Last season the Calgary Hitmen were one of the youngest teams in the Western Hockey League and they exceeded expectations. This year they want to build on that. Cass Bruni has taken over from Gary Davidson in the general manager chair and he says he wants more from the team. “This year we have 14 returning players so the mentality is just different,” he said. “I would say everyone has higher expectations for themselves. As a returning player the 17-years-olds (are) coming in as 18-year-olds (and) want to raise the bar higher. “I think for the staff and the coaching perspective the expectations are higher but the players themselves, they’re ready to get going.” Tu will be key One of the keys for the Hitmen will be goaltender Eric Tu took who took a big step last season. In 45 games, he had a 25-14-6 record and 2.79 goals against average. He wants to take another step in his game. “I think (to) just try to grow my game and try to improve every day and refine my details,” the 17-year-old said. “I know my ability to play and just being able to really refine the little things.” Earned a medal Tu spent part of his off-season in China where he helped his host country earn a silver medal in the World Hockey Championship Division One Group B. Tu says it’s an experience that will help him and one he’ll never forget. “Whenever you’re able to represent your country it’s a different feeling,” he said. “The pride and I think the atmosphere that you’re put int, it was unbelievable and hard to describe through words. I think for the upcoming season I’m able to bring that with me and hopefully that experience helps our season this year.” New face The Hitmen will have some new faces this season. One of them is 19-year-old rearguard Jakob Leander, who was also a seventh-round draft pick of the Calgary Flames in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leander is rooming with former Hitmen captain and fellow Swede Axel Hurtig who is trying to make the Wranglers this season. Leander says being in Calgary is great for him. “I have all eyes on me here so it’s much different than in Sweden where they can just watch me on TV. Here they can watch in real life.” The Hitmen’s pre-season opens Sept. 4 as they host the Red Deer Rebels at he Seven Chiefs Sportsplex.
