Canes' Drop First Pre-season Game of 09/10

The Hurricanes are 0-1 in exhibition play after losing 5-2 Saturday night to the Calgary Hitmen.

The game was played in the Crowsnest Pass. Lethbridge scored it's two goals by Ryley Bennefield and Ryan Moser. The Canes pre-season continues Sunday afternoon (4pm) once again at the Sports Complex in Coleman as they take on Kootenay. The Hurricanes and Ice will also play Wednesday in Cranbrook.

Here's the game summary from Saturday night: Calgary 5 and Lethbridge 2

First Period
1. Lethbridge: Ryley Bennefield, (1), (Garrett Taylor), 14:46

Second Period
2. Calgary: Cody Sylvester, (1), (Justin Kirsch, Alex Roach), 14:31 (pp)3. Calgary: Cody Gross, (1), (Chase Clayton), 15:084. Lethbridge: Ryan Moser, (1), (Kyle Beach, Carter Ashton), 16:35 (pp)

Third Period
5. Calgary: Jaynen Rissling, (1) (Austin Madaisky, Cody Gross), :31 (pp)6. Calgary: Chase Clayton, (1), (Jaynen Rissling), 15:597. Calgary: Jason MacDonald, (1), (Chase Clayton, Jaynen Rissling), 18:27

Thanks,
Pat

Canes' Launch September Drive for Tickets

The only thing close to the rush you feel while watching a Canes game, is the rush you'll feel when you buy your season's tickets! Lethbridge Hurricane's season's tickets are on sale now - and with a reduced number of seats available due to renovations at the ENMAX Centre, it won't be long before they're all gone! Plus, starting on September 6th if you buy your tickets before September 26th, the Hurricane's will make a $20 donation to the Lethbridge YWCA Harbour House.

Feel the rush now; keep the rush all season long with the Lethbridge Hurricane's
Your community. Your team.

For more information on renewing existing tickets or on becoming a Season Ticket Holder; fans are encouraged to visit or contact the ENMAX Centre Ticket Office or the Yates Theatre Centre by calling (403) 329-SEAT or go visit us online at: www.lethbridgehurricanes.com

Information provided by Ryan Ohashi, Hurricanes Director of Communications

Thanks,
Pat

A Parent's Note of Thanks

I received this note from a friend of mine on the Hurricanes Board of Directors.

Given some the negative publicity surrounding the team over the off-season, I thought here's something positive. In my opinion, I think it gives a good indication about where this team is headed with the personnel in place:


Rich, I spoke with the Sofillas household in Morden, Manitoba this morning. I grew up with both of Michael’s parents and know the family well. I think you need to hear these glowing comments from the family regarding their experience with the Hurricanes organization in the early part of this hockey season.

Both Wendy and Komnino feel that they have committed their son’s future to an incredibly classy organization. Their high opinion of all our ‘people’ extends right from the trainers to the top people such as you Rich and they specifically singled out Brad, Matt, Chris and Rich S in their praise.

As you know the decisions that have to be made by parents in consultation with team officials at any level in hockey are note made without a lot of thought and consideration. They both feel their life-changing decision regarding Michael was made easier because they felt from the start that Michael’s best interests were at the forefront and that our organization was sincere with any and all advice our staff provided to them.

You may share this with anyone you feel should be aware of their sentiments. Have a great day.


Have a good one!
Pat

Canes' Sign Prospects....Pre-Season Roster

Lethbridge Hurricanes Training Camp may have come to an end but the Canes are proud to announce the beginning of several young prospects WHL careers. Lethbridge Hurricanes General Manager and Head Coach Rich Preston announced this morning that the club has signed 92-born forward Neal Tarnasky, 93-born defensemen Reid Jackson and Drew Graham, 93-born forward Michael Sofillas and 94-born Ryley Bennefield and Adam Henry.

Tarnasky, the younger brother of former Hurricanes forward and current Florida Panther Nick Tarnasky is a 6’0, 200 pound 92-born forward from Caroline, AB. He was selected by the Hurricanes in the 8th round (163rd overall) in the 2007 WHL Bantam draft. In 2008-09, the rugged winger tallied 24 points (11G, 13A) and 90 PIMs in 32 games with the Leduc AAA Midget Oil Kings of the AMHL.

Jackson and Graham, a pair of 93-born defensemen, were the Hurricanes 2nd and 3rd round selections in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft respectively. In 08-09, Jackson played in Minnesota for the Shattuck St.Mary’s U16 Sabres. The 6’2” 175 pound native of Weyburn, SK notched 15 assists and 40 penalty minutes in 35 games. In 07-08, Jackson helped anchor the blueline of the Weyburn Wings of the South Saskatchewan Bantam Hockey League. Graham, a 6’0, 195 pound d-man played last season for the Fraser Valley Bruins in BC Major Midget where he posted 11 points (4G, 7A) in 16 games with 26 PIMs. He was originally drafted from the Chilliwack Coyotes Bantam AAA club of the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association with the Canes third round pick (62nd overall) of the draft.

Sofillas, a skilled centre and list player from Morden, MB rounds out this group of 93-born players. Sofillas showed this weekend that he has a “knack for the net” during the Canes scrimmages showing off some of the talent which garnered him 37 points (18G, 19A) in 44 games with the Manitoba AAA Midget Pembina Hawks.

Hurricanes fans also may have gotten their first peek at the future this past weekend as the Canes signed a pair of 94-born players in Bennefield and Henry. Bennefield was drafted from the Leduc Bantam AAA Oil Kings with the Canes first selection – 33rd overall in the second round of the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. Bennefield is a 5’10” 160 pound forward who tallied 32 goals and 25 assists for 57 points and 59 Pims in 30 games last year in the AMBHL. Bennefield then wrapped up his season with an excellent showing at the Alberta Cup in Calgary where he competed with a broken collarbone. Henry played last season for the Bantam AAA Winnipeg Hawks and was selected 55th overall in the 2009 Draft. Henry ended the 08-09 campaign with 17 points (4G, 13A) and 52 Pims in 30 games and was the first defenseman chosen by the Hurricanes in the 2009 draft. This follows in the footsteps of Brennan Yadlowski (2006) and Ben Wright (2003) as the Canes first defenseman chosen in their Bantam draft year.

The Canes hope to have all six of these new Hurricanes in action this weekend as the Canes open their WHL exhibition season on the road with a pair of games in the Crowsnest Pass against the Calgary Hitmen and Kootenay Ice. All the action starts at 7:00 PM Saturday (September 5th) from the Crowsnest Sports Complex in Coleman (Crowsnest Pass), AB.

The Canes then line up against their rivals from the other side of the pass, the Kootenay Ice at 4:00 PM Sunday (September 6th) again from the Crowsnest Sports Complex in Coleman.

Tickets in Coleman are $12 per person, per game and are available at the door on game night or in advance from the following locations: Crowsnest/Coleman Sports Complex, Coleman HuskyCrocket's Trading in Bellevue, Blairmore Car Wash

Tickets are also available by email or phone through Crowsnest Minor Hockey! These tickets will be held and can be paid for at will-call in the arena until 15 minutes prior to game time. To email (preferred): crowsnestpassminorhockey@hotmail.com To order by phone: 1-403-563-0100

Information Courtesy of Ryan Ohashi, Hurricanes Director of Communications

Also, here is the list of players the Hurricanes have for the pre-season. These players are either still practicing with the club or will rejoin the Canes' during the exhibition season:

Goaltenders (3)
Michael Tadjdeh 91 Calgary, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Brandon Anderson 92 Langley, BC Columbia Valley - KIJHL
Ville Kolppanen 92 Tampere, Finland Ilves. Tampere

Defencemen (9)
Max Ross 90 Lethbridge, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Eric Mestery** 90 Winnipeg, MB Hurricanes - WHL
Brennan Yadlowski**91 Edmonton, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Derek Ryckman 92 Red Deer, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Cody Castro 92 Peoria, AZ Hurricanes - WHL
Drew Graham 93 Chilliwack, BC Bruins - BCAHA
Reid Jackson 93 Weyburn, SK Shattuck St Marys - US
Brandyn Hulit 93 Coutts, AB Hurricanes - SAML
Adam Henry 94 Winnipeg, MB AAA Winnipeg Hawks

Forwards (19)
Carter Bancks** 89 Marysville, BC Hurricanes - WHL
Kyle Beach** 90 Kelowna, BC Hurricanes - WHL
Brent Henke 90 Edmonton, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Craig Orfino 90 Edmonton, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Carter Ashton** 91 Saskatoon, SK Hurricanes - WHL
Cam Braes 91 Shawnigan Lake, BC Hurricanes - WHL
Taylor Elliot 91 Pincher Creek, AB AAA Titans - AMHL
Austin Fyten** 91 Sundre, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Brody Sutter 91 Calgary, AB Hurricanes - WHL
Garrett Taylor 91 San Diego, CA Hurricanes - WHL
Brandon Brossoit 92 Los Alamitos, CA Cali. Wave - US AAA
Ryon Moser 92 Calgary, AB AAA Buffs - AMHL
Mark Reners 92 Pincher Creek, AB AAA Titans - AMHL
Neil Tarnasky 92 Caroline, AB AAA Leduc - AMHL
Jordan Baillie 93 Ft.Sask. , AB Ft. SK Rangers - AMHL
Michael Sofillas 93 Morden, MB Pembina Hawks AAA
Philip Tot 93 Calgary, AB AAA Buffs - AMHL
Ryley Bennefield 94 Wetaskiwn, AB AAA Leduc - AMBHL Mitchell Guiel 94 Langley, BC Langley - BC Bantam Samuel McKechnie 94 Airdrie, AB Airdrie Xtreme - AMBHL

*Indicates Rookie
**Indicates Player may be attending Pro Camp


Thanks,
Pat

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

Hurricanes' Close 2009 Camp....Next Up: The Pre-Season

From the Canes' Office:

2009 Lethbridge Hurricanes Training Camp ended with a bang as Blake Robson’s Team Blue ground out a 5-4 win over Gerry Klinkhammer’s Team White in the Annual Blue and White game for charity on Sunday. As expected, team captains Ryon Moser (2G) of Team White and Mark Reners (1G, 1A) of Team Blue led the way with two points each while Team Blue’s Matthew Scarth (1G, 1A) and 94-born forwards Russell Maxwell (1G, 1A) and Tommy Hrazdira (1G, 1A) also had multi point games with John Lidgett notching the game winner in the final frame. Michael Sofillas and Sam McKechnie both scored for Team White in the loss.

Over the next few days, the Canes are expected to announce several more signings and additions as the team prepares for a busy preseason schedule. With six players leaving for various pro camps, several of these new Canes could find themselves donning the navy and crimson as soon as this week. Practice is scheduled for tomorrow 1:30 PM at Adams Ice Centre as the Canes preseason schedule kicks off on Friday (Sept.5/09) in Crowsnest Pass as the Canes take on the Kootenay Ice.

“We were very excited with the level of talent we saw this weekend and are currently in the process offering several of our prospects WHL agreements.” said Hurricanes Assistant General Manager Brad Robson “This should be a very exciting week for several of our prospects as they begin their careers in the Western Hockey League.”

Information from Ryan Ohashi, Hurricanes Director of Communications