Carter Ashton Drafted by Tampa Bay

I'm sure it was some very nervous times for Hurricanes forward Carter Ashton Friday night at the NHL Draft.

He was ranked around the 20th spot, but as the first round of the draft inched closer and closer to the end, Ashton's name still hadn't been called. He did end up though making that exciting walk to the podium as he was selected 29th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Ashton joins fellow Hurricanes Zach Boychuk, Luca Sbisa, and Kyle Beach who all went in the first round of last year's draft.

Four other WHL players were chosen along with Ashton in the 2009 draft. Vancouver's Evander Kane went 4th overall to Atlanta, Brandon's Brayden Schenn was chosen by Los Angeles at 5th overall. He was followed by his Wheat Kings teammate Scott Glennie who was selected 8th overall. Later Jared Cowen of the Spokane Chiefs was picked 9th by Ottawa.

Congrats to all!

Sbisa Traded to Anaheim at NHL Draft

Luca Sbisa (D) is no longer a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Sbisa, who is still property of the Lethbridge Hurricanes was dealt to the Ducks just after the first pick was announced at the 2009 NHL Draft in Montreal tonight. Sbisa heads to Anaheim in exchange for Chris Pronger who is now heading to the NHL's Eastern Conference. Also going to the Ducks with Sbisa is Joffrey Lupul and two first round picks.

Sbisa was picked 19th overall by Philly in the 2008 draft.

Canes' Announce Exhibition Schedule

The Lethbridge Hurricanes, along with the WHL released their finalized 09-10 Preseason schedule Tuesday afternoon. The Hurricanes will open their WHL exhibition season on the road on the September 5th weekend with a pair of games in the Crowsnest Pass against the Calgary Hitmen and the Kootenay Ice respectively.

Lethbridge will then make the trip through the rockies to take on the Ice on September 9th in Cranbrook before heading south for a preseason tournament in Kennewick, WA on the weekend of September 11th. Due to renovations to the City of Lethbridge ENMAX Centre; the Canes will not host any games during the 08-09 preseason and will not hold their home opener until an October 9th matchup against Steve Pleau and the Edmonton Oil Kings. The entire WHL Exhibition Schedule can be viewed now at http://www.whl.ca/

As for the regular season, Lethbridge will open the 09/10 campaign in Kootenay September 18th and in Medicine Hat September 19th. It'll be the home openers for both the Ice and Tigers.

Lethbridge Hurricanes Preseason Schedule 2009/2010

September 5th/09 – vs. Calgary (@ Crowsnest Pass)
September 6th/09 – vs. Kootenay (@ Crowsnest Pass)
September 9th/09 – @ Kootenay
September 11th/09 – vs. Everett (@ Tri City)
September 12th/09 – @ Portland (@ Tri City)
September 13th/09 – @ Tri City (@ Tri City)

Dave Barr for G.M.?????

According to Gregg Drinnan at the Kamloops Daily News, former NHLer and former Lethbridge Bronco Dave Barr has thrown his name into the hat for the Hurricanes vacant General Manager position.
You can read the story here on Gregg's blog....
http://gdrinnan.blogspot.com/