By Scott Fisher /
Junior hockey is known for its cyclical nature.
And after three stellar seasons of 101 points, 85 points and last year’s 99-point campaign, the Hitmen will likely be facing the downward slope of the cycle this season.
They aren’t expected to hit rock bottom the way the rebuilding Red Deer Rebels did the past two seasons.
But a return trip to the Eastern Conference final is not in the cards.
The Hitmen lost their captain and all-world defenceman Karl Alzner, who will turn pro with the Washington Capitals.
Snipers Ryan White (Montreal Canadiens) and T.J. Galiardi (Colorado Avalanche) are also graduating to the pro ranks.
That leaves some major holes to fill.
First-year head coach Dave Lowry expects a competitive camp when the rookies report for duty (beginning this past Wednesday, Aug. 27).
“We’ve got a lot of room (on the roster),” Lowry told the Calgary Sun. “We’re losing some very good players and we have to fill those holes.
“This will be an opportunity for guys to push for spots.”
One of the youngsters who is expected to snap up one of approximately seven openings is rookie defenceman Austin Madaisky.
The Surrey, B.C.-product was the Hitmen’s first-round (14th overall) draft pick in the 2007 Bantam Draft but broke his wrist before last year’s rookie camp in Calgary.
“This will be the coaching staff’s first chance to see him, because he came to camp last year with a busted wrist,” Lowry said of the blueliner, who played with the Fraser Heights Firehawks AAA midget team last winter.
“Any of those guys who were here (at camp) last year will know what to expect.
“We’ll just have to see how they compete.”
Second- and third-round draft picks from 2007 Mackenzie Royer (Spruce Grove) and Cody Beach (Kelowna, B.C.) will also have an opportunity to earn their way onto the roster.
Hometown kid Peter Kosterman, this year’s first rounder (19th overall) is too young to suit up this season.
But the 6-2, 170-pound defenceman will get a chance to experience what a WHL training camp is all about.
A pair of key battles will be the focus of this year’s camp. Five overagers will compete for three spots and a number of goaltenders are fighting to stay.
Goaltender Dan Spence is in both battles.
Kyle Bortis, who led the team with 37 goals and 72 points last season, Ian Duval, Keith Seabrook and Carson McMillan are the other overagers.
“Their performance will dictate who stays,” Lowry said.
Spence, an Eastern Conference second-team all-star in 2007-08, will also tangle with backup Marty Jones as well as newcomers David Aime and Steven Komistek for the starting spot between the pipes.
“That’s going to be a great battle,” Lowry said.
“We have Marty, who wants more time in the net, and a couple of other young guys.
“It should be pretty intense from Day One.”
— Scott Fisher covers the WHL for the Calgary Sun. |
