Hitmen return to first place with 6-2 win over Rebels in Red Deer

The Calgary Hitmen defeated Red Deer 6-2 Friday night. (Photo: X@WHLRebels)

The Calgary Hitmen climbed back into a three-way tie for first place in the Eastern Division by defeating the Red Deer Rebels 6-2.

After Kalem Parker gave the Hitmen a 1-0 lead in the first period, the team scored three more in the second, getting goals from Dax Williams, Ethan Moore and Sawyeer Mayes to build a 4-0 lead after two.

Red Deer responded 40 seconds into the third, getting one from Carson Birnie, but Carter Yakemchuk responded with a power play marker to make it 5-1.

Jaxon Fuder cut the score to 5-2, scoring shorthanded at 6:05. Oliver Tulk added a power play goal with a little over three minutes left to make it 6-2 for the Hitmen.

The Blades and Tigers both lost Friday night, meaning Calgary picked up two points on both of them. The three teams all have 44 points.

Ben Kindel had three points for the Hitmen, extending his scoring streak to 19 games, best in the league.

Next up for the Hitmen is a Sunday matinee against Regina. It’s the start of a five-game homestand for the club.

Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Hitmen deal for Canucks prospect

Saturday afternoon, the Hitmen also announced they've acquired defenceman Sawyer Mynio from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for defenceman Linden Burrett, forward Sawyer  Mayes, a first-round and fourth-round draft pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft and a first-round and fourth-round pick in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft.

Mynio, in his fourth WHL season, was serving as co-captain of the Thunderbirds. He registered five goals and 14 assists in 18 games so far in the 2024-25 season. He's a 2023 third-round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks who has over 40 games of post-season experience, including the 2023 WHL Championship and an appearance in the Memorial Cup.

Mynio will join the Hitmen when he returns from the IHF World Juniors in Ottawa, where he was part of Team Canada.

"We have acquired one of the top defencemen in the Western Hockey League," said Hitmen general manager Garry Davidson, in a release. "Sawyer will be a critical piece in our second half drive and in our pursuit of a playoff run."