For the second time this off-season, a Calgary hockey club has mutually parted ways with its general manager. On Friday afternoon, the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen announced that they have mutually parted ways with GM Jeff Chynoweth.

201In the media release, Hitmen vice-president and governor Mike Moore was quoted: “Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation would like to thank Jeff for his six years with the Hitmen and wish him success moving forward.”

Chynoweth joined the Hitmen as GM in July 2017, replacing Moore, who had added various responsibilities to his own plate and relinquished the GM job to Chynoweth. An experienced WHL GM, Chynoweth had guided the Kootenay Ice in various capacities dating back to 1995, including 16 seasons as their GM. He had also spent time in roles with the Spokane Chiefs, Medicine Hat Tigers, Brandon Wheat Kings, Lethbridge Hurricanes and Red Deer Rebels.

Junior hockey is cyclical, but the Hitmen didn’t have a ton of on-ice or playoff success during Chynoweth’s six seasons, never finishing higher than third place in the WHL’s Central Division. Sure, the playoffs were cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic twice (2019-20 and 2020-21), but the Hitmen only made the playoffs twice in the other four seasons and only advanced past the first round once (2018-19).

During Chynoweth’s tenure, seven Hitmen players were drafted by NHL clubs. Only three – 2019 fifth-rounder Carson Focht (Vancouver), 2019 fifth-rounder Mark Kastelic (Ottawa) and 2020 third-rounder Luke Prokop (Nashville) – signed entry-level deals following their selection. Blueliner Carter Yakemchuk, added to the Hitmen fold via the bantam draft under Chynoweth, is anticipated to become a first-round selection in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft.

We’ll have more on this story as it develops. The Hitmen begin their pre-season on Sept. 8 and their regular season on Sept. 22.