After suffering a disappointing Eastern Conference final loss to the Lethbridge Hurricanes last season, the Calgary Hitmen have been all business this season as goaltender Martin Jones and forwards Brett Sonne and Brandon Kozun have enjoyed quick starts.

Meanwhile, the OHL’s Brampton Battalion and the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes are boasting winning streaks of more than 10 games each.

Ontario Hockey League

Hot team: Brampton Battalion

The Brampton Battalion have certainly erased the memories of their slow start. Brampton opened the season with a 2-6 record but has since won 14 consecutive games. Forward Matt Duchene, who is looking every bit like a top five pick for this summer’s National Hockey League draft, was hot with two goals and five assists in three wins last week.

Hot player: Mathew Sisca, Niagara IceDogs

The sophomore forward has continued to climb up the league’s scoring chart after a red-hot performance last week. Sisca scored five goals and two assists for seven points in three games with a plus-3 rating. Two of his goals on Saturday were assisted by captain Alex Pietrangelo who was recently sent back to junior by the St. Louis Blues.

Cold team: Kingston Frontenacs

The long season in Kingston continues as the Frontenacs lost both games last week, one by way of a shootout. The Frontenacs have won just one game in their past 10 and currently sit in last place in the Eastern Conference standings with 15 points. One can’t help but wonder if some of their older players will soon be wearing different uniforms.

Cold player: Jason Missiaen, Peterborough Petes

Shortly after the Petes traded Trevor Cann to London, they acquired overage Ryan Daniels from the Saginaw Spirit. Missiaen’s role as the team’s starting goaltender could be in jeopardy as he had a rough week. The Montreal Canadiens’ fourth round pick last summer allowed 13 goals on just 108 shots for a .880 save percentage. He may need to step up his play with another veteran goaltender in town.

This week’s key match-up: Peterborough vs. London, Friday

Trevor Cann will suit up in his first game against his former team since being dealt to London recently. The 19-year-old goaltender has been steady since joining the Knights but many feel the best has yet to come from him this season. Meanwhile, the Petes will be looking to keep pace in the East Division as five points separate them from second place Ottawa. The Knights lead the Midwest Division but trail the Windsor Spitfires by seven points for first in the Western Conference standings.

Western Hockey League

Hot team: Calgary Hitmen

Despite playing four games in five nights, the Calgary Hitmen continue to steamroll the competition. The Hitmen won all four road games through the East Division, extending their winning streak to six. Calgary now leads the Eastern Conference standings by eight points over the Saskatoon Blades. Goaltender Martin Jones has been one of the reasons for their success and should garner consideration as the goaltender of the week.

Hot player: Andy Smith, Chilliwack Bruins

It didn’t take Smith long to make an impact since joining the Chilliwack Bruins from the Prince Albert Raiders. In one week with his new team, Smith scored four goals and added three assists with a plus-4 rating. His seven points in three games are only two less than the amount he produced with Prince Albert in 23 games this season.

Cold team: Swift Current Broncos

The Swift Current Broncos were on the wrong side of one-goal games last week. The Broncos lost all three games by a goal, extending their losing streak to five games. Swift Current will need to turn their fortunes around quickly as the top five teams in the East Division are separated by just 10 points.

Cold player: Jeff Bosch, Moose Jaw Warriors

The 18-year-old goaltender has made a poor first impression since being acquired from the Regina Pats. In two starts, Bosch has allowed 10 goals on 51 shots. On the bright side, he should be given plenty of room to grow on a young Moose Jaw squad.

This week’s key match-up: Tri-City vs. Kelowna, Wednesday

Two of the top Western Conference teams will face off for the third of four meetings this season Wednesday. The Americans can take the season series after winning the first two contests. Kelowna appears to be hitting their stride as their top players have performed well of late, including first round NHL pick Tyler Myers. The Americans, meanwhile, have fallen out of the top spot in the U.S. Division after leading the Spokane Chiefs for the majority of the season.

Québec Major Junior Hockey League

Hot team: Shawinigan Cataractes

The Cataractes were the undisputed hottest team in the league this past week. Shawinigan’s winning streak is now a franchise best 14 in a row. Overage forward Cédrick Lalonde-McNicoll has recorded a point in each game of the streak as he leads the league in scoring with 46 points in 23 games played.

Hot player: Yannick Riendeau, Drummondville Voltigeurs

The overage forward from Brossard, Que. is our hot player of the week for the second consecutive week after scoring three goals and four assists in three games. Riendeau has enjoyed playing against the Lewiston MAINEiacs of late, as he scored his third game-winner in as many contests against the MAINEiacs in less than two weeks. In his last three games against Lewiston, Riendeau has scored seven goals and four assists.

Cold team: Halifax Mooseheads

The Mooseheads managed just a single point in four road contests last week as their losing streak has now hit six games. Halifax sits in last place in the Atlantic Division, a position they will be hard-pressed to vacate as the season goes on. The Mooseheads are among the league’s worst at scoring goals and preventing them.

Cold player: Angelo Esposito, Montreal Juniors

The Montreal Juniors could certainly use a breakout from their star as the team scored just six goals in four games last week. Of those six goals, Esposito accounted for just one and was a minus-1 on the week. Now’s not the time to be slumping if the 19-year-old wants to make the Canadian world junior team in his fourth and final attempt.

This week’s key match-up: Québec vs. Drummondville, Thursday

Thursday’s tilt between the Remparts and Voltigeurs will be the first of the week as the league’s focus will shift to the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge on Monday and Wednesday. Both teams enter the week with identical 17-4-0-2 records on the season and are beginning to establish themselves as contenders.

The Voltigeurs snapped the Moncton Wildcats’ streak of points earned in consecutive games to open a season and road wins by beating them 3-2 on Saturday. The Remparts should be well prepared for this game as three of their last four games came against elite opponents.