Strathmore enjoys WHL action

Posted on: J A McRae

 
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
 
The Strathmore Family Centre was the place to be Sept. 14 for fast, hard-hitting, action-packed hockey as the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen hosted the Medicine Hat Tigers.
With a capacity crowd on hand, players on both squads were looking to impress their respective coaches and earn a spot in the regular season lineup.
One of those players eyeing a position with the Hitmen was defenceman Keaton Lubin, who toiled with the UFA Bisons last season. After scoring two goals and 17 assists with the local triple-A midget team, the 16-year-old hopes to lock a position with the Calgary junior team, which lost the exhibition contest 3-1 to the Tigers.
“I have to keep it simple and try and make this team,” said Lubin. “I have to work on my D zone a little more … one-on-one, coming out of the corners – stuff like that.”
According to Lubin, playing in the WHL is exciting. However, playing in your old stomping grounds with a WHL team is even better.
“It feels great,” said the defenceman, who has two more years of eligibility in triple-A midget ranks. “The old team was practicing there on the other side, so some of the guys were watching. 
“I had a great year here and I developed a lot. I became a better puck moving defenceman (by playing) for this team. I love the ice here – it’s big.”
Hitmen goaltender Michael Snider, who holds a 26-7-2 record in the WHL as a backup goaltender, is hoping to take the reins as the starter this season.
The former UFA Bisons netminder, who also enjoyed his mini-homecoming in Strathmore, was all business between the pipes.
“I’m still trying to prove a point to the coaches,” said Snider. “I need to be the number one guy this year, so I need to step up and win games for the team. In a game like this I needed to battle and keep the team in it – I think I did that.”
However, despite the loss, the Hitmen enjoyed their trip to Strathmore, said head coach Mike Williamson.
“It’s fantastic, the support we’ve gotten through the three games so far in the smaller communities,” said the coach. “A lot of the guys are from smaller centres, so it’s nice to be able to give back a little bit as you do get support from the smaller communities.”