As the team photographer for the Calgary Hitmen for the 2015-2016 season, part of my job included capturing some of the behind the scenes of the team to help show the fans a different side of what they generally see on the ice. How the team prepares and a glimpse of who the players are when they are not in uniform.
I had originally started a blog with all my favourite images from the past season and I realized that I had FAR too many images that I loved and no one would spend the time to look through one long blog. I have decided to separate out the best ones into a few different posts and this one will be the first of many. Enjoy!
Jake Bean studies the wall of Hitmen award winners before taking the ice for warm up.
Jakob Stukel during the team stretch.
Layne Bensmiller, Jordy Stallard, Taylor Sanheim, Jakob Stukel, and Jake Bean on the bench before the pre game warm up. At least two of them tried to pretend I was not there…
Pavel Karnaukhov gives starting goaltender Kyle Dumba a high five before he hits the ice for game time.
Pavel Karnaukhov is the first one out of the dressing room before heading out on the ice for the game.
Captain Colby Harmsworth and Keegan Kanzig lead the team through the pre-game stretch.
Captain Colby Harmsworth in the tunnel before taking the ice for warm up. He always turned out the light when he entered the tunnel so it was always hard to get a nice clean photo, but I am good with this one. Plus if that is his routine, of course this photo is better than a well-lit one!
Jackson Houck preps his stick before his 100th game.
Rookie Matt Dorsey works out in the weight room before game time. Matt was the only player on the roster this season who did not get a chance to dress for a game because of an injury.
Goalie Nik Amundrud
Jackson Houck and Tyler Mrkonjic
Aaron Hymen heads out of the dressing room.
Andrew Fyten juggles outside the Flames dressing room before the pre game warm up. Oddly enough, Jake Bean was also juggling that day down the hall at the exact same time.
Jakob Stukel stretching before the pregame skate.
Captain Colby Harmsworth exits the dressing room before the start of the game.
Goalie Cody Porter in the tunnel before dressing for the pregame skate.
Keegan Kanzig arrives for the game.
Aaron Hymen staying warm on the bike after the pregame skate. This is probably my favourite bts photo from the season. I have never seen anyone full uniform and skates on a stationary bike before. So thanks Aaron for this.
Another angle of Captain Colby Harmsworth leaving the dressing room for game time.
Goalie Cody Porter taping his stick before the pregame skate.
Radel Fazleev messes with Jackson Houck’s ride in the weight room.
Strength and conditioning coach Sean Hope-Ross spots Aaron Hymen in the gym before warm up.
Goalie Kyle Dumba in the gym
Jake Bean warming up before the pregame skate.
Strength and conditioning coach Sean Hope-Ross leads goalie Kyle Dumba and Jakob LaPointe through a workout in the weight room.
Keegan Kanzig does his own warm up routine in the hallway before the pregame skate.
Jackson Houck messes with Aaron Hymen during their warm up in the weight room.
I know that not every player is represented in this post, but these are just a few of my personal favourite images. In the coming days/weeks, I will be posting more images from the past season, including my favourite images of hits, goals, fights, celebrations and more! Be sure to check back soon for more images.
Thanks:
It is a privilege to be trusted by the team to capture these types of images for them. So thank you to the Calgary Hitmen organization, staff, coaches and players for allowing me to be a part of your team this past season and capturing part of the history of your team.
Candice Ward Photography 