Training Camp Day 3

Day three brought with it three new teams and three new scrimmages as the veterans joined the fun at Lethbridge Hurricanes Training Camp. Once again due to ice plant problems the first two games of the day were moved to Henderson Arena with the evening game being played at Adams Ice Centre.

In the morning game, Team Blue (Thunder) coached by Matt Kabayama posted a 9-4 win over Chris Chisamore’s Team Red (Storm). The veterans made their presence known with returning forwards Cam Braes and Brent Henke each tallying a pair of goals and defenseman Brennan Yadlowski notching a single. Newcomers Mitchell Guiel (94) and Michael Sofillas (93) continued to impress with a goal a piece and Southern Alberta local Alex Elliott (93) posted a pair of goals, including the eventual game winner. 94-born forward and 2nd round 2009 WHL Bantam Draft pick Ryley Bennefeld assisted on both Elliott goals. Local invite Mark Eremenko (94), Bantam Draft pick Mason Blacklock (94) and Canes returnees Garrett Taylor and Eric Mestery scored the Team Red Storm goals.

In the afternoon game, Scout Blake Robson coached the Blue Thunder to a 6-1 win over Scout Gerry Klinkhammer’s Team White (Lightning). Once again, it was the veterans who led the way with goals from Braes, Derek Ryckman, Carter Ashton and Mark Reners but it was another goal from the newcomer Guiel which would go on to be the game winner. Jordy Martinook also tallied for the Thunder while Alex Elliott continued his point streak with a pair of assists. His brother Taylor Elliott scored the only goal for the Lightning who would look to turn things around in their evening game against the Storm.

The final scrimmage of the day saw the Lightning do exactly that as Ryon Moser and Neal Tarnasky each had a pair of goals to lead their team to a 5-3 victory over the Red Storm. Moser, had a four point game (2G, 2A) and Taylor Elliott scored a single in his second straight scrimmage. Brody Sutter (2G) and 94-born prospect Brendin Logan scored for the Storm.

Camp will wrap Sunday, August 30th with the Annual Blue and White game 11:00 AM at Adams Ice Centre. All fans are invited to come out and get their first peek at the Hurricanes of the future as the Lethbridge United Way will be on hand taking donations for this special event. Team White coached by Gerry Klinkhammer will battle Team Blue coached by Blake Robson in the annual battle for blue and white supremacy. Calgary product Ryon Moser will captain Team White while Pincher Creek native Mark Reners will lead Team Blue into the fray.

Moser, a 92-born forward finished the 08-09 AMHL season with 28 points (9G, 19A) in 32 games and led all AMHL playoff scorers with an incredible 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points in 15 games. Moser joined the Buffaloes this season after a strong showing in Canes’ training camp after it was decided another year of Midget would be helpful in giving him time to further develop his strength and offensive skills. Having already played two regular season WHL games, Moser is expected to join the Hurricanes, along with Reners, on a full time basis this season.

Reners, was one of two Hurricanes selections in the first round of the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft. The Southern Alberta native set a new AMBHL record in the 06-07 season tallying an amazing 61 goals. In two seasons with the Lethbridge Val Matteotti Golden Hawks he totaled nearly a hundred goals in the AMBHL and finished the 2007 campaign with 99 points (61G, 38A). This season, he tallied 42 points in just 28 games (28G, 14A) with the Lethbridge Y’s Men Titans of the AMHL and notched a pair of goals in only his fourth WHL game on January 23rd, 2009.

Information from Ryan Ohashi, Hurricanes Director of Communications

Thanks,
Pat

Hurricanes Camp Day Two

From the Canes' Office:

Day two of Hurricanes Training Camp brought with it the first day of scrimmages as Team A took on Team B in a pair of games scheduled for Adams Ice Centre. In the first game, the Chris Chisamore coached Team B (Blue Thunder) took down the Matt Kabayama coached Team A (White Lightning) in a 2-1 shootout win. 93-born Matthew Scarth of Calgary notched the shootout winner as well the Thunder’s lone regulation goal. 94-born goaltender Tanner Kovacs stopped all three shootout attempts while allowing the Lightning’s only regulation goal off 92-born forward and Bow Island native Carson Cooper as the Lightning took the first of the two game set.

A malfunction in the ice plant at Adams Ice Centre resulted in Veteran’s practice and the second Blue and White scrimmage being moved to Henderson Arena for the day. Team White Lightning came out shooting as they were able to hold an early lead well through to the third period off goals from 92-born d-man Mike Claffey, defenseman Austin Yadlowski, 93-born forward Jordan Baillie and U.S. 94-born prospect TJ Sneath. Defenseman Braxton Bilous and forwards Matthew Scarth and Samuel McKechnie all tallied for the Thunder and hometown boy Russell Maxwell notched the game tying goal with less then a minute left to play in regulation to force another shootout. 92-born forward Jordy Martinook, who also notched a pair of assists in the game managed to score on his shootout attempt, while Baillie added to his three point (1G, 2A) game with a goal on his shootout try. McKechnie finished the game with two points (1G, 1A) and a goal on his shootout attempt but it wasn’t enough as Lightning goaltender Wilson Sproule shut the door on the other two Team Blue Thunder shooters to lead Team White to a 5-4 shootout win.

As we look towards day three of Hurricanes Training Camp, the teams will once again be shuffled up and absorb returnees and veterans to form three new teams. Team White (Lightning), Team Blue (Thunder) and Team Red (Storm), these teams will meet in a trio of games scheduled for Saturday. In total 62 of the 65 players invited to this year’s camp have participated, with only a few scratches due to injury.

Camp will wrap on Sunday, August 30th with the Annual Blue and White game 11:00 AM at Adams Ice Centre. All fans are invited to come out and get their first peek at the Hurricanes of the future. The Lethbridge United Way will be on hand taking donations for this special event.

Information from Ryan Ohashi, Hurricanes Director of Communications

Thanks,
Pat

Camp Officially Underway

Adams Ice Centre was a very busy place Thursday afternoon and evening as more than 60 Hurricane hopefuls arrived for registration and the start of training camp.



I spoke with Canes' Associate Coach Matt Kabayama about this camp. He says the coaching staff wanted to make this a very competitive camp and notes everyone is coming in fighting for a job. There should be some battles for spots too. The team has 15 players returning from last year, but I guess that doesn't mean they'll all be with the Hurricanes once the season opens. I would expect there to be a good battle in the goaltending position. The Canes' have invited 7 goalies to this year's camp, but I would think the battle to be between returnees Michael Tadjdeh and Brandon Anderson as well as newcomer Ville Kolppanen of Finland. There are also a few spots open on Defence and Forward. I guess with 6 players eading to pro camps in week, it'll give the coaches a good chance to see what some of the younger players have to offer too, especially in game situations.

I talked briefly with Cam Braes as well. He told me he and the rest of the players are looking forward to getting to know and working with new Head Coach/GM Rich Preston. I asked him about his role with the team this year given it's his 3rd season with the team. Braes feels he's got a lot of experience over the past two seasons and this year he hopes to bring more of a leadership role for the yonger players. He also tells me he'd like to try and crack the top two lines and be more of an impact player.

Kyle Beach was all smiles as he entered Adams for registration Thursday afternoon. He told me he worked hard this off-season and comes into camp in really good condition. I asked him what his role will be this year. He said that will be up to Rich Preston to decide, but he says he is excited to be back. Beach will also be one of 6 returning players that will head to NHL camps in a couple of weeks.

Another one of those pro camp guys wil be Austin Fyten. He is also very excited to be back for his second full season with the Canes. Fyten expects to play a key role this year. He tells me he anticipates being more of a go-to guy this season and will be depended on to score that big goal from time to time.

The Hurricanes will hold a couple of scrimmages Friday as well as a practice for the veterans.

Here is a list of the 65 players invited to camp this year:


Goaltenders (7)
Michael Tadjdeh 91 Calgary, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Brandon Anderson 92 Langley, BC Columbia Valley - KIJHL
Ville Kolppanen 92 Tampere, Finland Ilves. Tampere
Alex Wakaluk 93 Bellevue, AB AAA Titans - AMHL
Tyler O'Donnell 93 Fountain Valley, CA LA Selects - US AAA
Tanner Kovacs 94 Innisfail, AB AAA Rebels - AMBHL
Wilson Sproule 94 Hussar, AB AAA Royals - AMBHL

Defencemen (20)
Max Ross 90 Lethbridge, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Eric Mestery 90 Winnipeg, MB Hurricanes - WHL
Brennan Yadlowski 91 Edmonton, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Austin Baecker 92 Kelowna, BC Rockets - BC Midget
Derek Ryckman 92 Red Deer, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Cody Castro 92 Peoria, AZ Hurricanes - WHL
Mike Claffey 92 Spruce Grove, AB Camrose Eagles - AJHL
Drew Graham 93 Chilliwack, BC Bruins - BCAHA
Darren Dietz 93 Medicine Hat, AB Med Hat - AMBHL
Reid Jackson 93 Weyburn, SK Shattuck St Marys - US
Brandyn Hulit 93 Coutts, AB Hurricanes - SAML
Austin Yadlowski 93 Edmonton, AB SSAC - Minor Midget
John Stechyshyn 93 Calgary, AB AAA Buffs - AMHL
Braxton Bilous 94 Langley, BC Langley - BC Bantam
Valik Chichkin 94 Burnaby, BC Burnaby - BC Bantam
Adam Henry 94 Winnipeg, MB AAA Winnipeg Hawks
Harrison Harper 94 Calgary, AB Calgary Bronks - AMBHL
Stephen Hak 94 Winnipeg, MB AAA Winnipeg Hawks
Mackenzie Klatt 94 Foremost, AB Golden Hawks - AMBHL
Mark Eremenko 94 Lethbridge, AB Golden Hawks - AMBHL


Forwards (38)
Carter Bancks 89 Marysville, BC Hurricanes - WHL
Craig Orfino 90 Edmonton, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Kyle Beach 90 Kelowna, BC Hurricanes - WHL
Kameron McCorry 90 Anaheim Hills, CA LA Jr. Kings - US AAA
Brent Henke 90 Edmonton, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Austin Fyten 91 Sundre, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Taylor Elliot 91 Pincher Creek, AB AAA Titans - AMHL
Brody Sutter 91 Calgary, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Garrett Taylor 91 San Diego, CA Hurricanes - WHL
Carter Ashton 91 Saskatoon, SK Hurricanes - WHL
Cam Braes 91 Shawnigan Lake, BC Hurricanes - WHL
Brandon Brossoit 92 Los Alamitos, CA Cali. Wave - US AAA
Brett Pinder 92 Calgary, AB AAA Buffs - AMHL
Ryon Moser 92 Calgary, AB AAA Buffs - AMHL
Neil Tarnasky 92 Caroline, AB AAA Leduc - AMHL
Carson Cooper 92 Bow Island, AB AAA Tigers - AMHL
Jordy Martinook 92 Leduc. AB AAA Leduc - AMHL
Mark Reners 92 Pincher Creek, AB AAA Titans - AMHL
Philip Tot 93 Calgary, AB AAA Buffs - AMHL
Alex Elliot 93 Pincher Creek, AB Midget A
Brock McDonald 93 Kelowna, BC Westside AAA - BCAHA
Jordan Baillie 93 Ft.Sask. , AB Ft. SK Rangers - AMHL
Samuel Lawson 93 Calgary, AB Midget Rangers - SAML
Matthew Scarth 93 Calgary, AB Blackhawks - SAML
Shane Brolly 93 Spruce Grove, AB Spruce Grove - REMHL
Michael Sofillas 93 Morden, MB Pembina Hawks AAA
John Lidgett 93 Calgary, AB Midget Rangers - SAML
Samuel McKechnie 94 Airdrie, AB Airdrie Xtreme - AMBHL
Jaimen Yakubowski 94 Dalmeny, SK Warman - Bantam AA
TJ Sneath 94 Chino, CA LA Selects - US AAA
Russell Maxwell 94 Magrath, AB Golden Hawks - AMBHL
Brendin Logan 94 Coquitlam, BC AAA Coquitlam Bantam
Mason Blacklock 94 Surrey, BC Ravens - BC Bantam
James Bergal 94 Winnipeg, MB AAA Winnipeg - Bantam
Ryley Bennefield 94 Wetaskiwn, AB AAA Leduc - AMBHL
Mitchell Guiel 94 Langley, BC Langley - BC Bantam
Mitch Makin 94 Blairmore, AB Bisons - Bantam AA
Tommy Hrazdira 94 Ft.McMurray, AB POE Bantam 1

Canes' Training Camp 2009

From the Canes' Office:

The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club is proud to announce the start of the 2009-10 WHL season with the opening of Hurricanes Training Camp. Camp is set to officially open Thursday afternoon, August 27th, 2009 at Adams Ice Centre (pictured above), with registration, followed by evening on-ice sessions. 65 players have been invited to this year’s camp, with 15 returning players from last year’s roster. With the departure of 2008 1st round draft pick Zach Boychuk (14th overall - Carolina) and 2007 NHL Draft picks Dwight King (L.A.) and Colton Sceviour (Dallas), only one of the Hurricanes group of 89-born players is expected to return for the 2009-10 season. Fan favorite and repeat winner of the Hardest Working Hurricane Award - Carter Bancks will enter training camp as the Hurricanes lone overage player.

Canes goal scoring leader and the team’s most recent NHL first round draft pick; Carter Ashton (2009 – Tampa Bay), will lead a strong and talented group of 91-born players including the winner of the 2008-2009 Carl Trentini Memorial award for Hurricanes Rookie of the year; Austin Fyten and 2008-2009 Hardest Working Hurricane award winner; Cam Braes. Ashton led a star studded Canes lineup with 30 goals last season and looks ready to take his place among the WHL’s elite power forwards. Brody Sutter will begin his first full season with the Canes and looks toward a breakout year along with one of the co-winners of the 2008-2009 Most Improved Hurricane award; Garrett Taylor.

The Canes class of 90-born forwards is led by 2008 1st round NHL Draft pick Kyle Beach (Chicago) who arrived in Lethbridge at the 08-09 trade deadline as the result of a blockbuster deal with the Everett Silvertips. He finished the 08-09 season with 63 points (24G, 39A) and 106 PIMs with 33 points on 15 goals and 18 assists in just 24 games with Lethbridge. Brent Henke and Craig Orfino, the winner of the Most Popular Player award as voted by the players and the Joan Kobal Memorial Award for Perseverance, Dedication and Sportsmanship round out this veteran laden class.

On the blue line, the Canes will look to rebuild with the loss of two year Captain Ben Wright and rugged veteran Mitch Versteeg. Both local products graduated this past season with Wright signing his letter of intent with the University of New Brunswick to play in the CIS next season. Looking to fill those skates will be a defensive corps led by 2008 2nd round NHL Draft Pick and 90-born Eric Mestery (Washington) and 91-born Brennan Yadlowski. Yadlowski was highly rated in the 2009 NHL draft and last season showed tremendous growth in his second WHL campaign. He also walked away from the 2008-09 season with some hardware, winning the Hurricanes Scholastic Player of the Year award for the second year in a row as well as being named a co-winner of the Hurricanes Most Improved player award for the second year in a row. Local product and 90-born defenseman Max Ross will also be asked to fill a larger role along with fellow sophomores and 92-born d-men Cody Castro and Derek Ryckman.

Once again, the Hurricanes will enter Training Camp with heavy competition at the goaltending position. The departure of the “Finnish Phenom” Juha Metsola to a pro contract in Finland leaves a vacancy in the Hurricanes starting job. 91-born Michael Tadjdeh of Calgary should be among the frontrunners having experience with the team last season as backup to Metsola, notching a 10-10-0-0 record with a pair of shutouts. His main competition will be a pair of 92-born goaltenders; Finnish newcomer Ville Kolppanen and Hurricanes prospect Brandon Anderson. Anderson was called up earlier in the 08-09 campaign to fill in as an emergency backup during the absence of Metsola who was away at the 2009 World Juniors. He posted a 12-18-0-0 record with Columbia Valley with a 3.80 GAA and a 0.896 save percentage. Kolppanen was selected with the Hurricanes first round pick (32nd overall) in the 2009 CHL Import Draft. The 6’1” 195 pound Finn is a 92-born goaltender who hails from the same junior club – Ilves Jr. which produced Metsola as well as Finnish standouts Tuuka Rask, Riku Helenius. 93-born goaltenders Tyler O’Donnell and Hurricanes Bantam draft pick Alex Wakaluk will also compete for a position.

News and Notes:
This year’s camp will be held for invited players only, aged 15 to 20. This will be the first camp for 94-born, 2009 WHL Bantam Draft 2nd round selection; Ryley Bennefeld and all of the Canes 2009 WHL Bantam Draft selections.

Run for the border: This year’s training camp will play host to a total of six US born players – returning players D – Cody Castro and F – Garrett Taylor as well as G – Tyler O’Donnell, F – Kameron McCorry, F – Brandon Brossoit and F – TJ Sneath.
Names to watch: F - Mark Reners, F - Ryon Moser, F - Brandon Brossoit, F - Sam Lawson, F - Philip Tot, F - Neil Tarnasky and D - Reid Jackson will be just a few of the names to watch under serious consideration for roster positions after strong seasons for their various clubs.

The Hurricanes will see some familiar names on the ice, with Neil Tarnasky (the younger brother of former Hurricane Nick Tarnasky), Austin Yadlowski (the younger brother of current Hurricane Brennan Yadlowski) and Brody Sutter (the son of former Lethbridge Bronco Duane Sutter) all attending camp.

Camp will wrap on Sunday, August 30th with the Annual Blue and White game 11:00 AM at Adams Ice Centre. All fans are invited to come out and get their first peek at the Hurricanes of the future. The Lethbridge United Way will be on hand taking donations for this special event.

Here is the official Hurricanes Camp Schedule at Adams Ice Centre for those interested:

Thursday, August 27th
3:00-5:00 PM Registration for all camp athletes at Adams Ice Centre
Dressing Room Assignments
Team Designation/Jersey Assignments
Distribution of Camp Packages
Photo Headshots and Weigh Ins
5:00-5:30 PM Player/Parent/Billet Orientation at Adams Ice Centre
6:15-7:15 PM Team A Practice
7:30-8:30 PM Team B Practice

Friday, August 28th
9:30-11:15 AM Team A vs. Team B Scrimmage
1:00-2:30 PM Veterans Practice
3:00-4:45 PM Team A vs. Team B Scrimmage

Saturday, August 29th
8:30-10:15 AM Team Red vs. Team Blue
1:15-3:00 PM Team Blue vs. Team White
6:00-7:45 PM Team White vs. Team Red

Sunday, August 31st
9:00–10:30 AM Veterans Practice
11:00-1:00 PM ANNUAL BLUE WHITE INTRASQUAD FOR CHARITY GAME

Information from Ryan Ohashi, Hurricanes Director of Communications

Coach/GM Preston Set for Camp

The new man in charge of the Lethbridge Hurricanes will get his first real good look-see at his hockey team later this week when the club opens it's 2009 training camp Thursday afternoon at Adams Ice Centre.

I spoke briefly with Rich Preston about the upcoming camp today:

Pat: What emotions are you feeling as the new guy as you get set for your first training camp with the Hurricanes?

Preston: "Well Pat, this is a real exciting time because I haven't seen a lot of our young kids. I saw some of them at the under 16 and under 17 camps, but most of them it'll be the first for me so it'll be a good eye opener. I'm looking forward to it."

Pat: As a coach, what do you look for in a player at training camp?

Preston: "I think number one, the biggest thing is how hard they compete. It doesn't matter if you're 6 foot 2 or 5 foot 8.....the size and height go out the window if a player competes. Another thing is consistently every shift. I think that's the number one thing you look for in a player."

Pat: There will be 60 players at camp. How will you determine which ones make the team and which ones don't?

Preston: "Well, we have 15 returning from last year. Six of those players are going to pro camps. I think the more you can have go to pro camp the more those players learn. With those going off to camps, that'll open some spots for some of these young kids to play exhibition games and really show what they've got."

Pat: Is there any one position on this team that you'll be keeping a close watch on in camp?

Preston: "Obviously losing our number one goaltender (Juha Metsola) that should be a good battle at that position. We have 5 returning defencemen so obviously you'll have some spots open there. You always want to build your team from the goaltender out, so those are the two positions where we'll see a good battle and see who steps forward."

I'll have more training camp info later on in the week with practice times at Adams Ice Centre.

Thanks,
Pat