Coleman brings physicality, and music, to Hitmen
His given name is Luke.
But his teammates call him ‘Ronnie.’
“It’s from bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman,” explained Calgary Hitmen forward Luke Coleman, who earned the nickname when he broke into the Western Hockey League with the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2014-15 season. “I got it when I was 16, and it kind of stuck ever since then.”
Hitmen captain Matteo Gennaro made sure the nickname also stuck in the Stampede City when the Hitmen acquired Coleman from the Raiders at the WHL trade deadline last season in a deal that saw forward Jordy Stallard go the other way.
“I played with Matteo in Prince Albert, and he introduced it here,” said the 6-foot-2, 209-lb. leftwinger who hails from Red Deer. “It’s kind of funny.”
While he’s just about 100 lb. lighter than the bodybuilder who won the Mr. Olympia title eight years in a row from 1998-2005, Coleman stands three inches taller than his nickname namesake.
“I’m even starting to call him Ronnie,” said Hitmen head coach Dallas Ferguson, while admitting, “I’m not exactly sure where they got that from.”
After a slow start to his 19-yearold season, Coleman has found success of late playing on a heavyweight line with centre Mark Kastelic (6-foot-3, 213 lb.) and right-winger Andrei Grishakov (6-foot-1, 200 lb.).
“We played together a few times last year and got good things going,” said Coleman, who had a goal and four assists in a pair of wins for the Hitmen last weekend over the Lethbridge Hurricanes. “We work well in the offensive zone cycling the puck and all playing back well defensively.”
Through 18 games this season, Coleman has found the back of the net four times to go with eight helpers, which is ahead of the pace that saw him put up 14 goals and 14 assists in 73 games last campaign. He had a goal in Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers at the Saddledome.
“He’s been a pretty consistent performer for us,” Ferguson said. “He’s a bigger body, and he’s expanded his role from last year. He’s more on the penalty kill. He’s more on the power play. He’s playing in a top-six forward role for us.
“Like everybody, his game has got to keep evolving. We need him to be a physical presence — someone that’s hard to play against. Overall I’ve been happy with Luke. He brings a pretty even-keel approach to the rink.”
Perhaps due to that easy-going attitude, Coleman’s teammates often allow him to pick the songs that play in the Hitmen lockerroom.
“I usually run the music,” Coleman said. “It’s easy to do, just press a button and let it play.”
According to teammate Tristen Nielsen, some of Coleman’s picks are a bit controversial.
“His pre-game music was a little iffy, but we won, so it might be a ritual,” said Nielsen after the Hitmen beat the Prince George Cougars 2-1 in a shootout at the Saddledome on Oct. 22. “Just some country music that has got to be from the ’60s. It was so slow. I was not a fan, but it’s a win.”
We work well in the offensive zone cycling the puck and all playing back well defensively.
Coleman defended his pick of Legend of John Henry’s Hammer by Johnny Cash.
“My dad listens to a lot of Johnny Cash, so I spent a lot of car rides listening to Johnny Cash — I’ve liked it ever since,” said Coleman, who subsequently played Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees following the Hitmen’s win over the Cougars. “Lots of upbeat music after the games.”
The team has since gone on to collectively choose Solo Dance by Martin Jensen as their victory song, but Coleman often still gets to pick other tunes.
“I actually haven’t minded the music selection,” said Ferguson, who pointed out that he’s heard lots of songs over his years as a coach that he doesn’t recognize or like one bit. “There’s been a good balance. The coaches are actually enjoying it more, from what I understand this year, because of who’s picking the songs.”
Although he enjoys his DJing duties, Coleman would rather help the Hitmen reel off more wins.
To accomplish that, the Hitmen will have to play well on the road.
After taking on the host Tigers to complete the home-and-home series on Saturday (7:30 p.m., Sportsnet 960 The Fan), the Hitmen will play four road games in five nights against the Brandon Wheat Kings, the Regina Pats, the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Swift Current Broncos beginning Tuesday.