Calgary Hitmen's New-Look Roster Embraces Belief as WHL Playoffs Approach
For the young and revamped Calgary Hitmen, the playoffs are no longer a distant dream but an imminent reality. With the Western Hockey League championship fast approaching, the team is just days away from hitting the ice in pursuit of glory, showcasing a remarkable turnaround under first-year head coach Dustin Friesen.
Playoff Momentum Builds
The Hitmen are on the cusp of securing home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs, needing only one more win to lock it in. This would mark a significant step in their quest for the Ed Chynoweth Cup, a trophy the team hasn't lifted since 2010. Currently, the Hitmen hold fourth place in the WHL's Eastern Conference standings with a record of 37-19-8-1, five points ahead of the fifth-place Brandon Wheat Kings, who are likely to be their first-round opponents.
Goaltender Eric Tu expressed the team's confidence, stating, "We're all very excited. I think we have all the belief in the world in that room, and that's all that matters. We believe in ourselves, and we think that we can definitely make some noise." That noise is set to begin next week, with specific dates and times for the opening round yet to be announced.
Coaching and Team Chemistry
Head coach Dustin Friesen praised the team's adaptability and commitment, noting the challenges of integrating new players. "I think you give the guys credit," Friesen said. "It's a lot of new guys in the league and a lot of new guys to the Hitmen organization. But they've bought in towards what we thought we had to do as a team to be successful. That's everyone coming in and doing their job."
This season has seen massive changes for the Hitmen, with only six players returning from last year's roster. Over a dozen moves were made throughout the campaign, yet chemistry developed quickly. Friesen attributes this to the team's depth and collective effort, which has propelled them into a secure playoff position rather than leaving them scrambling or out of contention.
Final Regular Season Push
As the regular season winds down, the Hitmen have three games left to fine-tune their strategy. They face a rematch against the third-place Edmonton Oil Kings on Wednesday, following a 3-1 victory over them on Sunday. Additional preparation comes on Saturday against the Lethbridge Hurricanes at Scotiabank Saddledome and concludes with a game against the Oil Kings again on Sunday.
Despite the roster overhaul and new coaching staff, the Hitmen have demonstrated resilience and unity. Their success this season, regardless of playoff outcomes, highlights a successful campaign built on belief and hard work. With the playoffs looming, the team is focused on making a deep run and potentially ending their championship drought.
