CALGARY’S KEYS TO SUCCESS

The Calgary Hitmen kick off another Western Hockey League campaign with a home- andhome series against the Kootenay Ice Friday in Cranbrook ( 7 p. m.) and return Saturday at home ( 7 p. m., Scotiabank Saddledome). Here are five players to watch going into

D JAKE BEAN

Bean burst onto the WHL scene last year as a 16- year- old rookie and scored five goals to go with 34 assists in 51 games. Now a year older and in his NHL draft year, Bean knows his play will be scrutinized by scouts every night he plays, whether it be at home in the friendly confi nes of the Saddledome or on the road in opposing buildings. “That’s kind of a reality of it,” Bean said. “They’re at every game. That’s obviously not what I’m going to focus on. If I can help the team reach the goals that they want to, that’ll be the best individually for me.”

D TRAVIS SANHEIM

The way things worked out last year, Sanheim was still away at training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers when the Hitmen opened their season with a 4- 1 loss at home to the Red Deer Rebels. This year, the Hitmen will have their top defenceman in the lineup for their opening weekend home- and- home set against the Kootenay Ice. “I think I’ll be counted on more from a leadership standpoint and on the ice, take a bigger role, and I’m ready for that,” said the 19- yearold veteran of two WHL seasons. “I want so step up and help out any way I can.”

G BRENDAN BURKE

Last season, Burke formed a solid tandem in goal with Mack Shields, who has since moved on to the Prince George Cougars. Now in his final WHL season, Burke will start the year as Calgary’s No. 1 netminder, although he’ll be pushed by rookies Kyle Dumba and Lasse Petersen. “I’ve just got to focus on my part.… I always prepare the same,” said the 20- year- old puck stopper, who is excited to see what the Hitmen can accomplish this season. “This is a championship- calibre roster. That’s just on paper, so we’ll see how it comes together out there. We’ve got to work for it.”

F CHASE LANG

Lang has progressed from 11 points in his rookie WHL campaign to 25 the following year to 56 last season. After attending his second training camp with the Minnesota Wild, the 19- year- old forward has now turned his attentions towards continuing his off ensive exploits with the Hitmen. “Going into the first couple of games, I just want to have a hot start and kind of prove I deserve a lot of ice time and carry it through the year,” said Lang, who was impressed that the Hitmen compiled a perfect 7- 0 record in the pre- season while he was away. “We’re going to have a lot of energy in our lineup with our young group of guys.”

FRADEL FAZLEEV

Listed as a left winger on the Hitmen roster, Fazleev centred a line between Terrell Draude and Layne Bensmiller during practice Thursday. “I can play both,” noted the 19- year- old Russian forward, who made his return to the Hitmen from training camp with the Flyers just in time for the start of the WHL season. “I can play goalie if the coaches want. I feel more comfortable in the centre position. I like it.” Although Fazleev suff ered an upper body injury in the off - season, he said he’s healthy and ready to build on last season when he put up 18 goals and 33 assists in 71 games with the Hitmen.