On Friday night, the Calgary Hitmen will step on the ice to start their 32nd season in the WHL. The Hitmen will face the Red Deer Rebels in their home opener. Wyatt Pisarczyk is from Airdrie, and he says he’s excited to start the season and to play in the Scotiabank Saddledome for its final season. “It comes up fast,” said the 19-year-old defenceman. “It was a good summer, but I think all of the boys are ready to get back to it, and we’ve got a competitive group, so all of the boys are pretty excited. “Great group. Obviously, we’ve got a lot of returners, so I already know a lot of the guys, but all of the new guys that are coming in are outstanding. “They’ve been looking good; they all compete well and work hard. That’s all you can ask for.” Rebels up first Last season, the Rebels finished eighth in the East. But head coach Dustin Friesen says don’t let that fool you: this is a new season, and he expects the Rebels to be much better. “They have a good foundation there too, and they have a new head coach (Brent Kisio),” said Friesen. “We played them twice (in the pre-season), and they’re playing hard. I think they’ll definitely take a step from where they were last year, so it’s going to be a hard game every time we play against them. “But early in the season, you just have to take care of your own group.” New face The Hitmen will have some new faces in the lineup this season. Nineteen-year-old forward Brennan Brown was acquired from the Swift Current Broncos in the off-season for Ty Meunier. Brown says he can hardly wait to get his Hitmen journey started. “Obviously, the first thought is you’re coming to a great team,” said Brown. “They were in the playoffs last year and made a pretty decent run, so that’s exciting to be part of a winning culture and an organization that is so professional and just so welcoming, too. “One of the first things I noticed was how welcoming everyone was.” Ready to take another step Seventeen-year-old forward Shaun Hildebrandt put up three goals and added eight assists in 63 games last season as a rookie. Despite it being just his second season in the league, Hildebrant says he wants to be more of a leader this season. “Obviously, you embrace that,” he said. “Seeing yourself as a leader, you want that role and you’ll do anything you can to help the team. “Just being there and motivating the boys and embracing the role.” Puck drop for Friday’s game will be a little after 7 p.m.
