he only suited up for 41 games. Elder and Coleman have yet to announce whether hockey will be a part of their future; however, both will be considerable losses, as Elder had a 26-goal and 59-point season, while Coleman racked up 20 goals and 44 points.

Additions

Jett Woo (photo: Gerry Kehrman)

Along with these losses, the Hitmen lineup is not without several exciting new faces. For starters, Jett Woo was possibly the largest name when it came to offseason trades and is expected to be a dual-threat on the Hitmen defensive corps. Going the other way were speedy winger Ryder Korczak, 20-year-old defenseman Vladislav Yeryomenko, and the 11th overall selection in this past draft. The Hitmen now bolster their top-six defense and certainly enter the WHL’s Chynoweth Cup contender tier. The Hitmen will also fill the top-nine winger void left by Korczak with a fresh new 16-year-old in Sean Tschigerl. The native of Whitecourt, Alberta, suited up for eight games last season, recording one goal with a plus/minus of negative three. Tschigerl demonstrated that he not only has a strong offensive mindset but also was a standout defensively and positionally. These defensive assets can potentially make him an extremely valuable penalty killer and bottom-six forward, as well as an exciting underage to watch develop.

Three Storylines for the season

Jack McNaughton and Mark Kastelic (photo: Sam Phelps)

1. A very impressive and intriguing feature regarding the Hitmen lineup is the tremendous amount of experience and, more importantly, leadership. The leadership begins with second-year captain and 2019 fifth-round draft selection Mark Kastelic. Kastelic is coming off a career year and 47-goal season, which was good for third in the WHL. Aside from that, Dakota Krebs, Riley Stotts, James Malm, Jett Woo, Carson Focht, and Egor Zamula are not only expected to lead off the ice but also through on-ice performance as all are coming off career seasons. Everyone aside from Krebs and Malm is protected by an NHL club. 

2. Special Teams is also a strength that the club will look to maintain as they had the second-best power play in the league while killing 80.5 percent of penalties which was eighth-best. With the explosive top nine the Hitmen have upfront and the offensively-gifted defensive corps, the team certainly has options and alternatives if — and inevitably when — injury or other obstacles come about. Overall, these factors may very well come to be make-or-break scenarios late in the postseason.

3. Lastly, another vital piece to the success of the Hitmen will be their goaltending. Last season, Calgary saw Jack McNaughton and Carl Stankowski battle early for a starting position until McNaughton suddenly ran away with the definitive starter role. Although the youthfulness of the netminding could be a minor concern, there is certainly a chance that if McNaughton catches fire he could be a legitimate starter. However, the idea of deadline deals involving more experience in the crease is often a consideration for contending teams.

Regular season action begins on September 21st against the Swift Current Broncos at the Credit Union Complex in Swift Current. The home opener will be played on the 27th of September against the Edmonton Oil Kings and will undoubtedly be a heated affair.