Editing Calgary Hitmen

{{short description|Western Hockey League team in Calgary, Alberta}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=August 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox hockey team
| team        = Calgary Hitmen
| colour      = background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#E2373C 5px solid; border-bottom:#9F7152 5px solid;
| colour text = #000000
| logo        = Calgary Hitmen logo.svg
| logosize    = 230px
| city        = [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]]
| league      = [[Western Hockey League]]
| conference  = Eastern
| division    = Central
| founded     = {{Start date|1994}}
| arena       = [[Scotiabank Saddledome]]
| colours     = Black, Red, Copper, White <br /> {{Color box|black}} {{Color box|#E2373C}} {{Color box|#9F7152}} {{Color box|#FFFFFF}}
| owner       = [[Calgary Sports and Entertainment]]
| GM          = Garry Davidson
| coach       = [[Paul McFarland]] 
| captain     = 
| championships  = [[Ed Chynoweth Cup]]<br> '''2''' ([[1998–99 WHL season|1999]], [[2009–10 WHL season|2010]])<br>Conference Championships<br> 3 ([[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]], [[2008–09 WHL season|2008–09]], [[2009–10 WHL season|2009–10]])
|reg_season_titles='''4''' ([[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]], [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000]], [[2008–09 WHL season|2008–09]], [[2009–10 WHL season|2009–10]])
| website     = {{URL|https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/}}
| uniform_image=WHL-Uniform-CGY.png}}

[[File:HitmenHurricanesFaceoff.jpg|thumb|250px|right|2005 playoff game against the [[Lethbridge Hurricanes]] at the Saddledome.|alt=Players on two teams, one in white and the other in dark blue, face off against each other while a referee prepares to begin play]]

The '''Calgary Hitmen''' are a Canadian [[junior ice hockey]] team based in [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]]. The Hitmen play in the Central Division of the [[Western Hockey League]] (WHL), hosting their home games at the [[Scotiabank Saddledome]]. [[Bret Hart|Bret "Hitman" Hart]], a [[professional wrestler]] and Calgary native, was a founding owner and the inspiration for the team's name. Established in 1994, the team has been owned by the [[Calgary Flames]] hockey club since 1997. They are the third WHL team based in Calgary, after the [[Calgary Centennials|Centennials]] and [[Calgary Wranglers (WHL)|Wranglers]].

The Hitmen have won four regular season titles, and the team qualified for the playoffs for thirteen consecutive seasons between 1998 and 2010. In 1999, they became the first Calgary team to win the [[Ed Chynoweth Cup|President's Cup]] as league champions, and the first to represent the city in the [[Memorial Cup]] since the [[Calgary Canadians]] won the national junior title in 1926. The team won a second league championship in 2010. The Hitmen hold numerous WHL attendance records, and in 2004–05 became the first team in [[Canadian Hockey League]] history to average 10,000 fans per game. Thirty-nine former Hitmen players have gone on to play in the [[National Hockey League]].

== 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>

== Logo and jerseys ==
[[File:Hitmenlogos.png|thumb|250px|right|The original logo of the Hitmen (left) and the alternate they chose to use in their first season (right) after the original was deemed controversial.|alt=Two cartoon logos: The first is the upper body of a man wearing a mask with a menacing look clutching a hockey stick. The second is the word "Hitmen", written in stylized fashion in front of two crossed hockey sticks.]]The 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Francis |first=Eric |date=1994-11-30 |title=It's the Hitmen! |work=Calgary Sun |page=41}}</ref> The logo proved popular and Hitmen merchandise sold well.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Francis |first=Eric |date=1995-01-11 |title=Fans can't get enough of Hitmen |work=Calgary Sun |page=37}}</ref> 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 in ice hockey|violence within the sport]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=George |date=1994-12-13 |title=Hitmen under fire |work=Calgary Sun |page=40}}</ref> Among the chief critics of the new logo was the Flames organization, who received calls from concerned business people who shared that sentiment.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tucker |first=Larry |date=1995-01-14 |title='Hit' put on Hitmen |work=Calgary Sun |page=S3}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Francis |first=Eric |date=1995-01-16 |title=Hitmen logo nixed |work=Calgary Sun |page=51}}</ref> The club went back to the original logo in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hart, Bret |date=2004-04-30 |title=Bret Hart's ''Calgary Sun'' column for April&nbsp;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)}}</ref>

When the Calgary Flames purchased the team in 1997, they adopted a new colour scheme and updated the logo.<ref name="SaleHerald" />

== Community impact ==
[[File:2005 teddy toss.JPG|thumb|right|2005 [[teddy bear toss]] 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

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 [[Youth|young adult]]-oriented [[mystery novel]]s about the team and fictitious Hitmen players.<ref name="HitmenTriumph">{{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}}</ref> The ninth book in the series, titled ''Hitmen Star'', was published in 2008.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="HitmenTriumph" />

== Season-by-season record ==
'''''Note:''' GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against''

{|class="wikitable"
! Season || GP || W || L || T || OTL || GF || GA || Points || Finish || Playoffs
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1995–96 WHL season|1995–96]] || 72 || 18 || 51 || 3 || – || 222 || 359 || 39 || 5th Central || Did not qualify
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[1996–97 WHL season|1996–97]] || 72 || 15 || 53 || 4 || – || 199 || 360 || 34 || 4th Central || Did not qualify
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1997–98 WHL season|1997–98]] || 72 || 40 || 28 || 4 || – || 265 || 232 || 84 || '''1st Central''' || Lost Eastern Conference final
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]] || 72 || 51 || 13 || 8 || – || 319 || 187 || 110 || '''1st Central''' || '''Won [[Ed Chynoweth Cup|Championship]]'''; '''Lost [[1999 Memorial Cup|Memorial Cup]] final'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000]] || 72 || 58 || 10 || 2 || 2 || 313 || 182 || 120 || '''1st Central''' || Lost Eastern Conference final
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2000–01 WHL season|2000–01]] || 72 || 37 || 27 || 5 || 3 || 284 || 250 || 82 || 3rd Central || Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2001–02 WHL season|2001–02]] || 72 || 33 || 33 || 5 || 1 || 271 || 281 || 72 || 3rd Central || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2002–03 WHL season|2002–03]] || 72 || 27 || 36 || 7 || 2 || 240 || 260 || 63 || 4th Central || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2003–04 WHL season|2003–04]] || 72 || 34 || 24 || 8 || 6 || 220 || 187 || 82 || 3rd Central || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2004–05 WHL season|2004–05]] || 72 || 34 || 23 || 9 || 6 || 200 || 183 || 83 || 3rd Central || Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;"
! Season || GP || W || L || OTL || SOL || GF || GA || Points || Finish || Playoffs
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2005–06 WHL season|2005–06]] || 72 || 47 || 18 || 3 || 4 || 195 || 155 || 101 || 2nd Central || Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2006–07 WHL season|2006–07]] || 72 || 39 || 26 || 3 || 4 || 251 || 205 || 85 || 3rd Central || Lost Eastern Conference final
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2007–08 WHL season|2007–08]] || 72 || 47 || 20 || 1 || 4 || 259 || 166 || 99 || '''1st Central''' || Lost Eastern Conference final
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2008–09 WHL season|2008–09]] || 72 || 59 || 9 || 3 || 1 || 330 || 159 || 122 || '''1st Central''' || Lost Final
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2009–10 WHL season|2009–10]] || 72 || 52 || 17 || 1 || 2 || 269 || 177 || 107 || '''1st Central''' || '''Won [[Ed Chynoweth Cup|Championship]]'''; '''Lost [[2010 Memorial Cup|Memorial Cup]] semifinal'''
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2010–11 WHL season|2010–11]] || 72 || 20 || 47 || 3 || 2 || 171 || 271 || 45 || 6th Central || Did not qualify
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2011–12 WHL season|2011–12]] || 72 || 44 || 27 || 2 || 1 || 273 || 221 || 91 || 2nd Central || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2012–13 WHL season|2012–13]] || 72 || 46 || 21 || 1 || 4 || 266 || 204 || 97 || 2nd Central || Lost Eastern Conference final
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2013–14 WHL season|2013–14]] || 72 || 48 || 17 || 3 || 4 || 287 || 207 || 103 || 2nd Central || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2014–15 WHL season|2014–15]] || 72 || 45 || 22 || 1 || 4 || 289 || 203 || 95 || '''1st Central''' || Lost Eastern Conference final
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2015–16 WHL season|2015–16]] || 72 || 42 || 26 || 2 || 2 || 246 || 219 || 88 || 3rd Central || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2016–17 WHL season|2016–17]] || 72 || 30 || 32 || 8 || 2 || 215 || 282 || 70 || 4th Central || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2017–18 WHL season|2017–18]] || 72 || 24 || 37 || 9 || 2 || 226 || 276 || 59 || 5th Central || Did not qualify
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2018–19 WHL season|2018–19]] || 68 || 36 || 26 || 5 || 1 || 255 || 240 || 78 || 3rd Central || Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2019–20 WHL season|2019–20]] || 64 || 35 || 24 || 4 || 1 || 219 || 201 || 75 || 4th Central || ''Cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Canada|COVID-19 pandemic]]''
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2020–21 WHL season|2020–21]] || 21 || 10 || 8 || 3 || 0 || 72 || 79 || 23 || 3rd Central || ''No playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic''
|-  style="text-align:center;
| [[2021–22 WHL season|2021–22]] || 68 || 25 || 34 || 7 || 2 || 183 || 229 || 59 || 5th Central || Did not qualify
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2022–23 WHL season|2022–23]] || 68 || 31 || 29 || 3 || 1 || 220 || 224 || 70 || 3rd Central || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|-  style="text-align:center;
| [[2023–24 WHL season|2023–24]] || 68 || 28 || 31 || 8 || 1 || 250 || 255 || 65 || 5th Central || Did not qualify
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"
| [[2024–25 WHL season|2024–25]] || 68 || 45 || 17 || 3 || 3 || 266 || 183 || 96 || 2nd Central || Lost Eastern Conference semifinal 
|}

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

* '''[[Ed Chynoweth Cup]]''': [[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]], [[2009–10 WHL season|2009–10]]
* '''[[Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy]]''': 1998–99, [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–00]], [[2008–09 WHL season|2008–09]], 2009–10
* '''Conference championships (3)''': 1998–99, 2008–09, 2009–10
* '''Division titles (7)''': [[1997–98 WHL season|1997–98]], 1998–99, 1999–00, [[2007–08 WHL season|2007–08]], 2008–09, 2009–10, [[2014–15 WHL season|2014–15]]

=== WHL Championship finals ===

* 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]]

=== Memorial Cup finals ===

* [[1999 Memorial Cup|1999]]: Loss, 6–7 (OT) vs [[Ottawa 67's]]

== NHL alumni ==
[[File:Ryan Getzlaf 2010.png|thumb|right|[[Ryan Getzlaf]] 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 [[NHL Entry Draft|entry draft]], including nine players selected in the first round.<ref name="Hitmen draft">{{Cite book |title=2008–09 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |editor1=Flett, Cory |page=42 |editor2=Watts, Jessie}}</ref> The highest drafted players in club history were [[Pavel Brendl]] ([[1999 NHL Entry Draft|1999]]) and [[Andrew Ladd]] ([[2004 NHL Entry Draft|2004]])—both players were selected fourth overall.<ref name="Hitmen draft" />

Forty-four former Hitmen players have gone on to play in the National Hockey League.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> The first was [[Ryan Bast]], who played two games with the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> Andrew Ladd has gone on to win two [[Stanley Cup]] championships, with the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] in 2006 and the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] in 2010.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

=== List of NHL alumni ===
{{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 (ice hockey)|Martin Jones]]
* [[Mark Kastelic]]
* [[Dustin Kohn]]
* [[Brandon Kozun]]
* [[Brent Krahn]]
* [[Jordan Krestanovich]]
* [[Andrew Ladd]]
* [[Beck Malenstyn]]
* [[Carson McMillan]]
* [[Brad Moran (ice hockey)|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 Sjöström|Fredrik Sjostrom]]
* [[Jerred Smithson]]
* [[Rastislav Stana]]
* [[Michael Stone (ice hockey)|Michael Stone]]
* [[Brad Stuart]]
* [[Ryan Tobler]]
* [[Carsen Twarynski]]
* [[Jake Virtanen]]
* [[Ryan White (ice hockey)|Ryan White]]
* [[Egor Zamula]]
}}

== Head coaches ==
[[Dean Clark (ice hockey)|Dean Clark]] coached the team between 1996 and 2001, winning more games than any other WHL coach.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dean Clark |url=http://www.pgcougars.com/page/dean-clark |access-date=2011-01-11 |publisher=Prince George Cougars Hockey Club}}</ref> He was named coach of the year in both the WHL and CHL in 1998.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

[[Kelly Kisio]] was head coach from the [[2004–05 WHL season|2004–05 season]] to the end of the [[2007–08 WHL season|2007–08 season]], a role he shared with [[Dean Evason]] in his first year with the Hitmen.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Kisio stepped down as coach in 2008, naming former assistant [[Dave Lowry]] as head coach for the [[2008–09 WHL season|2008–09 season]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

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 (ice hockey)|Mike Williamson]], who led the team to a WHL championship in 2010 before leaving the team in 2014.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> He was followed by [[Mark French (ice hockey)|Mark French]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> [[Dallas Ferguson]], and Steve Hamilton.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref>

In 2024, the team hired [[Paul McFarland]] who spent the three previous seasons as assistant coach of the [[Seattle Kraken]].<ref>{{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]]}}</ref>

{| class=wikitable
|- style="text-align:center; background:#dddddd; border-top:#E2373C 5px solid; border-bottom:#9F7152 5px solid;"
! # !! Name !! Dates !! Notes
|-
|align=center| 1 || [[Graham James (ice hockey)|Graham James]] || [[1995–96 WHL season|1995–1996]] || Resigned prior to 1996–97 season
|-
|align=center| 2 || Jim Currie || [[1996–97 WHL season|1996]] || Interim head coach
|-
|align=center| 3 || [[Dean Clark (ice hockey)|Dean Clark]] || [[1996–97 WHL season|1996]]–[[2000–01 WHL season|2001]] || 1998 WHL, CHL [[Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy|Coach of the Year]]
|-
|align=center| 4 || [[Richard Kromm]] || [[2001–02 WHL season|2001]]–[[2003–04 WHL season|2004]] ||
|-
|align=center| 5 || [[Dean Evason]] || [[2004–05 WHL season|2004–2005]] || Co-coach with Kelly Kisio
|-
|align=center| 6 || [[Kelly Kisio]] || [[2004–05 WHL season|2004]]–[[2007–08 WHL season|2008]] ||
|-
|align=center| 7 || [[Dave Lowry]] || [[2008–09 WHL season|2008–2009]] ||
|-
|align=center| 8 || [[Mike Williamson (ice hockey)|Mike Williamson]] || [[2009–10 WHL season|2009]]–[[2013–14 WHL season|2014]] ||
|-
|align=center| 9 || [[Mark French (ice hockey)|Mark French]] || [[2014–15 WHL season|2014]]–2017 ||
|-
|align=center| 10 || [[Dallas Ferguson]] || [[2017–18 WHL season|2017–2018]] ||
|-
|align=center| 11 || Steve Hamilton || [[2018–19 WHL season|2018]]–[[2023–24 WHL season|2024]] ||
|-
|align=center| 12 || [[Paul McFarland]] || [[2024-25 WHL season|2024]]–present ||
|}

== Team records ==
[[File:Hitmenwalloffame.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Hitmen "Wall of Fame", hanging above section 104 at the [[Scotiabank Saddledome|Saddledome]].|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}}

{| class="wikitable" style="float:left; text-align: center; margin-right:1em"
|+ Team records for a single season
|- style="border-top:#E2373C 5px solid; border-bottom:#9F7152 5px solid;"
!Statistic!!Total!!Season
|-
|Most points||122||[[2008–09 WHL season|2008–09]]
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most wins||59||2008–09
|-
|Fewest points||34||[[1996-97 WHL season|1996–97]]
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Fewest wins ||15|| 1996–97
|-
|Most goals for||330||2008–09
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Fewest goals for||171||[[2010-11 WHL season|2010–11]]
|-
|Fewest goals against||155||[[2005-06 WHL season|2005–06]]
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most goals against||282||[[2016-17 WHL season|2016–17]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="float:left; text-align: center; margin-right:1em;"
|+ Individual player records for a single season
|- style="border-top:#E2373C 5px solid; border-bottom:#9F7152 5px solid;"
!Statistic!!Player!!Total!!Season
|-
|Most goals||[[Pavel Brendl]]||73||[[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]]
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most assists||[[Brad Moran (ice hockey)|Brad Moran]]||72||[[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000]]
|-
|Most points||Pavel Brendl||134||1998–99
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most penalty minutes||Ryan Andres||302||[[1997–98 WHL season|1997–98]]
|-
|Most saves (goalie)||Alexandre Fomitchev||1,481||1997–98
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Best GAA (goalie)||[[Justin Pogge]]||1.72||[[2005-06 WHL season|2005–06]]
|-
| colspan=4 style="border-bottom:1px #aaaaaa solid;" | ''Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played''
|}
{| class="wikitable" style= "text-align: center"
|+Career records
|- style="border-top:#E2373C 5px solid; border-bottom:#9F7152 5px solid;"
!Statistic
!Player
!Total
!Career
|-
|Most goals
|[[Brad Moran (ice hockey)|Brad Moran]]
|204
|1995–2000
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most assists
|Brad Moran
|246
|1995–2000
|-
|Most points
|Brad Moran
|450
|1995–2000
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most penalty minutes
|Mike Egener
|704
|2000–2004
|-
|Most games played
|Brad Moran
|357
|1995–2000
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most games (goalie)
|Dan Spence
|179
|2004–2008
|-
|Most shutouts (goalie)
|[[Martin Jones (ice hockey)|Martin Jones]]
|16
|2006–2010
|}
{{Clear left}}

== Awards and honours ==
[[File:Hitmen Scotty Munro Trophy.JPG|thumb|right|[[Carson McMillan]] 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.<ref name="Awards" /> 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 [[Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy|defenceman of the year]]<ref>{{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}}</ref>—and [[Brett Sonne]] won the trophy in 2008–09. Goaltender [[Martin Jones (ice hockey)|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>

[[Brad Moran (ice hockey)|Brad Moran]], the franchise's all-time leading scorer, had his number 20 retired in 2005, the first player to be so honoured.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Heinan |first=Laurence |title=Getzlaf etched in Hitmen history |work=Calgary Herald |date=2015-01-19 |page=D1}}</ref>

=== List of award recipients ===
{{unsourced-section|date=August 2024}}
<div style="float: left; width: 40%">
'''[[Four Broncos Memorial Trophy]]'''
<br /> ''Player of the year''
* [[Brad Moran (ice hockey)|Brad Moran]]: [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000]]
* [[Justin Pogge]]: [[2005–06 WHL season|2005–06]]
* [[Karl Alzner]]: [[2007–08 WHL season|2007–08]]
* [[Brett Sonne]]: [[2008–09 WHL season|2008–09]]

'''[[Bob Clarke Trophy]]'''
<br /> ''Top scorer''
* [[Pavel Brendl]]: [[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]]
* [[Brad Moran (ice hockey)|Brad Moran]]: [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000]]
* [[Brandon Kozun]]: [[2009–10 WHL season|2009–10]]

'''[[Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy|Doc Seaman Trophy]]'''
<br /> ''Scholastic player of the year''
* [[Chris Nielsen]]: [[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]], [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000]]

'''[[Brad Hornung Trophy]]'''
<br />''Most sportsmanlike player''
* Matt Kinch: [[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]], [[2000–01 WHL season|2000–01]]

'''[[Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy]]'''
<br /> ''Defenceman of the year''
* [[Brad Stuart]]: [[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]]
* [[Karl Alzner]]: [[2007–08 WHL season|2007–08]]

'''[[CHL Defenceman of the Year]]'''
* [[Brad Stuart]]: [[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]]
* [[Karl Alzner]]: [[2007–08 WHL season|2007–08]]

'''[[Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy]]'''
<br /> ''Rookie of the year''
* [[Pavel Brendl]]: [[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]]

'''[[CHL Top Draft Prospect Award]]'''
* [[Pavel Brendl]]: [[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]]
'''[[Del Wilson Trophy]]'''
<br /> ''Goaltender of the year''
* [[Justin Pogge]]: [[2005–06 WHL season|2005–06]]
* [[Martin Jones (ice hockey)|Martin Jones]]: [[2009–10 WHL season|2009–10]]</div>
<div style="float: right; width: 40%">
'''[[CHL Goaltender of the Year]]'''
* [[Justin Pogge]]: [[2005–06 WHL season|2005–06]]

'''[[Hap Emms Memorial Trophy]]'''
<br /> ''Top goaltender at the Memorial Cup''
* [[Martin Jones (ice hockey)|Martin Jones]]: [[2010 Memorial Cup|2010]]

'''[[Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy]]'''
<br /> ''Coach of the year''
* [[Dean Clark (ice hockey)|Dean Clark]]: [[1997–98 WHL season|1997–98]]

'''[[Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award]]'''
<br /> ''CHL coach of the year''
* [[Dean Clark (ice hockey)|Dean Clark]]: [[1997–98 WHL season|1997–98]]

'''[[Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy]]'''
<br /> ''Executive of the year''
* [[Kelly Kisio]]: [[2003–04 WHL season|2003–04]], [[2008–09 WHL season|2008–09]]

'''[[Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy]]'''
<br /> ''Humanitarian of the year''
* [[Chris Nielsen]]: [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000]]
* [[Cody Sylvester]]: [[2012–13 WHL season|2012–13]]

'''[[WHL Playoff MVP]]'''
* [[Brad Moran (ice hockey)|Brad Moran]]: [[1998–99 WHL season|1999]]
* [[Martin Jones (ice hockey)|Martin Jones]]: [[2009–10 WHL season|2010]]

'''[[WHL Plus-Minus Award]]'''
<br /> ''Top plus-minus''
* [[Pavel Brendl]]: [[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]]
* Kenton Smith: [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000]]
* [[Andrew Ladd]]: [[2003–04 WHL season|2003–04]]
* [[Clark Smith (ice hockey)|Clark Smith]]: [[2004-05 WHL season|2004-05]]
* [[Paul Postma]]: [[2008–09 WHL season|2008–09]]

'''[[St. Clair Group Trophy]]'''
<br /> ''Top marketing/public relations department''
* Mark Stiles: [[2003–04 WHL season|2003–04]]
* Kip Reghenas: [[2007–08 WHL season|2007–08]]
</div>

{{Clear left}}

== See also ==
* [[List of ice hockey teams in Alberta]]
* [[Ice hockey in Calgary]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== References ==
* 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}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Calgary Hitmen}}
* [https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/ Official website]

{{Calgary Hitmen}}
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