Canes' Game Day in Calgary

Well, it's been a week since the Hurricanes last played a game, a 4-3 loss on the road in Kelowna, but again the most interesting news happened off the ice. On Wednesday, the Hurricanes and Tri-City Americans pulled off a 5-player deal, that saw high scoring forward Mitch Fadden as well as defencemen Brock Sutherland and Cam Stevens heading to the State of Washington and in return the Canes' getting back D-man Eric Mestery and Forward Drew Hoff. I like this trade and this is why. To me and a lot of others it was obvious Lethbridge needed to address it's defensive issues. Even GM Roy Stasiuk said in the press release that the team's "biggest need right now is a top four defenceman". Sending Fadden the other way shouldn't come as a shocker. There's no doubt Lethbridge is losing a huge scoring threat with Fadden, but this is a case where you have to give up something good to get something good in return. The Canes' have addressed their defence issue adding Mestery and with Hoff they get a little work horse and a player that will add some energy to the line-up. Lethbridge is more than fine up front with a lot of scoring power with likes of guys like Boychuk, Sceviour, Ashton, Bancks, and King. They had to give up some scoring to shore up the 'D'. It's funny how a few changes here and there though can ignite a team. We'll see if it happens in this case.

The Canes' added once more player yesterday, calling up Lethbridge product Max Ross on defence from the Olds Grizzlies of the AJHL. Roy Stasiuk always seems to have a nose for talent and finding quality players. Again, it appears he found what he was looking forin Mestery and Hoff and now the addition of the young Ross. Tonight we'll get our first look at these players in a Hurricanes uniform as Lethbridge plays in Calgary.

This is the 4th meeting between these two rivals this season. Calgary has won all 3 games. This is also the 3rd and last time the Canes' play at the Saddledome this year, barring a meeting in the playoffs. One of those little quirks in the schedule I guess. The 9 and 8 Hurricanes are looking to bounce back from losses in Kelowna and Kamloops last weekend. They've had a whole week to rest up any injuries, a few days to practice with Mestery and Hoff, and time to look over video and try and find a way to solve the Hitmen!

Game time tonight from Calgary is 7 o'clock. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.

Lethbridge Product Max Ross Gets the Call

Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes were very proud to welcome several new players into the fold this morning. Defenseman Eric Mestery and forward Drew Hoff, acquired in a trade this past week, arrived in time for morning meetings and were joined by a familiar face to Lethbridge hockey; 90-born defenseman Max Ross.

The 6’1” 180 pound Ross has been called up from the Olds Grizzlies of the Alberta Junior Hockey League where he has compiled 9 points (9A) in 21 games and 56 penalty minutes. Ross has continued to show steady improvement after a breakout season in 07-08 as a member of the Lethbridge Y’s Men Midget AAA Titans (AMHL), posting 11 points (3G, 8A) in 36 games. Ross then continued his success into 2008 Hurricanes Training camp where he was one of the last players cut from a young defensive corps.

“Watching Max develop last season, we thought he was one of the most improved players on a talented Lethbridge Midget AAA team” said Canes GM Roy Stasiuk “We are glad to be able to offer him this opportunity and expect him to develop into the type of player who can contribute to our hockey club for a long time”

Ross already has several ties to Lethbridge Hockey; his grandfather Walter “Stubb” Ross was a successful Lethbridge Businessman who founded the “Lethbridge Air Service” later renamed “Time Air” and was one of the forefathers of major junior hockey in Lethbridge. Ross’ grandmother Marg was a billet for the Lethbridge Broncos and served as a billet for each of the Sutter brothers.

All of the Hurricanes new arrivals are expected to practice this afternoon, 1:30 PM at the ENMAX Centre.

Weighing in on Wednesday's Trade....Dick's Personal Point of View

The recent trade of Mitch Fadden to the Tri-City Americans by the Lethbridge Hurricanes will no doubt raise some eyebrows of Hurricane fans and will result in questions being asked as to why? The trading of Colton Yellowhorn to the Americans a few years ago caused fans to wonder how come the Canes' have traded away their top scorer of the previous season. It is a legitimate question again considering the fact that Fadden brings a high level of offensive skill and talent to the game. No player in the WHL can handle the puck like Fadden.

But this time the main purpose behind the trade was to bring a top notch defenceman to the Hurricanes who are still hurting from the loss of Luca Sbisa. The Canes traded for 18 year old Eric Mestery who stands 6-5 and weighs in at 195. Eric is a second round pick of the Washington Capitals. He is expected to step in to the # 3 or #4 spot on the blue line.

The Hurricane brass feels that this club has more than enough offensive talent to compete with any team in this league. Therefore, the high price they would have to pay for a quality defenseman ended up being Mitch Fadden.
Also forgotten in the shuffle, were defencemen Cam Stevens and Brock Sutherland who also headed to Tri-City and overage forward Drew Hoff now a Hurricane.

Fans were upset with the Colton Yellowhorn deal which got Lethbridge 2007 first round pick Mark Reners. Fans will have to wait until next year to see him suit up for the Hurricanes on a regular basis. This time, we will see what this deal immediately brings to the Hurricanes. Mestery will not be a mystery for too long. Is it a good deal? Time will tell.

Hurricanes Trade Fadden to Tri-City in Multi-player deal with the Americans

Lethbridge, AB - Lethbridge Hurricanes General Manager, Roy Stasiuk and Tri City Americans General Manager, Robert Tory jointly announced a major trade today which sees high scoring forward, Mitch Fadden and defensemen, Cam Stevens and Brock Sutherland moving south in exchange for defenseman, Eric Mestery and forward Drew Hoff.

The two GM's made a huge splash two years ago when high scoring forward, Colton Yellow Horn was moved to the Americans in exchange for a first round draft pick. Yellow Horn went on to become one of the more prolific scorers in the WHL and the Hurricanes' secured scoring prospect, Mark Reners in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft.

"Mitch Fadden is an incredibly gifted, talented and exciting player however our biggest need right now is a solid top four defenseman and Eric Mestery fits that bill." said Stasiuk, the Canes' GM added, "With Luca Sbisa remaining with the Philadelphia Flyers, we had to use some of our offensive depth in order to address a more pressing need. Cam and Brock will both have more opportunity to develop in supporting roles with the Americans and Drew Hoff is expected to inject some energy into our forward groupings."

Both General Managers wanted to thank their respective players for the contributions made towards their former teams' successes and pass on best wishes to all five players involved.

Canes' Go 1 & 2 on BC Trip

Back from nearly a week on the road in BC. We arrived back the Enmax centre just after 8 Sunday morning after an all night bus right back from Kelowna last night. The Hurricanes dropped their final game of the road swing, losing 4-3 to the Rockets. Lethbridge had a 2-0 lead after one, but Kelowna came back to tie the game and eventually take the lead and the victory. Rockets forward Jamie Benn scored a hatrick and the was the game's first star. Lethbridge was led all week long by Carter Bancks and Dwight King. Bancks set the pace with his play in all three games and scored in each of the games on this trip. The Hurricanes now have a record of 9 and 8 on the year and since starting the season off 3 and 0, Lethbridge has gone 6 and 8.
Again Saturday, the Rockets tried to take advantage on the Hurricanes young defence. Again as I see it, that's where this team needs to add a player or two. Offensively, the Canes' have all the talent you could ask for, but another defenceman would sure help out.
I stressed on the broadcast last night that it's not time to panic. From the tone of some the emails I received last night, some fans are already calling for changes on and off the ice. Yes, the Canes' are going through some growing pains, but I sure don't think it's time to be looking at drastic measures. I feel people need to let things play out for a while yet before calling for extreme changes. There likely will be player movement to try and get a blueliner, but don't expect a coaching change as one fan suggested in an email to me. That's not the problem as I see it. Again, no need to panic. Just remember back to last season when the same concerns were being raised and then the Hurricanes changed the tide. Give it some time. It's still a young season! I do understand though at the same time teams don't want to fall too far behind the rest of the pack
The Hurricanes are off now until Saturday when the play the Hitmen in Calgary. It'll be the 4th meeting between the two rivals.
Also Monday night on CJOC, Dick Gibson and I will host Hurricanes This Week from 7 to 8. Our guests include Mike Boyle, voice of the Memorial Cup Champion Spokane Chiefs, Hurricanes star forward Zach Boychuk, and your calls!