Calgary Hitmen#Controversial beginnings

Graham James left his position as coach and general manager of the Swift Current Broncos to found the Hitmen in 1994.{{Cite news|first=Larry|last=Tucker|title=Ice dreams|work=Calgary Sun|date=1995-10-24}} He organized a group of eighteen investors in the club, including former Broncos and star National Hockey League players Theoren Fleury and Joe Sakic, along with Bret Hart, who made a career in the World Wrestling Federation.{{Cite news|first=Mike|last=Board|title=Flames take a shot at owning Hitmen|work=Calgary Herald|page=E1-E2|date=1997-06-14}} The Calgary Flames, who had just assumed control of the Saddledome and were looking to fill extra dates in the building, were receptive to the new team.{{Cite news|first=Larry|last=Tucker|title=Method to this madness|page=62|work=Calgary Sun|date=1994-06-24}} When scheduling conflicts occurred, the Hitmen used the Stampede Corral as a secondary venue—including for the first seven games in club history.{{cite web |last=Fisher |first=Scott |date=2016-03-19 |title=One last dance for the Corral? Calgary Hitmen to host Red Deer Rebels at historic arena for at least one WHL playoff game |url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/one-last-dance-for-the-corral-calgary-hitmen-to-host-red-deer-rebels-at-historic-arena-for-at-least-one-whl-playoff-game |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320172915/https://calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/one-last-dance-for-the-corral-calgary-hitmen-to-host-red-deer-rebels-at-historic-arena-for-at-least-one-whl-playoff-game |archive-date=2016-03-20 |work=Calgary Herald}}

Calgary had been without a WHL team since the Wranglers moved south to become the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 1987.{{Cite news|first=Eric|last=Francis|title=Hitmen home run|work=Calgary Sun|date=1995-10-07}} The league's expansion into Calgary was met with skepticism, as the league had historically struggled in Western Canada's largest markets of Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg, when in competition with the NHL.

The Hitmen entered their first season playing in the newly formed Central Division, and were predicted to finish as high as third in the five-team division.{{Cite news|first=Eric|last=Francis|title=And they're off…|work=Calgary Sun|page=61|date=1995-10-07}} Instead, they finished as the second-worst regular season team in the league, posting an 18–51–3 record.{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=158}} The Hitmen lost $250,000 in their first season and saw their season ticket base halved to 700 for the 1996–97 season. The losses led to questions about the viability of the club.{{Cite news|first=Tom|last=Keyser|title=Growing pains|work=Calgary Herald|page=D3|date=1996-09-21}}

James stunned the organization when he resigned as coach and general manager on {{Nowrap|September 5}}, 1996.{{Cite news|first=Eric|last=Francis|title=Shocking departure|work=Calgary Sun|page=S6|date=1996-09-07}} Two days later, the Calgary Police Service revealed that James was being investigated on allegations he sexually abused two former players while he was with the Swift Current Broncos.{{Cite news|author1=Wilton, Suzanne |author2=Francis, Eric|title=City police investigating former coach|work=Calgary Sun|page=4|date=1996-09-07}} James was charged, and in {{Nowrap|January 1997}} pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault.{{Cite news |date=1997-01-04 |title=Ex-Coach Pleads Guilty |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E3D61439F937A35752C0A961958260 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212202537/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/04/sports/ex-coach-pleads-guilty.html |archive-date=2016-02-12 |access-date=2008-03-21 |work=The New York Times}} Upon James' conviction and sentencing to prison, the Hitmen attempted to distance themselves from their former coach.{{Cite news |last=Deacon |first=James |date=1997-01-13 |title=Hockey Coach Guilty of Sexual Assault |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/hockey-coach-guilty-of-sexual-assault |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216055831/http://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/hockey-coach-guilty-of-sexual-assault/ |archive-date=2017-12-16 |access-date=2008-03-21 |work=Maclean's |format=via The Canadian Encyclopedia}}

The Hitmen struggled on the ice as well, again missing the playoffs after falling to a record of 15–53–4.{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|pages=40–41}} The spectre of the Graham James scandal hurt the franchise. The original investors, many of whom played for or were otherwise associated with James, sold the team to the Flames for approximately {{Nowrap|$1.5 million}} in {{Nowrap|June 1997}}.{{Cite news|first=Mark|last=Miller|title=Hitmen finally go up in Flames|work=Calgary Sun|page=S5|date=1997-06-14}} It was widely speculated that the new owners would change the team name, possibly to the Junior Flames; however, they ultimately chose to retain the name.

File:Hitmen v Oil Kings.jpg in the WHL's "Battle of Alberta".|alt=An official wearing black and white stripes conducts a faceoff as several players from two teams anticipate the start of play.]]

Dean Clark took over as head coach shortly after James' resignation, and led the 1997–98 Hitmen to a significant turnaround. The team improved to a 40–28–4 record and first-place finish in the Central Division, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They defeated the Saskatoon Blades and Swift Current Broncos to reach the Eastern Conference final before falling to the Brandon Wheat Kings.{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=156}} Clark was awarded the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as the WHL's top coach, and also won the Canadian Hockey League's Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award.{{Cite book|editor=Bell, Aaron|title=2009–10 OHL Media Guide|publisher=Ontario Hockey League|page=139}} Calgary improved to 51–13–8 in 1998–99, finishing one point ahead of the Kamloops Blazers for the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy for best regular season record.{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=155}} Led by Brad Moran, Pavel Brendl, and goaltender Alexandre Fomitchev, the Hitmen lost just five games in the playoffs en route to their first President's Cup. They won the title at home before a WHL playoff record crowd of 17,139. They became the first Calgary-based team to qualify for the Memorial Cup since the Calgary Canadians won the 1926 title.{{Cite news|first=Randy|last=Sportak|title=Memorial Drive|work=Calgary Sun|page=S2|date=1999-05-08}}

In the 1999 Memorial Cup, the Hitmen opened the tournament with a 5–3 victory over the Ontario Hockey League's Belleville Bulls, followed by a 4–3 loss to the host Ottawa 67's. They followed with a 3–1 win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.{{Cite news|first=Randy|last=Sportak|title=Pavel show!|work=Calgary Sun|page=H3|date=1999-05-20}} Finishing atop the round robin standings, the Hitmen earned a bye into the championship game, a rematch against the 67's.{{Cite news|first=Randy|last=Sportak|title=Chance of a lifetime|work=Calgary Sun|page=H3|date=1999-05-23}} The final was a back-and-forth affair with Ottawa holding 4–1 and 6–5 leads; Calgary tied the game late to send it to overtime.{{Cite news|first=Randy|last=Sportak|title='I'm in shock'|work=Calgary Sun|page=S2|date=1999-05-24}} Ottawa's Matt Zultek scored the winning goal 1:58 into overtime to give the 67's the championship.{{Cite news|first=Jim|last=Taylor|title=Sting won't last|work=Calgary Sun|page=S3|date=1999-05-24}} Brendl and Matt Kinch were named to the Memorial Cup All-Star team.{{Cite news|first=Randy|last=Sportak|title=Losing hardest hit of all|work=Calgary Sun|page=S3|date=1999-05-24}}

The Hitmen entered the 1999–2000 season with expectations of making another Memorial Cup run. The club finished the regular season with a record of 58–12–2–2, once again winning the regular season title.{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=154}} The team set franchise records for victories (58) and points (120), which stood until the 2008–09 year. After sweeping the Moose Jaw Warriors and Saskatoon Blades, the Hitmen were upset by the Kootenay Ice in the Eastern Conference final, falling four games to one.

File:Farleythefox.JPG

The Hitmen went through a rebuilding period and finished third or fourth in the Central Division between 2001 and 2004, winning only one playoff series during that time.{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|pages=150–153}} The Hitmen acquired goaltender Justin Pogge from the Prince George Cougars during the 2004–05 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=21348 |title=Justin Pogge profile |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=2010-12-31}} Pogge's goaltending, along with the offensive leadership of forward Andrew Ladd, saw the Hitmen win their first playoff series in four years. They could not follow up on their victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes, losing their second round series against the Brandon Wheat Kings in seven games.{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=149}}

The Hitmen were heavily marketed by the Flames during the NHL's 2004–05 lock-out. As a result, the Hitmen averaged 10,062 fans per game and set a new league attendance record. The season total of 362,227 fans easily beat the old record by over 45,000.{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2009–10 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=228}} The Hitmen became the first Canadian Hockey League team to average over 10,000 fans per game, having the highest average attendance of any hockey team—junior or professional—in North America that year.{{cite web |author=Francis |first=Eric |date=2005-03-19 |title=Kisio on the hot seat |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/Junior/2005/03/19/966358-sun.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717152252/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/Junior/2005/03/19/966358-sun.html |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=2008-04-08 |work=Calgary Sun}}

The 2005–06 Hitmen battled the Medicine Hat Tigers for the top spot in the Western Hockey League for most of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/WHLNews0506/0119.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801232908/http://www.canoe.ca/WHLNews0506/0119.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 1, 2012|title=WHL This Week – News Edition (Issue #16)|author=Watts, Jesse|access-date=2008-04-10|date=2006-01-19|publisher=Western Hockey League}} Calgary finished with 101 points, their best total since 1999–2000, finishing two points behind Medicine Hat for the best record in the league.{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=148}} The team disappointed in the playoffs, falling to the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Eastern Conference semi-final. Pogge's performance during the season earned him honours as both the WHL player of the year and CHL goaltender of the year.{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|pages=189–193}} Calgary fell to third in the Central Division in 2006–07. In the playoffs, they upset the Kootenay Ice, who finished 19-points ahead of Calgary in the regular season. The Hitmen then defeated the East Division champion Brandon Wheat Kings to reach the Eastern Conference final for the fourth time in franchise history, where they were defeated by the Tigers.{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=133}}

The Hitmen entered the 2007–08 season with expectation of being contenders, voted the pre-season pick to finish atop the Eastern Conference by the league's coaches and general managers.{{cite web|url=http://www.whl.ca/article/2007-08-whl-eastern-conference-preview/75407|title=2007–08 WHL Eastern Conference Preview|access-date=2011-01-11|date=2007-09-20|publisher=Western Hockey League|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111165801/http://www.whl.ca/article/2007-08-whl-eastern-conference-preview/75407|archive-date=2012-01-11}} The team lived up to expectations, winning the Central Division, and finishing with the best record in the East for the first time since 2000.{{Cite news |title=Hitmen shutout clinches first pennants since 2000 |last=Down |first=John |date=2008-03-16 |work=Calgary Herald}} During a late season game, Calgary broke the league's single-game attendance record, as an announced crowd of 19,305 watched Calgary defeat Kootenay by a score of 6–1.{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2009–10 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=230}} In the playoffs, the Hitmen defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors and Swift Current Broncos in six games apiece, advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season.{{cite web|url=http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000001429 |title=Hitmen double Broncos 8-4 to advance to Eastern Conference finals |access-date=2008-04-13 |date=2008-04-12 |publisher=Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414164624/http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000001429 |archive-date=April 14, 2008 |url-status=dead }}

File:Hitmen 2010 WHL Champs.png

Following the graduation of several players, including Karl Alzner, who was named both WHL player of the year and CHL defenceman of the year, the 2008–09 Hitmen were expected to enter a rebuilding period. Instead, they captured the franchise's third Scotty Munro Trophy as the regular season champions, earning the top seed in the playoffs.{{cite web |url=http://www.whl.ca/article/calgary-hitmen-clinch-scotty-munro-trophy/76821 |title=Calgary Hitmen clinch Scotty Munro Trophy |publisher=Western Hockey League |date=2009-03-15 |access-date=2011-01-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111170629/http://www.whl.ca/article/calgary-hitmen-clinch-scotty-munro-trophy/76821 |archive-date=2012-01-11 }} The team tied or broke 21 franchise records during the regular season, including wins (59), points (122) and goals scored (330). Joel Broda led the league with 53 goals, while Brandon Kozun and Brett Sonne finished second and third in league scoring with 108 and 100 points, respectively; it was only the second time in franchise history that two players topped the 100-point mark in the same season.{{cite news |last=Down |first=John |title=Hitmen rewrite record book |work=Calgary Herald |date=2009-03-16}} In the playoffs, the Hitmen won 12 straight games, sweeping the Edmonton Oil Kings, Lethbridge Hurricanes, and Brandon Wheat Kings to reach the WHL finals for the first time since 1999. In the finals, they were stunned by the Kelowna Rockets, losing the first three games of the series before winning the next two to extend the series to a sixth game.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/calgary-hitmen-force-game-6-in-whl-final-1.864480 |title=Calgary Hitmen force game 6 in WHL final |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2009-05-08 |access-date=2009-09-19}} The Hitmen lost game six in overtime, and the series 4–2, to end their season.{{cite web |url=http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=454629 |title=Hitmen playoff run ends |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |date=2009-05-10 |access-date=2009-09-19}} Sonne was named WHL Player of the Year, while General Manager Kelly Kisio was named Executive of the Year for the second time in recognition of the Hitmen's season.{{cite web |url=http://www.whl.ca/article/whl-announces-2008-09-awards-winners/76960 |title=WHL announces 2008–09 awards winners |publisher=Western Hockey League |date=2009-04-29 |access-date=2011-01-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111165820/http://www.whl.ca/article/whl-announces-2008-09-awards-winners/76960 |archive-date=2012-01-11 }}

File:022111 Hitmen vs Pats.png

The following season, Calgary again finished with the best record in the regular season with 107 points on the strength of Kozun's CHL-leading 107 points and the goaltending of Martin Jones, who was named goaltender of the year in the WHL.{{cite web |last=Fisher |first=Scott |url=http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/2010/03/15/13229881.html |title=All four won scoring title |work=Calgary Sun |date=2010-03-15 |access-date=2010-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317011811/http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/2010/03/15/13229881.html |archive-date=2010-03-17 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |author= |date=April 28, 2010 |title=Seguin, Eberle top junior hockey players |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/seguin-eberle-top-junior-hockey-players-1.887350 |url-status=live |work=CBC Sports |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521073720/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/seguin-eberle-top-junior-hockey-players-1.887350 |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |access-date=November 19, 2024}} The Hitmen's playoffs nearly ended quickly as they lost three of the first four games in their opening round playoff series against the Warriors before winning three consecutive games to take the series in seven.{{cite news |last=Myers |first=Sean |title=Hitmen vanquish Warriors in game 7 |work=Calgary Herald |date=2010-03-30}} They then beat the Tigers and Wheat Kings in six and five games respectively to reach the WHL championship series for the second consecutive year.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=526866 |title=Calgary Hitmen beat Brandon Wheat Kings 6-1 to advance to WHL final |publisher=National Hockey League |date=2010-04-24 |access-date=2010-05-08}} Entering the final against the Tri-City Americans, the 11 players who returned from the 2009 finals loss vowed not to suffer a repeat of their disappointing finish to the previous season.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=527607 |title=Hitmen motivated by last year's loss, want title to go with a winning season |publisher=National Hockey League |date=2010-04-29 |access-date=2010-05-08}} Named the playoff MVP, Jones allowed only seven goals against in the final as the Hitmen defeated the Americans in five games to win their second Ed Chynoweth Cup in franchise history.{{cite news |last=Myers |first=Sean |title=Jones wins MVP honours for rock-solid goaltending |work=Calgary Herald |date=2010-05-08}} The victory, in front of a home crowd of over 15,000 fans, earned the Hitmen a berth in the 2010 Memorial Cup tournament. At the tournament, Calgary posted a 2–1 record in the round robin, defeating the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats and the host Brandon Wheat Kings, but lost the semi-final in overtime, also against Brandon.{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/chl/feature/?id=6606 |title=2010 Mastercard Memorial Cup |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=2011-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130053334/http://tsn.ca/chl/feature/?id=6606 |archive-date=2010-11-30 |url-status=dead }}

Following the graduation of many of the team's top scorers, the Hitmen fell to last place the WHL in 2010–11, at one point tying a franchise record with 12 consecutive losses.{{cite web |last=Fisher |first=Scott |date=2010-09-05 |title=Mem Cup star expected to help lead Hitmen |url=http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/2010/09/06/15257076.html |access-date=2011-01-11 |work=Calgary Sun |archive-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909144850/http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/2010/09/06/15257076.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last=Odland |first=Kristen |url=http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=42c7067d-eff9-4ed7-b28a-42f3de0bdd21 |title=Hitmen deal with future in mind |work=Calgary Herald |date=2011-01-11 |access-date=2011-01-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109204715/http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=42c7067d-eff9-4ed7-b28a-42f3de0bdd21 |archive-date=2014-11-09 }} As part of the 2011 Heritage Classic, hosted by the Flames, the Hitmen hosted the Regina Pats in an outdoor game at McMahon Stadium on February 21, 2011. Regina won 3–2 before 20,888 fans, setting new WHL and CHL attendance records.{{cite web |last=Odland |first=Kristen |url=http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=f6a9a927-ede9-4196-a80c-aa620e452a21 |title=Hitmen clipped by Pats before record crowd |work=Calgary Herald |date=2011-02-21 |access-date=2011-02-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109203743/http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=f6a9a927-ede9-4196-a80c-aa620e452a21 |archive-date=2014-11-09 }}

In 2019, the Hitmen hosted the Corral Series, a three-game series paying tribute to former teams that used to play in the Corral.{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Kevin |date=2018-10-10 |title=Calgary Hitmen to play 3 games in historic Stampede Corral |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4534988/calgary-hitmen-stampede-corral-games/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011024322/https://globalnews.ca/news/4534988/calgary-hitmen-stampede-corral-games/ |archive-date=2018-10-11 |website=Global News}}{{cite web |last=Saelhof |first=Todd |date=2019-02-08 |title=History lesson for Hitmen in Corral Series finale |url=https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/history-lesson-for-hitmen-in-corral-series-finale |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209153839/https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/history-lesson-for-hitmen-in-corral-series-finale |archive-date=2019-02-09 |website=Calgary Sun}}

File:Hitmenlogos.pngThe club selected its name and logo as an homage to Bret "Hitman" Hart, and the team's original pink, grey, and black jerseys were modelled after Hart's ring attire.{{Cite news |last=Francis |first=Eric |date=1994-11-30 |title=It's the Hitmen! |work=Calgary Sun |page=41}} The logo proved popular and Hitmen merchandise sold well.{{Cite news |last=Francis |first=Eric |date=1995-01-11 |title=Fans can't get enough of Hitmen |work=Calgary Sun |page=37}} However, the name and logo were subject to criticism from segments of the public and the business community, who panned both as negative stereotypes of violence within the sport.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=George |date=1994-12-13 |title=Hitmen under fire |work=Calgary Sun |page=40}} Among the chief critics of the new logo was the Flames organization, who received calls from concerned business people who shared that sentiment.{{Cite news |last=Tucker |first=Larry |date=1995-01-14 |title='Hit' put on Hitmen |work=Calgary Sun |page=S3}} Struggling to attract corporate sponsors, the Hitmen chose to scrap the "Jason Voorhees"-style logo in favour of an alternate "starburst" logo just two months after it was unveiled.{{Cite news |last=Francis |first=Eric |date=1995-01-16 |title=Hitmen logo nixed |work=Calgary Sun |page=51}} The club went back to the original logo in 1996.{{cite web |author=Hart, Bret |date=2004-04-30 |title=Bret Hart's Calgary Sun column for April 30, 2004 |url=http://www.brethart.com/column/april30-2004.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510232710/http://www.brethart.com/column/april30-2004.asp |archive-date=2007-05-10 |access-date=2008-04-13 |work=Calgary Sun (via brethart.com)}}

When the Calgary Flames purchased the team in 1997, they adopted a new colour scheme and updated the logo.

File:2005 teddy toss.JPG at the Saddledome.|alt=Wide angle shot of a hockey rink. Fans on all sides are throwing stuffed animals onto the ice where several hundred are piling up.]]

The Hitmen support numerous programs and charities. They host an annual teddy bear toss in December. The 13th annual Petro Canada Teddy Bear Toss, held on {{Nowrap|December 2}}, 2007, saw what the Hitmen claim a world record 26,919 bears tossed on to the ice by 17,341 fans.{{cite news |last=Wyshnyski |first=Greg |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Watch-23-096-stuffed-animals-bombard-a-ho?urn=nhl-296981 |title=Video: Watch 23,096 stuffed animals bombard a hockey rink |work=Yahoo! Sports |access-date=2011-01-11|date=2010-12-16}} The bears are donated to charities throughout the Calgary area. A few of the bears are personally delivered by the players to the Alberta Children's Hospital, an event highly anticipated by patients at the hospital.{{cite web |url=http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/local/article/718855--hitmen-become-santa-s-helpers |title=Hitmen become Santa's helpers |last=Turner |first=Katie |access-date=2011-01-11 |date=2010-12-13 |work=Metro News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220053301/http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/local/article/718855--hitmen-become-santa-s-helpers |archive-date=2010-12-20 }}

The Hitmen are also partners with the Calgary Board of Education and their Read On! Literacy for Life program. Red Deer, Alberta author Sigmund Brouwer has released numerous young adult-oriented mystery novels about the team and fictitious Hitmen players.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbe.ab.ca/new/hitmen08.asp |title=Calgary Hitmen player and Hall of Famer score points for literacy with CBE students |access-date=2008-02-25 |date=2008-02-20 |publisher=Calgary Board of Education |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716083432/http://www.cbe.ab.ca/new/hitmen08.asp |archive-date=2011-07-16 |url-status=dead}} The ninth book in the series, titled Hitmen Star, was published in 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbe.ab.ca/new/hitmenstar.asp |title=Calgary Hitmen hockey players score points for literacy with CBE students |publisher=Calgary Board of Education |date=2009-02-09 |access-date=2009-03-15}} {{Dead link|date=March 2012|bot=H3llBot}} Copies of the books are distributed to sixth grade students throughout Calgary and southern Alberta schools; with Hitmen and former National Hockey League players helping to encourage students to take an active interest in reading.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

{{unsourced-section|date=August 2024}}

• Ed Chynoweth Cup: 1998–99, 2009–10
• Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy: 1998–99, 1999–00, 2008–09, 2009–10
• Conference championships (3): 1998–99, 2008–09, 2009–10
• Division titles (7): 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2014–15

• 1998–99: Win, 4–1 vs Kamloops Blazers
• 2008–09: Loss, 2–4 vs Kelowna Rockets
• 2009–10: Win, 4–1 vs Tri-City Americans

• 1999: Loss, 6–7 (OT) vs Ottawa 67's

File:Ryan Getzlaf 2010.png played four seasons with the Hitmen between 2001 and 2005.|alt=Upper body of a hockey player staring intently into the distance. He is in a white jersey with black, red and gold trim, with the word "DUCKS" scrawled across the chest.]]

Thirty-eight players have been selected from the Hitmen roster at the National Hockey League's entry draft, including nine players selected in the first round.{{Cite book |title=2008–09 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |editor1=Flett, Cory |page=42 |editor2=Watts, Jessie}} The highest drafted players in club history were Pavel Brendl (1999) and Andrew Ladd (2004)—both players were selected fourth overall.

Forty-four former Hitmen players have gone on to play in the National Hockey League.{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=Scott |url=http://m.calgarysun.com/2012/03/15/hitmen-grads-puttin-on-good-show |title=Hitmen grads puttin' on good Show |work=Calgary Sun |date=2012-03-15 |access-date=2012-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102225920/http://m.calgarysun.com/2012/03/15/hitmen-grads-puttin-on-good-show |archive-date=2014-11-02 }} The first was Ryan Bast, who played two games with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1998–99.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=23553|title=Ryan Bast player profile|work=The Internet Hockey Database|access-date=2008-02-23}} Andrew Ladd has gone on to win two Stanley Cup championships, with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=21262 |title=Andrew Ladd player profile |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=2011-01-11}} His former Hitmen teammate, Ryan Getzlaf, won the Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, and Johnny Boychuk has one as a member of the 2011 Boston Bruins.{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=20892 |title=Ryan Getzlaf player profile |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=2011-01-11}}

{{unsourced-section|date=August 2024}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=18em|

• Karl Alzner
• Ryan Bast
• Jake Bean
• Kris Beech
• Johnny Boychuk
• Pavel Brendl
• Barry Brust
• Brett Carson
• Brodie Dupont
• Chris Driedger
• Justin Falk
• Kris Foucault
• Owen Fussey
• T. J. Galiardi
• Ryan Getzlaf
• Darcy Hordichuk
• Martin Jones
• Mark Kastelic
• Dustin Kohn
• Brandon Kozun
• Brent Krahn
• Jordan Krestanovich
• Andrew Ladd
• Beck Malenstyn
• Carson McMillan
• Brad Moran
• Chris Nielsen
• Stephen Peat
• Matt Pettinger
• Alex Plante
• Justin Pogge
• Paul Postma
• Konstantin Pushkarev
• Victor Rask
• Travis Sanheim
• Brandon Segal
• Jeff Schultz
• Ray Schultz
• Fredrik Sjostrom
• Jerred Smithson
• Rastislav Stana
• Michael Stone
• Brad Stuart
• Ryan Tobler
• Carsen Twarynski
• Jake Virtanen
• Ryan White
• Egor Zamula

}}

Dean Clark coached the team between 1996 and 2001, winning more games than any other WHL coach.{{cite web |title=Dean Clark |url=http://www.pgcougars.com/page/dean-clark |access-date=2011-01-11 |publisher=Prince George Cougars Hockey Club}} He was named coach of the year in both the WHL and CHL in 1998.{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/WHLNews0102/jul17_clark.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722222139/http://www.canoe.ca/WHLNews0102/jul17_clark.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 22, 2012|title=Dean Clark named Brandon Wheat Kings' new head coach|access-date=2008-04-15|date=2001-07-17|publisher=canoe.ca}} He led the Hitmen to three division titles, two regular season titles, one league championship, and coached the Hitmen to their first Memorial Cup final.{{cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12278|title=Dean Clark profile|access-date=2008-04-15|publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame}}

Kelly Kisio was head coach from the 2004–05 season to the end of the 2007–08 season, a role he shared with Dean Evason in his first year with the Hitmen.{{cite web|url=http://www.hitmenhockey.com/mediareleases/MEDIA_REL/comments.cgi?discussion_no=1&subject_no=193 |title=Kelly Kisio and Dean Evason Take Over Coaching Duties |date=2004-05-18 |access-date=2008-04-15 |publisher=Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214045404/http://www.hitmenhockey.com/mediareleases/MEDIA_REL/comments.cgi?discussion_no=1&subject_no=193 |archive-date=2006-12-14 |url-status=dead }} Kisio stepped down as coach in 2008, naming former assistant Dave Lowry as head coach for the 2008–09 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.whl.ca/article/calgary-hitmen-announce-changes-to-hockey-operations/76144 |title=Calgary Hitmen announce changes to hockey operations |access-date=2011-01-11 |date=2008-06-24 |publisher=Western Hockey League |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111165945/http://www.whl.ca/article/calgary-hitmen-announce-changes-to-hockey-operations/76144 |archive-date=2012-01-11 }}

Lowry was promoted to an assistant with the Calgary Flames after leading the Hitmen to a 122-point season in his first year. He was replaced by Mike Williamson, who led the team to a WHL championship in 2010 before leaving the team in 2014.{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=Mike |url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/04/16/calgary-hitmen-wont-renew-mike-williamsons-contract |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508062255/http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/04/16/calgary-hitmen-wont-renew-mike-williamsons-contract |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-05-08 |title=Calgary Hitmen won't renew Mike Williamson's contract |work=Calgary Sun |date=2014-04-16 |access-date=2014-11-02 }} He was followed by Mark French,{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Gordon |url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/06/12/calgary-hitmen-hire-mark-french-as-head-coach |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711085234/http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/06/12/calgary-hitmen-hire-mark-french-as-head-coach |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-07-11 |title=Calgary Hitmen hire Mark French as head coach |work=Calgary Sun |date=2014-06-12 |access-date=2014-11-02 }} Dallas Ferguson, and Steve Hamilton.{{cite web |date=July 17, 2018 |title=Hitmen waste no time hiring former Oil Kings head coach Hamilton |url=https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/hitmen-waste-no-time-hiring-former-oil-kings-head-coach-hamilton |work=Calgary Sun}}

In 2024, the team hired Paul McFarland who spent the three previous seasons as assistant coach of the Seattle Kraken.{{cite web |date=May 23, 2024 |title=Calgary Hitmen Name Paul McFarland 11th Head Coach in Franchise History |url=https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/article/calgary-hitmen-name-paul-mcfarland-11th-head-coach-in-franchise-history/ | work=Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club}}

File:Hitmenwalloffame.jpg.|alt=A large silver, metal display hanging high on a wall. It features winners of four awards and miniature replicas of two trophies.]]

{{unsourced-section|date=August 2024}}

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File:Hitmen Scotty Munro Trophy.JPG and Kyle Bortis accept the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the 2008–09 regular season champions.|alt=Two players in full hockey uniforms stand with a trophy between them.]]

The Calgary Hitmen have captured numerous awards during the franchise's tenure. Hitmen players have been named the WHL's most outstanding player four times. Defenceman Karl Alzner won the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy in 2007–08—he was also named the defenceman of the year{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=22210 |title=Karl Alzner player profile |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=2011-01-11}}—and Brett Sonne won the trophy in 2008–09. Goaltender Martin Jones captured numerous awards in Calgary's championship season of 2009–10, including being named the top goaltender at the Memorial Cup, while Brandon Kozun led the entire Canadian Hockey League in scoring.{{cite web |date=2010-05-23 |title=Mastercard Memorial Cup individual award winners announced |url=http://www.chl.ca/article/mastercard-memorial-cup-individual-award-winners-announced |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213201438/http://chl.ca/article/mastercard-memorial-cup-individual-award-winners-announced |archive-date=2010-12-13 |access-date=2011-01-11 |publisher=Canadian Hockey League}}{{cite web |url=http://www.chl.ca/article/chl-announces-2009-10-award-winners |title=2009–10 CHL award winners |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |date=2010-05-22 |access-date=2011-01-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213200934/http://chl.ca/article/chl-announces-2009-10-award-winners |archive-date=2010-12-13 }}

Brad Moran, the franchise's all-time leading scorer, had his number 20 retired in 2005, the first player to be so honoured.{{Cite news|first=Scott|last=Cruikshank|title='Thank you, Bugsy': Moran becomes first Hitman to have sweater retired|newspaper=The Calgary Herald |location=Alberta |date=2005-02-26 |page=D5}} Following the lead of the Calgary Flames, the team introduced a new program in 2015 to honour former players. Called "Forever a Hitmen", the team named Ryan Getzlaf the first inductee in 2015.{{cite news |last=Heinan |first=Laurence |title=Getzlaf etched in Hitmen history |work=Calgary Herald |date=2015-01-19 |page=D1}}

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• List of ice hockey teams in Alberta
• Ice hockey in Calgary

{{Reflist|30em}}

• Standings and team records: {{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2008–09 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|pages=40–41}}
• Roster: {{cite web|url=http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/roster.cgi|title=Players|access-date=2008-04-13|publisher=Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080316120854/http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/roster.cgi| archive-date = March 16, 2008}}

{{Commons category|Calgary Hitmen}}

• [https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/ Official website]

{{Calgary Hitmen}}

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