Latest news with #Hitmen
Calgary Herald
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Meet the new Calgary Hitmen coaches: Dustin Friesen named 13th bench boss
Article content Friesen brings a wealth of experience from an 11-year professional career as a player, including three seasons in the American Hockey League and eight seasons in Germany, with whom he served as captain of ERC Ingolstadt and won a DEL2 Championship. Article content Before turning pro, he spent five seasons with the University of New Brunswick Reds, captaining the program to two U SPORTS' titles. Article content And before that, he played for four seasons with the WHL's Swift Current Broncos. Article content 'He's played both forward and defence,' added Davidson of Friesen. 'That's an interesting appreciation for both positions.' Article content One assistant joining Friesen is a Hitmen legend. Article content Brad Moran is arguably the best player ever to play for the club, as the franchise leader in games played (357), goals (204), assists (246) and points (450) during his five-year career from 1995-2000. His iconic No. 20 is the only jersey number retired by the organization. Article content Article content Moran has since helped turn around the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Calgary Canucks, transitioning them quickly from a weak team in the Tier 2 junior loop into a powerhouse that culminated in May with a Centennial Cup title after capturing two straight AJHL championships. Moran spent seven years with the Canucks. Article content 'Brad is a real good fit with the whole group, because he's a guy that knows what the offence is all about,' Davidson said. 'He achieved big-time at the Western league and professionally offensively. Article content 'And I really watched him the last couple of years lead the Canucks here. Got to go out and watch games. I'm sure he's going to really help us with forwards, and I'm sure he'll be heavily involved with a power play, from what I gather.' Article content Helping to coach up the defence is Friesen's other assistant in Dakota Krebs, who gets a promotion from being the team's video coach last season. Article content Article content A former Hitmen defenceman, Krebs played for the club from 2018-20 following three seasons with the WHL's Tri-City Americans. He later spent four years with the University of Calgary Dinos, with whom he served as an assistant captain for two seasons and earned a bachelor of commerce degree. Article content 'I'm really excited about both Brad and Dakota,' Friesen said. 'Both are Calgary Hitmen alumni, which I think is a really important piece. They already have that pride instilled in them after both having really good careers with the Calgary Hitmen. So I think that's part of building the program and building the team. Article content 'So you have that investment from the coaching staff that's just contagious with the players, and then obviously that leads to a high-performance atmosphere. And what we're trying to develop here in Calgary.' Article content McFarland got offered a gig he couldn't refuse — that from the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, joining head coach Kris Knoblauch behind the bench as an assistant. He'll help coach the forwards and be responsible for the much-vaunted power play. Article content 'We knew Paul was interviewing for jobs,' Davidson said. 'So it wasn't like we were caught sort of asleep. We weren't caught asleep. We were making sure that we were looking at some potential people out there, and so we had a bit of a short list. But that short-list got even shorter because we did lose some candidates that took other jobs. Article content But that's the way it goes. Article content 'And from Day 1, we identified Dustin as a real quality candidate.' Article content McFarland's two assistants also left the Hitmen, as Ben Wilson stepped away from coaching to pursue personal opportunities and David Liffiton moved over to the AHL's Calgary Wranglers to become an assistant coach with them. Article content 'I think we're all about moving people on, whether it's players or staff,' Davidson said. 'So … yeah … it's positive. Article content 'But it also comes with having to figure out what we're going to do going forward, which I think we've now got figured out.' Article content 'I knew that Paul had some potential opportunities in the American League, and obviously, the Edmonton job came up,' added Friesen. 'They reached out to me … and I'm very excited and honoured to be in this position.'
Ottawa Citizen
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Meet the new Calgary Hitmen coaches: Dustin Friesen named 13th bench boss
Dustin Friesen admits his road to becoming a bench boss wasn't by way of a typical hockey route. Article content There were many stops and years playing the game — nine, in fact, over a whopping 20 seasons — compared to just a handful teaching the sport. And even at that, the Saskatchewan native has only been a head coach of high-school talent. Article content Article content But that didn't stop the Calgary Hitmen from making him the 13th head coach of the storied Western Hockey League franchise. Article content Article content 'Yeah … they had some interest in my experience, which I think is fairly unique experience, I would say,' said Friesen, who was named to the gig by the Hitmen last Friday a few weeks after Paul McFarland returned to the NHL after one season leading the WHL club. Article content Article content 'Both as a player, which is probably not the most traditional route for coaching, and the same thing as a coach, I've been in different leagues,' continued Friesen. 'And coaching in the Prairie Hockey Academy and working with young players and building a program has given me a bit of a unique background. But I think it's been valuable in my journey.' Article content Friesen joins the Hitmen on a multi-year deal after a standout season as associate coach of the Québec Major Junior Hockey League's Moncton Wildcats, with whom he helped lead the team to a championship and a Memorial Cup appearance. Article content 'I had a really good situation in Moncton,' said 42-year-old Friesen, a native of Waldheim, Sask. 'But, obviously, to be a head coach, that was my goal since I started coaching. Article content Article content 'And to be close to my family (wife Katherine and daughters Karen, 16, Nova, 11, and Evelyn 7 in Caronport, Sask.) in the Western league is obviously another priority.' Article content Article content Prior to his time in the Canadian Hockey League, Friesen served as head coach of the PHA's under-18 prep team of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League from 2021-24. Article content He also contributed to the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2023–24 season, when the Warriors captured its first-ever league championship and competed at the Memorial Cup. Article content 'I just think when you look at where he's been, what he's done …' Davidson said. 'I mean … he's tracked through junior hockey, went to college and got a degree, and he went to Europe and played professionally there. He's been involved with two Memorial Cup teams. Article content 'I guess the only thing really hasn't been a head coach before, but I don't have any issues with that. I think he's going to come in here and just carry on with what he's been doing here, only he'll be the guy in charge, and I know all of us around him will give him all the support he needs.'
Ottawa Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Calgary Hitmen name Dustin Friesen 12th head coach in franchise history
Article content The Calgary Hitmen announce Dustin Freisen as the 12th head coach in franchise history. Article content 'We are excited to welcome Dustin as our new head coach,' said general manager Garry Davidson. 'He is a proven winner at every level in his playing career and has had a direct impact on championship teams in the past two seasons.' Article content Article content 'He has a passion to develop players and to create a strong culture. We know he will lead and guide our team and build on our progression and success from last season.' Article content Friesen joins the Hitmen on a multi-year deal after a standout season as associate coach of the Moncton Wildcats, where he helped lead the team to a QMJHL championship and a Memorial Cup appearance. Prior to his time in the CHL, Friesen served as head coach of the Prairie Hockey Academy's U18 Prep team (CSSHL) from 2021 to 2024. He also contributed to the Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2023–24 season, capturing the teams first-ever WHL championship. Article content Article content Friesen brings a wealth of experience from an 11-year professional playing career, including three seasons in the AHL and eight seasons in Germany, where he served as captain of ERC Ingolstadt and won a DEL2 championship. Before turning pro, he spent five seasons with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Reds where he captained the team to two USports titles. His junior career includes four seasons with the Swift Current Broncos. Article content Article content Article content Joining Friesen on the bench is Hitmen alumnus Brad Moran as assistant coach. Moran played five seasons with the club from 1995 to 2000. Following a successful career as a player, Moran transitioned into coaching and has spent the past seven years with the AJHL's Calgary Canucks. As head coach and general manager for the last six seasons, he guided the team to two AJHL championships and a Centennial Cup title this year. Article content Moran remains the Hitmen franchise's all-time leader in games played (357), goals, assists, and points, with an impressive 450 points (204 goals, 246 assists). His number 20 is the only jersey number retired by the organization. Article content Also returning as assistant coach is Dakota Krebs, who joined the team's coaching staff last season as video coach. A Hitmen alumnus, Krebs played for the club from 2018 to 2020 following three seasons with the Tri-City Americans. He later spent four years with the University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey program, where he served as an assistant captain for two seasons and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Calgary Hitmen name Dustin Friesen 12th head coach in franchise history
Article content The Calgary Hitmen announce Dustin Freisen as the 12th head coach in franchise history. Article content 'We are excited to welcome Dustin as our new head coach,' said general manager Garry Davidson. 'He is a proven winner at every level in his playing career and has had a direct impact on championship teams in the past two seasons.' Article content 'He has a passion to develop players and to create a strong culture. We know he will lead and guide our team and build on our progression and success from last season.' Article content Friesen joins the Hitmen on a multi-year deal after a standout season as associate coach of the Moncton Wildcats, where he helped lead the team to a QMJHL championship and a Memorial Cup appearance. Prior to his time in the CHL, Friesen served as head coach of the Prairie Hockey Academy's U18 Prep team (CSSHL) from 2021 to 2024. He also contributed to the Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2023–24 season, capturing the teams first-ever WHL championship. Article content Article content Friesen brings a wealth of experience from an 11-year professional playing career, including three seasons in the AHL and eight seasons in Germany, where he served as captain of ERC Ingolstadt and won a DEL2 championship. Before turning pro, he spent five seasons with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Reds where he captained the team to two USports titles. His junior career includes four seasons with the Swift Current Broncos. Article content Article content Article content Joining Friesen on the bench is Hitmen alumnus Brad Moran as assistant coach. Moran played five seasons with the club from 1995 to 2000. Following a successful career as a player, Moran transitioned into coaching and has spent the past seven years with the AJHL's Calgary Canucks. As head coach and general manager for the last six seasons, he guided the team to two AJHL championships and a Centennial Cup title this year. Article content Moran remains the Hitmen franchise's all-time leader in games played (357), goals, assists, and points, with an impressive 450 points (204 goals, 246 assists). His number 20 is the only jersey number retired by the organization. Article content Also returning as assistant coach is Dakota Krebs, who joined the team's coaching staff last season as video coach. A Hitmen alumnus, Krebs played for the club from 2018 to 2020 following three seasons with the Tri-City Americans. He later spent four years with the University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey program, where he served as an assistant captain for two seasons and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Ottawa Citizen
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Calgary Hitmen unveil 2025-26 schedule; home opener set for Sept. 20
Article content The Hitmen will launch their campaign with a home-and-home series against the Lethbridge Hurricanes, starting on Friday, Sept. 19 at the Arena. The set then shifts to the Scotiabank Saddledome the following night for the Hitmen's home opener. Article content Article content Hitmen training camp will take place in late August followed by five pre-season games in September. Calgary will play a 68-game regular-season slate, evenly split between home and away contests. All home games will be played at the Saddledome. Article content Article content This season includes a return to the B.C. Division, featuring a historic first matchup against the expansion Penticton Vees on Jan. 17. Article content In addition to regular-season games, Calgary will welcome the 2026 NHL Draft Top Prospects as one of the host cities for the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge on Nov. 25 at the Saddledome. The challenge is a two-game series that sees the top NHL Draft-eligible prospects from the CHL's member Leagues (WHL, OHL and QMJHL) compete against those from USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-18 Team.
