The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club handed out its player awards in a special on-ice ceremony ahead of Saturday evening’s puck drop at the Scotiabank Saddledome, honouring the team’s best from the 2016-17 Western Hockey League regular season.

Hitmen forward Matteo Gennaro received the prestigious Player of the Year and Leading Scorer awards.  The 19-year-old centre enters tonight’s regular season finale with a team-high 78 points, including career-highs in goals (43) and assists (35), in 68 games played.  The Winnipeg Jets prospect had a stellar January, recording at least a point in 13 of 15 contests to lead all WHL players that month with 29 points (20g, 9a).  Past recipients of this notable award include Cody Sylvester, Brandon Kozun, Martin Jones, Karl Alzner and Ryan Getzlaf.

Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop Top Defenceman honours went to Jake Bean.  The Calgary, Alberta, native opens the last game of the 2016-17 campaign with seven goals and 44 points in 42 contests.  Earlier this season, the Carolina Hurricanes prospect helped Team Canada earn a silver medal at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.

The pre-game ceremony also recognized 19 billet families, WHL off-ice official Dean Siemens, who is retiring from the Calgary Hitmen crew after 22 years of service, and the three over-age graduating players in captain Micheal Zipp, alternate captain Tyler Mrkonjic and goaltender Trevor Martin.

2016-17 Calgary Hitmen Team Awards