Hitmen trade with Americans

The Hitmen might have found their goalie of the present and future in Chris Kriedger. He is a 17 year old who seems to have a boat load of potential, I would say he is guaranteed one of the 2 spots on the team come the start of the season.

The big question is, who is the 2nd goalie on the roster? The Hitmen could go with a) Snider-Kriedger b)Glover-Kriedger or c) Kriedger-Shields. Its going to come down to which of those other 3 has the best camp, Snider will be an overager and in my opinion not worth one of those 3 spots. If it is Glover, I could see Glover and Kriedger really splitting the time. If the Hitmen are in no position to contend for a playoff spot this coming season, I wouldn't mind seeing them go with the 2 young kids with Kriedger being the starter and Shields backing him up.

Calgary Hitmen General Manager, Executive Vice President and Alternate Governor Kelly Kisio announced today the acquisition of 17-year-old goaltender Chris Driedger (DREE-ger) from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for a third round pick in the 2012 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Driedger joins the Hitmen with an impressive resume having recently attended Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence goaltending camp where he was one of just 16 invites, including four from the WHL.

The 6’2” 175lbs. Winnipeg, MB product is coming off a solid rookie season in the WHL where he posted a record of 6-6-0-1 with a 3.50 goals against average and a .881 save percentage with the Americans.

Driedger also played in the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge this past holiday season as the number one goalie for Team West.

“We are very excited to acquire an elite up and coming goaltender in our league,” says Kisio. “Chris will help shore up our goaltending and put our club in a strong position for the future.”

Driedger joins fellow goaltenders 20-year-old Michael Snider and 19-year-old Brandon Glover on the Hitmen roster.

Full article right here.