Getting Set for Exhibition Play

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are busy this week practicing at Adams Ice Centre for the start of the team's pre-season schedule this weekend.

The Canes' take on Calgary Saturday (7pm) and the Kootenay Ice Sunday (4pm). Both games will take place in the Crowsnest Pass. The Hurricanes will play the Ice again, this time in Cranbrook September 9th. After that, the team heads south to Tri-City to play in a pre-season tournament there September 11, 12, and 13 when they take on Everett, Portland, and Tri-City respectively.

I attended the Hurricanes practice Monday. Head Coach/GM Rich Preston seems to run a tight ship with high tempo practices and spends a fair bit of one-on-one time with the players during practice. The Hurricanes will likely announce their pre-season roster either Wednesday or Thursday. We'll have a better idea then which players this team will carry through exhibition.

I spoke briefly with Carter Bancks on Monday. Right now, he's the only overage player on this Hurricanes team and if I was a betting man, I'd say a pretty good candidate to be the new captain of this team. I asked him about what he thinks of this crop of players. He told me it's a young team, but with a lot of speed and determination. Bancks feels this year's Hurricanes "just might surprise a few people." Bancks is also not 100% healthy. He had some shoulder issues after last season and is hoping to be ready to head off to California this weekend to attend the San Jose Sharks camp. He's one of six returning Hurricanes to get pro camp invites.

That's all for now. I'll post the pre-season roster once I get it.

Thanks,
Pat