Patrick King

The Calgary Hitmen are in the WHL final again, but hope history doesn't repeat itself.

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

That cliché sums up the Calgary Hitmen’s fortunes the past few years. A constant threat through the regular season, the Hitmen haven’t found a way to get hitched to the Western Hockey League championship since first winning it in 1999.

The Hitmen are now back in the WHL finals for the second consecutive year, but one can’t help but wonder if the outset will change from the close calls and playoff disappointments that have plagued the team.

As heartbreaking as their playoff finishes have been, none was more painful than a year ago. The Hitmen were a near-flawless team that finished with 122 points, just three away from the WHL and Canadian Hockey League record. That team will go down as one of the most talented teams not to win a championship.

The Kelowna Rockets spoiled the party last year. Kelowna had upset the Vancouver Giants in the previous round before providing an even bigger upset against the heavily-favoured Hitmen in the final.

While many Hitmen players returned from last year’s squad, just as many departed through junior graduation. It’s for that reason their success this season is somewhat surprising.

The downfall of last year’s team and the difference this year is simple, says veteran forward Brandon Kozun.

"We were such a dominant team that it seemed like everything kind of went our way and this year we’ve had to work for a lot more and face a lot more adversity," he said. "I think that adversity is definitely going to come into play and definitely help us out in the finals."

The Hitmen never faced much adversity in 2009. After going a perfect 12-0 through the first three rounds, Calgary dropped the first three games of the final to the Rockets. The Hitmen won the next two, but were unable to dig out of the hole and eventually lost in six.

Adversity came much quicker this year. The top-ranked Hitmen were down 3-1 to the No. 8 Moose Jaw Warriors in the opening round and it appeared another disappointment was in the works. Calgary rallied to win Game 7 against Moose Jaw and eliminated its opposition in one fewer game in each successive round.

The disappointment of a year ago is evident among the returning players, but the motivation it provided has been invaluable.

"The big thing with us is we still remember what it felt like to lose last year," Kozun said. "We know that if we lose or if we give up that first goal that we can come back from it and win the game."

"We ran through all the teams pretty quick last year and I think this year obviously we’ve had our hiccups and haven’t been able to get through the series as easily as last year," Hitmen general manager Kelly Kisio said. "It’s probably forced our guys to come together as a team and play probably a little harder than they had to last year."

Adversity had been hard for the Hitmen to overcome in previous years. The year following their only title, the team posted its second best point total in franchise history with 120. Like their best season in franchise history, playoff disappointment ensued as that team lost in five to the eventual league champion Kootenay Ice in the Eastern Conference Final.

Calgary’s track record of developing top pro prospects was evident in the mid-2000s with players such as Ryan Getzlaf, Andrew Ladd and Karl Alzner emerging from their program.

Ironically, the year following Getzlaf and Ladd’s graduation proved to be one of the best in franchise history. That team finished with 101 points in 2006, but surprisingly fell to Moose Jaw in the second round.

Those playoff disappointments don’t hide the fact this team is a perennial powerhouse, but the lack of championships is astonishing.

Although the Hitmen are back in a familiar situation, they’re taking nothing for granted. They know the volatility of playoff hockey better than most.

Their last series win perhaps signals a changing of the guard. Calgary dispatched the Memorial Cup host Brandon Wheat Kings in five games and is noticeably getting stronger as the playoffs continue.

The last team standing in Calgary’s way is the Tri-City Americans. The hunger of past disappointments is driving this year’s version of the Hitmen to achieve where others failed.

Motivation won’t be a concern for the team’s management.

"If you’re not excited to play these games and be in the league finals then it’s time to fold up the tent and go home," Kisio said. "Our guys will be ready to go as I’m sure Tri will."

A championship would have been more likely last season than this year. But if that elusive title comes a year later than most expected, those critics will be silenced.

"I don’t think anyone really cares about which team was better, last year or this year," Kozun said. "I think everyone’s just focusing on this year and winning the championship. I think anyone could care less if last year’s team was better than this year’s or vice-versa as long as we win."