With the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the off season early due to the ongoing global pandemic with COVID-19 wiping out the WHL Playoffs and Memorial Cup. Have some off season news to share both recapping what the Calgary Hitmen did at the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and going over team awards. I’ve usually mashed that in my game recap videos given the timing but things obviously have played out differently this year.
I also talk about some non-Calgary Hitmen news as Connor Bedard was granted exceptional status by the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) where was was eligible to play as a 15 year old. A year earlier than usual but a few players that we’re granted exceptional status have become a special player in the NHL. Connor Bedard was the first WHL player with exception status and was the first overall pick for the Regina Pats in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. A name to look out for in the coming years for future NHL Drafts.
https://whl.ca/article/bc-hockey-announces-exceptional-player-status-for-connor-bedard
(Originally accessed Sunday, April 26th, 2020)
Calgary Hitmen Draft Picks:
Round 1 – 12th Overall – Oliver Tulk (C)
Round 2 – 34th Overall – A.J. Lacroix (C)
Round 3 – 65th Overall – Carter Yakemchuk (RD)
(Pick acquired from Everett Silvertips)
Round 4 – 78th Overall – Dayton Arneson (LD)
Round 5 – 91st Overall – Hunter Sawka (RW)
(Pick acquired from Tri-City Americans)
Round 6 – 112th Overall – David Adaszynski (C)
(Pick acquired from Moose Jaw Warriors)
Round 6 – 121st Overall – Dax Hughes-Williams (LD)
(Pick acquired from Saskatoon Blades)
Round 6 – 131st Overall – Xander Schulte (RW)
(Pick acquired from Everett Silvertips)
Round 7 – 144th Overall – Alex Garrett (G)
Round 8 – 166th Overall – Ethan Alsip (LD)
Calgary Hitmen Team Awards:
Calgary Hitmen Booster Club Fan Favourite Award – Carson Focht
Humanitarian Award – Riley Fiddler-Schultz
Chrysler Canada Inc. Scholastic Player Award – Adam Kydd
3 Star Selection Award – Mark Kastelic
Jr. Hitmen Players’ Choice Award – Co-winners: Mark Kastelic & Dakota Krebs
Rookie of the Year – Brayden Peters
Hockey Calgary Coaches Award – Dakota Krebs
Leading Scorer Award – Co-winners: Mark Kastelic & Riley Stotts
Top Defenceman Award – Jett Woo
Player of the Year Award – Mark Kastelic
https://www.whl.ca
https://www.hitmenhockey.com
Mark Kastelic who is graduating from the Calgary Hitmen this season did sign a standard three year entry level contract with the Ottawa Senators.
https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/senators-sign-forward-mark-kastelic-to-a-three-year-entry-level-contract/c-316568672
(Originally accessed Sunday, April 26th, 2020)
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