Hitmen Report: the streak continues

The Calgary Hitmen had a quiet last week of action, playing just a single game. But they kept rolling along, continuing their winning streak and pushing towards the top of the early Western Hockey League standings.

The Hitmen entered action as one of two teams without a regulation loss and riding a three game winning streak. Their good play and good fortune continued.

They played just once, facing Portland on Sunday afternoon. They won by a 5-2 score, never trailing for their third consecutive outing. They received goals from five different players: Egor Zamula, Jett Woo, Orca Wiesblatt, Josh Prokop and Tye Carriere. Jack McNaughton made 31 saves for his third win of the season. Forward Mark Kastelic made his return from Ottawa’s AHL camp and had an assist, while Vancouver Canucks prospect Carson Focht was a late scratch with an upper body injury (he’s day-to-day).

The Hitmen (4-0-1) and the Prince Albert Raiders (5-0-2) both remain undefeated in regulation. The Hitmen play twice this coming holiday weekend. On Saturday they head up to Edmonton to face the Oil Kings, then they return home on Monday to host the Saskatoon Blades at the Saddledome with a special holiday 2 p.m. start.

The team’s red-hot start has earned the Hitmen some national recognition.

The Hitmen are the fifth-ranked club in all of major junior hockey per the CHL’s weekly rankings.

NHL Central Scouting named defenseman Luke Prokop and goalie Jack McNaughton as “B-rated” prospects on their preliminary watch list for the 2020 NHL Draft. B-rated prospects are considered potential second or third round selections.

The Hitmen named their leadership group for 2019-20. Mark Kastelic will serve as captain for the second season in a row. He’s joined by alternates Dakota Krebs, Jett Woo, Carson Focht and Riley Stotts.