Calgary Hitmen struggle on WHL road, trade for overager Tyson Greenway

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It’s been a rough ride on a road trip through the far east of the Western Hockey League.

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But the Calgary Hitmen — at 2-7 — now have help on the way.

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The city’s major junior hockey squad has acquired 20-year-old forward Tyson Greenway from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft.

“We are adding a veteran overage player to our team who brings experience and plays a heavy game,” said Hitmen director of hockey operations Garry Davidson. “Not only will he help us up front, but we see him playing a part in our leadership group, as well.”

Tyson Greenway was drafted by the Americans in the fourth round (80th overall) in the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft.

The 2003-born forward is coming off a career high year, registering 42 points (27g, 15a) in 68 games in the 2022-23 season.

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Greenway has played 210 career WHL games.

With this acquisition, the Hitmen have filled their last overage spot on the roster.

And with him in the lineup soon, the club hopes to reverse its current form.

The Hitmen have lost their last four games of the current six-game road swing, with the latest coming Saturday night, when they fell 2-0 to the host Saskatoon Blades (6-2).

Stellar goaltending on both sides was the catalyst of a close contest, but a power-play goal from Egor Sidorov of the Blades at 10:39 in the first period proved to be the lone goal of the game until an empty-netter by teammate Vaughn Watterodt.

There was no lack of Grade A chances for the Calgary Hitmen, who tested goaltender Austin Elliot to the last whistle, registering 31 shots and outshooting the home team by four.

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Ethan Buenaventura was outstanding in the Hitmen net with 25 saves. Among the second star’s many highlights was a shorthanded breakaway save off Rowan Calvert in the final five minutes, keeping the visitors within reach.

One night earlier, the Hitmen lost a 7-2 affair to the host Prince Albert Raiders.

Earlier on the road trip, they dropped respective 5-4 and 5-3 games to the Regina Pats and the Moose Jaw Warriors. They followed a win to kickoff the swing — a 4-3 edge of the host Brandon Wheat Kings on Oct. 7.

One more game caps the Hitmen run of games away from home, when they head south on Hwy. 2 to play the host Lethbridge Hurricanes (5-4-1) on Wednesday night (7 p.m.).

They then return home for a pair of games Friday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.) against the Seattle Thunderbirds (3-1) and Hurricanes, respectively.

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