Calgary Hitmen forward Blake Vanek hopes to follow in father’s skates

The Calgary Hitmen added forward Blake Vanek at the WHL's trade deadline, and the forward is fitting in very well.

The Calgary Hitmen added forward Blake Vanek from the Wenatchee Wild at the WHL’s trade deadline, and he has fit in very well.

In six games, the 6’3” forward has scored four goals.

Vanek says he was happy about the trade.

“I was very excited,” said the 18-year-old.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about Calgary, so it was definitely a good feeling.

“I try to be more of a power forward. Just play as physically as I can and get the pucks to the net and hopefully score.”

Father played in NHL

The name Vanek might be familiar to you.

Blake’s dad, Thomas, played in the NHL for 15 seasons, scoring 373 goals and adding 416 assists.

Blake says he’s learned a lot from his father.

“Just growing up having him, and if I ever needed anything, I just gave him a call,” said the younger Vanek.

“Or if he has anything for me, he just gives me tips and has helped a lot.

“Coming from such a young age until now and being able to get help the whole way has definitely helped.”

Head coach Dustin Friesen says when you have bloodlines like that, it can only help.

“Obviously, (he has) an elite hockey mind as a father, so just having that influence in his game I think is extremely valuable,” he said.

“Also, being around good players and the teams his dad has been around, you’re just fully immersed in that hockey culture.”

Grew up a rink rat

The 18-year-old was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the third round of the 2025 NHL entry draft.

And he would love to one day make it to the NHL just like his dad.

In his younger years, he got to hang around the rink with his father and says it’s a good memory to look back on.

“I don’t know if I thought much about it growing up because I was so young,” he said.

“But now, looking back, it was definitely a cool opportunity to see how NHL life was.”

Vanek and the Hitmen are back in action Friday night as they travel to Red Deer to take on the Rebels.