It’s our first Sunday afternoon CHL game in what is part of our package moving forward for the rest of the regular season. The idea is to fit-in nicely between our early NHL game and the start of Hometown Hockey to give you a Sunday full of puck.
The matchup is a good one, featuring two of the top teams in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. The Calgary Hitmen play host to the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The Wheaties are the top team in the conference having lost just nine times in regulation through the first 42 games of the regular season. As has been the case the past couple of campaigns, Brandon boasts a stellar defensive corps featuring the likes of veterans Reid Gow, Eric Roy, Ryan PIlon and projected first rounder Ivan Provorov.
Up front, Brandon’s top nine forwards are the envy of the CHL. First-rounders Morgan Klimchuk and John Quenneville are augmented by the pesky Jayce Hawryluk, import Rihards Bukarts and super rookie Nolan Patrick. The Wheat Kings are the highest-scoring team in the WHL averaging almost 4.5 per game.
Expected to be a top contender in the WHL this season, Calgary has taken some time to adjust to new head coach Mark French and the graduation of goaltender Chris Driedger.
The Hitmen are lead by Vancouver first-rounder and world junior gold medalist Jake Virtanen. With off-season shoulder surgery and time missed at the world juniors, Virtanen has played in just 22 games, but he’s produced more than a point per game. Calgary possesses a balanced attack with 16 players at 13 or more points.
Calgary is big and mobile on the back end, lead by first-rounder Travis Sanheim. The Hitmen acquired man mountain Keegan Kanzig in a trade and that should aid in his development as he’s a Flames draft pick. Rookie Jake Bean, Tampa prospect Ben Thomas and the ever improving Michael Zipp make up the top five.
In goal, Mack Shields has carried the load, but the Hitmen traded for Brendan Burke at the deadline. Burke is more than capable as a back-up and should help push Shields and, at the very least, relieve some of his workload.
Rogers Hometown Hockey is in Moncton this week.
Also, if you’re curious as to what the world’s best junior players do to win, here’s your answer: #WhatToWin.
Brandon Wheat Kings: 29-9-3-1 (14-6-0-1 Road), 2L (1st Eastern Division, 1st Eastern Conference) 3rd BMO CHL Top 10
Individual Stats
In Goal
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Morgan Klimchuk (CAL 28th 2013)
John Quenneville (NJ 30th 2014)
Jayce Hawryluk (FLA 32nd 2014)
Eric Roy (CAL 135th 2013)
Reid Duke (MIN 169th 2014)
Peter Quenneville (CLB 195th 2013)
NHL Central Scouting
PTW A
Ivan Provorov
PTW B
Ryan Pilon
PTW C
Rihards Bukarts
Jordan Papirny
Under The Radar
Tim McGauley: Hard to imagine the forward who plays the most minutes and leads the team in scoring is under the radar until you consider all the name players surrounding him in Brandon. McGauley is a model of consistency.
Calgary Hitmen: 23-15-1-3 (13-9-0-0 Home) 1W, 3rd Central Division, 5th Eastern Conference
Individual Stats
In Goal
| Team Stats | Rank |
| PP: 34/152 22.4% | 6th |
| PK: 31/177 82.5% | 7th |
| GF per game: 4.05 | 3rd |
| GA per game: 3.12 | 9th |
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Jake Virtanen (VAN 6th 2014)
Travis Sanheim (PHI 17th 2014)
Adam Tambellini (NYR 65th 2013)
Keegan Kanzig (CAL 67th 2013)
Ben Thomas (TB 119th 2014)
Chase Lang (MIN 167th 2014)
Radel Fazleev (PHI 168th 2014)
Kenton Helgesen (ANA 187th 2012)
NHL Central Scouting
PTW C
Pavel Karnaukhov
Under The Radar
Kenton Helgesen: He has played both forward and defence for the past couple of years, does both well and wears the “C.” What more could you ask for?