2010 Calgary Hitmen Playoff Video

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Hitmen Nyren in Flames prospect camp

Calgary Hitmen defenceman Giffen Nyren does not belong to any National Hockey League team; not yet at least.

After being invited to the Minnesota Wild camp last summer, he finds himself in a familiar place in the summer of 2010; on Saddledome ice. The only difference is that he is wearing the flaming ‘C’ on his chest and not the menacing emblem of the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen.

Nyren clearly turned some heads in Calgary during the Hitmen playoff run as he was granted the invite by the Flames soon after the WHL Champions returned home from the Memorial Cup.

He became one of the Hitmen’s most dangerous weapons from the blue line as he potted 5 goals and added 13 assists during Championship run. He was also a plus 15 during the post-season; 2nd in the league only to Captain Michael Stone.

At 6’1” and 195 lbs, Nyren plays a similar game to that of another fellow Calgarian; Norris Trophy nominee Mike Green. Nyren loves to lead the rush and create plays with his feet, much like Green does with the Washington Capitals. Nyren loves to have the puck on his stick during the power play, much like Green who quarterbacks one of the most lethal units in NHL.

So if Nyren is so good, then why did he get passed up in two straight NHL entry drafts?

Well, when Nyren broke into the junior ranks with the Moose Jaw Warriors, the Warrior brass thought it wise to try Nyren out as a forward, and then moved him back to defence, then back to forward, and around and around the carousel went.

Nyren never had a chance to plant his roots in one position, which presumably stunted his growth as a player. This past year when he was given the increase in ice time by the Hitmen coaching staff, he proved that he can be a very effective offensive defenceman, and quite often a game-changer.

He was awarded the WHL Boston Pizza Player of the Week during the final week of the playoffs when the Hitmen beat the Tri-City Americans 4 games to 1 to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup; proving to be a key cog in the Championship victory.

He has been knocked in the past by some for having some defensive deficiencies and making the odd blunder; well his plus/minus rating in the playoffs might help silence some of those critics.

In the end, the Flames may have just found a diamond in the rough in their own backyard. Look for Giffen Nyren on the ice this week wearing the number 40 jersey.

twitter.com/NewmansFlames

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Hitmen players prepare for next step

A slew of players from the 2009-10 Calgary Hitmen are going through various stages of NHL prospect camps during the month of July. Despite the heat outside, these young hopefuls are putting their skill on display for scouting and coaching staffs across the league.

Jimmy Bubnick (Atlanta), Joel Broda and Kris Foucault (Minnesota), Martin Jones and Brandon Kozun (Los Angeles), Ian Schultz (Montreal), Tyler Shattock and Cody Beach (St. Louis), Michael Stone (Phoenix), Giffen Nyren (Calgary) and Matt MacKenzie (Buffalo) are all on the ice at NHL prospect camps.

This is an impressive list of players from a single junior team to be competing for NHL jobs. This speaks to the amazing depth of the Calgary Hitmen and the great job that has been done by Kelly Kisio and his staff. With this many players either drafted or signed by NHL teams, it does not surprise anyone that the Hitmen were one of the top teams in the country this past season.

Although none of these players look like locks to make their pro clubs this fall, certain players have shown that they have the ability to push their game to another level, as was evident in the spring playoff run.

2009-10 Hitmen Co-Captains Michael Stone and Ian Schultz both have decent shots at making their respective NHL clubs in the fall. Schultz, who was traded alongside prospect Lars Eller in mid-June from the St. Louis Blues to the Canadiens for playoff hero Jaroslav Halak, was one the best penalty killers this past season and showed true grit and leadership qualities in the leading the Hitmen to the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Schultz is one of those all around players that most teams dream of having. He put together a season that included 24 goals, 31 assists and 150 penalty minutes. He was leaned on time and time again by Hitmen Head Coach Mike Williamson to kill off key penalties. The Habs have never been a team known for its rough play, and he would give them that grit they may have been missing in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Stone, who was drafted in the 3rd round by the Coyotes in 2008, looks bound for the professional ranks; whether it is with Phoenix or their AHL affiliate in San Antonio. Stone was 2nd on the team in playoff scoring with 5 goals and 15 assists in 20 games. He preceded that by compiling 65 points, 21 goals and 44 assists, in the regular season.
He has the rare ability to quarterback a power play which becomes vital in a league where scoring with the man-advantage can make or break a season (just ask the Calgary Flames). With his blistering point shot, smooth skating ability, and built-in leadership qualities, it will not be long before Stone is wearing the Desert Dogs sweater permanently.

Both Stone and Schultz will most likely not be back in Calgary this fall, as both players display qualities that can make them NHL players.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Matt Mackenzie gets drafted by Sabres

Hitmen defenceman Matt Mackenzie was drafted 83rd overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

Mackenzie will likely be back on the blue line next fall for the Hitmen as he will be leaned upon much more with the departure of Co-Captain Michael Stone.


Mackenzie joins a long list of Hitmen to be drafted into the NHL.


I caught up with Mackenzie back in February. Click Here to read the article and see how what his thoughts were leading up to the draft.