Tuesday, June 21, 2011

HITMEN'S BRAD WHELEN JOINS NHL'S LIGHTNING

Press Release

Calgary, AB – The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club is pleased to announce Assistant General Manager and Head Scout Brad Whelen has accepted a position with the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning.

Whelen will begin his new post as Western Canadian Scout on July 1st.

“Brad did a tremendous job with the Calgary Hitmen and it comes as no surprise an NHL job has come his way,” said Hitmen General Manager, Executive Vice President and Alternate Governor Kelly Kisio. “He has an excellent eye for talent and is one of the top up and coming individuals in the game. I have no doubt Brad will continue to succeed at the NHL level.”

Whelen has spent the last 15 seasons with the Hitmen. His first five seasons saw Brad serve in a regional scouting position before spending the last 10 seasons as Head Scout. In the summer of 2010 Whelen was also promoted into the dual role of Assistant General Manager and Head Scout.

During his time with the Hitmen, Whelen and his scouting staff helped build several contending teams thanks to strong results in the Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. Standout Hitmen players such as Martin Jones (4th round), Ryan White (4th round), Ryan Getzlaf (3rd round), Karl Alzner (2nd round) and Michael Stone (4th round) where all selected by the franchise with Whelen at the helm.

In addition, 16 players from the 2010 Ed Chynoweth Cup Champion Calgary Hitmen were either drafted or listed by Whelen and his scouting staff.

The search for a new Calgary Hitmen Head Scout will begin immediately.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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