Editing Calgary Hitmen (section)

== Franchise history ==

=== Founding and early tumult ===
[[Graham James (ice hockey)|Graham James]] left his position as coach and general manager of the [[Swift Current Broncos]] to found the Hitmen in 1994.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Larry|last=Tucker|title=Ice dreams|work=Calgary Sun|date=1995-10-24}}</ref> 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 [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]].<ref name="SaleHerald">{{Cite news|first=Mike|last=Board|title=Flames take a shot at owning Hitmen|work=Calgary Herald|page=E1-E2|date=1997-06-14}}</ref> 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.<ref name="madness">{{Cite news|first=Larry|last=Tucker|title=Method to this madness|page=62|work=Calgary Sun|date=1994-06-24}}</ref> When scheduling conflicts occurred, the Hitmen used the [[Stampede Corral]] as a secondary venue—including for the first seven games in club history.<ref name="corral">{{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}}</ref>

Calgary had been without a WHL team since the Wranglers moved south to become the [[Lethbridge Hurricanes]] in 1987.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Eric|last=Francis|title=Hitmen home run|work=Calgary Sun|date=1995-10-07}}</ref> 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.<ref name="madness" />

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

James stunned the organization when he resigned as coach and general manager on {{Nowrap|September 5}}, 1996.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Eric|last=Francis|title=Shocking departure|work=Calgary Sun|page=S6|date=1996-09-07}}</ref> Two days later, the [[Calgary Police Service]] revealed that James was being investigated on allegations he [[sexual abuse|sexually abused]] two former players while he was with the Swift Current Broncos.<ref>{{Cite news|author1=Wilton, Suzanne  |author2=Francis, Eric|title=City police investigating former coach|work=Calgary Sun|page=4|date=1996-09-07}}</ref> James was charged, and in {{Nowrap|January 1997}} pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref> Upon James' conviction and sentencing to prison, the Hitmen attempted to distance themselves from their former coach.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

The Hitmen struggled on the ice as well, again missing the playoffs after falling to a record of 15–53–4.<ref name="teamrecords">{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|pages=40–41}}</ref> The spectre of the Graham James scandal hurt the franchise.<ref name="SaleHerald" /> 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}}.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Mark|last=Miller|title=Hitmen finally go up in Flames|work=Calgary Sun|page=S5|date=1997-06-14}}</ref> 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.<ref name="SaleHerald" />

=== First championship ===
[[File:Hitmen v Oil Kings.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Hitmen face the [[Edmonton Oil Kings]] 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 (ice hockey)|Dean Clark]] took over as head coach shortly after James' resignation, and led the [[1997–98 WHL season|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.<ref name="teamrecords" /> They defeated the [[Saskatoon Blades]] and Swift Current Broncos to reach the Eastern Conference final before falling to the [[Brandon Wheat Kings]].<ref>{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=156}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite book|editor=Bell, Aaron|title=2009–10 OHL Media Guide|publisher=Ontario Hockey League|page=139}}</ref> Calgary improved to 51–13–8 in [[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]], finishing one point ahead of the [[Kamloops Blazers]] for the [[Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy]] for best regular season record.<ref name="98–99">{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=155}}</ref> Led by [[Brad Moran (ice hockey)|Brad Moran]], [[Pavel Brendl]], and goaltender Alexandre Fomitchev, the Hitmen lost just five games in the playoffs en route to their first [[Ed Chynoweth Cup|President's Cup]]. They won the title at home before a WHL playoff record crowd of 17,139.<ref name="98–99" /> They became the first Calgary-based team to qualify for the Memorial Cup since the Calgary Canadians won the 1926 title.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Randy|last=Sportak|title=Memorial Drive|work=Calgary Sun|page=S2|date=1999-05-08}}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{Cite news|first=Randy|last=Sportak|title=Pavel show!|work=Calgary Sun|page=H3|date=1999-05-20}}</ref> Finishing atop the round robin standings, the Hitmen earned a bye into the championship game, a rematch against the 67's.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Randy|last=Sportak|title=Chance of a lifetime|work=Calgary Sun|page=H3|date=1999-05-23}}</ref> 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.<ref name="shock">{{Cite news|first=Randy|last=Sportak|title='I'm in shock'|work=Calgary Sun|page=S2|date=1999-05-24}}</ref> Ottawa's [[Matt Zultek]] scored the winning goal 1:58 into overtime to give the 67's the championship.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Jim|last=Taylor|title=Sting won't last|work=Calgary Sun|page=S3|date=1999-05-24}}</ref> Brendl and Matt Kinch were named to the Memorial Cup All-Star team.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Randy|last=Sportak|title=Losing hardest hit of all|work=Calgary Sun|page=S3|date=1999-05-24}}</ref>

The Hitmen entered the [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000 season]] with expectations of making another Memorial Cup run.<ref name="shock" /> The club finished the regular season with a record of 58–12–2–2, once again winning the regular season title.<ref name="99–00">{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=154}}</ref> The team set franchise records for victories (58) and points (120), which stood until the 2008–09 year.<ref name="teamrecords" /> 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.<ref name="99–00" />

=== Turn of the century ===
[[File:Farleythefox.JPG|thumb|100px|left|Hitmen mascot, Farley the Fox.|alt=A mascot in the form of an anthropomorphic fox. It has brown "fur" with a white muzzle, oversized eyes and mouth.]]
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.<ref>{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|pages=150–153}}</ref>  The Hitmen acquired goaltender [[Justin Pogge]] from the [[Prince George Cougars]] during the [[2004–05 WHL season|2004–05 season]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> Pogge's goaltending, along with the offensive leadership of forward [[Andrew Ladd]], saw the Hitmen win their first playoff series in four years.<ref name="teamrecords" /> 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.<ref name="2004–05">{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=149}}</ref>

The Hitmen were heavily marketed by the Flames during the NHL's [[2004–05 NHL lockout|2004–05]] [[Lockout (industry)|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.<ref>{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2009–10 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=228}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref>

The [[2005–06 WHL season|2005–06]] Hitmen battled the [[Medicine Hat Tigers]] for the top spot in the Western Hockey League for most of the season.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Calgary finished with 101 points, their best total since 1999–2000, finishing two points behind Medicine Hat for the best record in the league.<ref name="2005–06">{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=148}}</ref> The team disappointed in the playoffs, falling to the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Eastern Conference semi-final.<ref name="2005–06" /> Pogge's performance during the season earned him honours as both the WHL [[Four Broncos Memorial Trophy|player of the year]] and CHL [[CHL Goaltender of the Year Award|goaltender of the year]].<ref name="Awards">{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|pages=189–193}}</ref> Calgary fell to third in the Central Division in [[2006–07 WHL season|2006–07]].<ref name="teamrecords" /> 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.<ref name="2006–07">{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2007–08 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=133}}</ref>

The Hitmen entered the [[2007–08 WHL season|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hitmen shutout clinches first pennants since 2000 |last=Down |first=John |date=2008-03-16 |work=Calgary Herald}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite book|editor1=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie |title=2009–10 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|page=230}}</ref>  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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

=== Second championship ===
[[File:Hitmen 2010 WHL Champs.png|thumb|right|The team celebrates its 2010 title.|alt=About 30 people gather around a trophy in celebration, many of them raising a single finger.]]
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 WHL season|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Down |first=John |title=Hitmen rewrite record book |work=Calgary Herald |date=2009-03-16}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The Hitmen lost game six in overtime, and the series 4–2, to end their season.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

[[File:022111 Hitmen vs Pats.png|thumb|left|Jaynen Rissling scored Calgary's first goal in the Hitmen's outdoor game; the Regina Pats ultimately won 3–2.|alt=Several hockey players in either white and blue or black and grey uniforms watch as one player shoots the puck into his opponent's net]]
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 (ice hockey)|Martin Jones]], who was named goaltender of the year in the WHL.<ref name="BobClarkeTrophy">{{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 }}</ref><ref name="DelWilsonTrophy">{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Myers |first=Sean |title=Hitmen vanquish Warriors in game 7 |work=Calgary Herald |date=2010-03-30}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Myers |first=Sean |title=Jones wins MVP honours for rock-solid goaltending |work=Calgary Herald |date=2010-05-08}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

Following the graduation of many of the team's top scorers, the Hitmen fell to last place the WHL in [[2010–11 WHL season|2010–11]], at one point tying a franchise record with 12 consecutive losses.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> As part of the [[2011 Heritage Classic]], hosted by the Flames, the Hitmen hosted the [[Regina Pats]] in an [[List of outdoor ice hockey games|outdoor game]] at [[McMahon Stadium]] on February 21, 2011. Regina won 3–2 before 20,888 fans, setting new WHL and CHL attendance records.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

In 2019, the Hitmen hosted the Corral Series, a three-game series paying tribute to former teams that used to play in the Corral.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>