Daily Dose of the Dub: Hitmen clinch postseason spot; Voice of the Tigers inducted to AHHF

Hitmen clinch

https://twitter.com/WHLHitmen/status/1103722059572494336?s=20

The Calgary Hitmen (36-22-5-1) are heading back to the playoffs after missing out last season for the first time in six seasons. The Hitmen currently sit in third in the Central Division, sitting four points behind Edmonton and Lethbridge who are tied for first place. Since coming into the league for the 1995/96 season, they have not qualified for the playoffs just four times (1996, 1997, 2011, 2018).

Tigers legend honoured

The longtime voice of the Medicine Hat Tigers has been named to the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame. Bob Ridley has been the voice of the Tigers since day one, calling over 3900 games in the meantime, as well as being the team bus driver for over 40 years. He will be inducted along with the 87/88 and 88/89 Medicine Hat Tigers, who Ridley was the voice of, that won back-to-back Memorial Cup Championships. Other 2019 inductees include Theo Fleury, Kevin Lowe, Shirley Cameron, and Duncan MacDougall.

Hitmen recall top prospect

The Calgary Hitmen have recalled prospect Sean Tschigerl from OHA Edmonton Prep. The 2018 fourth overall pick has gotten into six WHL games this season, going pointless. The 15-year-old has 47 points (21G, 26A) in 28 games with OHA of the CSSHL and recently represented Alberta at the Canada Winter Games, collecting three points in six games and earning a bronze medal.

Warriors GM added to PoE

Moose Jaw Warriors General Manager Alan Millar has been named to Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence’s management group for the second consecutive season. Millar will ‘advise and ‘support’ Canadian hopefuls in the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2020 IIHF U18 World Championships and previously oversaw the gold medal winning Canadian team at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He has been the Warriors GM since 2012, with four playoff appearances.

CSSHL hands out awards to WHL prospects

Almost a lock to be the first overall pick in this upcoming bantam draft, Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep forward Matthew Savoie was named the CCSHL Midget Prep Division MVP after putting up 71 points (31G, 40A) in just 31 games this season. He also represented Alberta at the Canada Winter Games as an underager had 13 points (6G, 7A) in six games.

Edge School Prep goaltender Parker Sawka was named the Top Goaltender of the Midget Prep Division after posting a 15-3-1 record with a 1.51 GAA, a .939 save percentage and four shutouts. Sawka is a Portland Winterhawks prospect. They recently placed the netminder on their protected list.

Kootenay ICE prospect Carson Lambos was named the Midget Prep Division Top Defenceman after recording 30 points (14G, 16A) in 23 games with Rink Hockey Academy Prep. He has appeared in six WHL games, scoring his first career goal.

2018 first overall pick Dylan Guenther was named the Top Freshman of the Midget Prep Division with a 58 point season (32G, 26A) in 28 games with the Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep. He has played in eight games with the Edmonton Oil Kings this season, scoring three goals and adding an assist.

Regina Pats prospect Cale Sanders was named Most Sportsmanlike of the Midget Prep Division after having just four penalty minutes in 35 games to go with 35 points (16G, 19A). He has appeared in three WHL games with the Pats, going pointless.