Thursday notes . . .

D Karl Alzner of the Calgary Hitmen has signed a three-year deal with the NHL’s Washington Capitals. They selected him fifth overall in the NHL’s 2007 draft. Alzner, who turns 20 on Sept. 24, spent four seasons with the Hitmen. In 2007-08, he was selected as the WHL’s player of the year and its top defenceman. He had 36 points and was plus-26 in 60 games. He also captained the Canadian team that won the gold medal at the 2008 world junior championship. . . . The CHL will hand out its awards Saturday at the Memorial Cup in Kitchener. Alzner is the favourite to be named the CHL’s top player. . . .
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The Prince Albert Raiders have signed F Mark McNeill, their first pick in the WHL’s 2008 bantam draft. McNeill, 6-foot-0 and 172 pounds, was the fifth overall pick in the draft. McNeill played for the bantam AAA Edmonton South Side Athletic Club, picking up 69 points, including 41 goals, in 33 games. . . .
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Boaz Herzog of the Portland Tribune has weighed in on the Winter Hawks, including the lawsuit that was filed earlier this week by former head coach Mike Williamson. Herzog’s story is here.