"I think you have to look at Matt MacKenzie and Cody Sylvester," said the outgoing co-captain of the Western Hockey League club on Monday. "Those two stepped up huge for us in the playoffs.

"Matt's draft status is climbing, climbing, climbing and we never thought Cody would be one of the leading scorers in the playoffs, but there it was. That's what playoff hockey is all about, rising above and beyond expectations.

"Those two showed a lot of character and determination to get where they're at."

The 18-year-old MacKenzie, a defenceman, is off to the NHL combine today to be interviewed by as many as 20 teams prior to the draft next month. A third-year player, he says he's ready to step into whatever role the Hitmen have in mind for him next season.

"I've learned from some great people and I think next year I can really take on that leadership role and follow in the footsteps of some of the people before me," he said. "I think we'll be a pretty good team again. We've got some good D coming back, we've got (Michael) Snider in net and I guess the question marks are up front because we're losing a lot of forwards.

"But a lot of guys stepped up in the playoffs, so I'm sure we'll be fine."

The Hitmen are going to have to fill at least 11 spots in next year's roster so it'll be up to 16s, 17s, 18s and three of the 19s to try to fill big holes left by such departing stars as Brandon Kozun, Tyler Shattock, Joel Broda, Martin Jones and Michael Stone.

Sylvester, a smooth-skating forward who'll be entering his third season, raised some eyebrows by scoring 11 goals in 23 playoff games after scoring just 10 in 68 regular season games.

"We had a great run this year but now that's all over, it's summertime and you have to start training and look forward to next year," said the Kelowna lad. "Every player has to step up in the playoffs and I guess I was scoring goals and that's a lot of confidence right there and hopefully I can bring that over to next year.

"A lot of guys are moving up in the leagues and we're going to be missing a lot of guys so the guys coming back have to step up. As a player, you have to get better every year. The coaches expect more from you and you have to expect more of yourself and just have to push yourself to be better, come back next year and prove that."

Another key cog returning to next year's lineup is Jimmy Bubnick, a rock-hard forward obtained from Kamloops at the trade deadline. The six-foot-two, 196-pounder will play as a 19-year-old next season and should be a 30-plus goal scorer.

"I always looked up to the older guys so I'm looking forward to that, and doing whatever it takes to get back," he said of taking a leadership role in trying to land another WHL title for the Hitmen. "We're going to be young but competitive. All that playoff success, the Memorial Cup experience will be contagious."

Tyler Fiddler, who bumped his goal production from three to 30 this season, and Kris Foucault, who raised his output from nine to 22 goals, could return as 20-year-old forwards to give the offence a boost.

Those two and any of the previous three mentioned all could be captain material.

"I haven't really looked too far into next year," said Fiddler, "but as the summer goes along, I'll start looking into it. As an older guy on a team, you're expected to be a leader. I've had a good two years and whatever happens, if I'm back, I'd hopefully build on this season and be able to step into that (captain/assistant captain) role if the coaches decided to give it to me."

Fiddler is hoping to land a training camp look with an NHL team, while Foucault was drafted last year by Minnesota but hasn't been signed.

This And That: Graduating G Martin Jones took yet another bow Monday when the WHL goalie of the year was named top goalie at the Memorial Cup to land a spot on the all-star team. Bubnick was also named to the tournament all-star team after racking up eight points in the three games the Hitmen played. Completing the star lineup were defencemen Travis Hamonic of Brandon and Cam Fowler of the victorious Windsor Spitfi res, while Matt Calvert of Brandon and Calgary's Taylor Hall of Windsor filled out the forward positions.

jdown@theherald.canwest.com