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.