It's been a busy month for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
So far a new Head Coach and a new logo and look for the upcoming season. The hockey club could announce one it's new assistant coaches this week as well, so needless to say there hasn't been a shortage of off-season news for this club. I would guess it won't be a quiet summer either as the team gears up for training camp at the end of August. The Hurricanes 2013-2014 schedule comes out June 26th as well as the rest of the WHL.
After the Canes unveiled their new logo last Thursday (June 13), I had a few minutes to talk with GM Brad Robson about that as well as the upcoming CHL Import Draft which takes place in early July. The CHL recently made changes, announcing this year will be the last year teams can choose a European goaltender. The hope is to give Canadian goalies more opportunities. The question is, might this completely change the plans of some General Managers in the CHL when it comes to the July 3rd Import Draft, knowing this is the final stand on Euro goaltenders? Perhaps it will, but not for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
As you will hear in the following interview, GM Robson will not be looking for a goalie in the draft as he's confident with the netminders currently in the Hurricanes system. They include Corbin Boes, Chris Tai, Jonny Hogue, Joey Desrosiers, Eric Szudor, and the latest being Stuart Skinner who the Canes selected 17th overall in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, by far the top goalie in the draft this past May.
The Hurricanes will have the 22nd overall selection in the Import Draft this year. That will more than likely be used to pick a defenceman according to Robson. Again, with the rule change on Euro goalies, you never know what kind of player will still be available at that number 22 spot.
The views expressed on this blog are those of the moderator and contributors and are not endorsed by 94.1 CJOC or the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
thank for always posting the interviews I like listening to them. bob
ReplyDeleteIf we get a top flight d-man at 22 because teams are reaching for the goalies, we should boast one of the best young d corps in the W. This is a new regime and I would like them to seriously consider trading for a big, character, shut down 20yr dman to replace Ramsay or Derko. It would take some pressure off of the two-three young rookie dmen (likely?) to join the team.
ReplyDeleteAlso makes the Boes – Skinner Trade much more desirable. I wonder how long Skinner would have lasted if the CHL announced the rule change prior to the bantam draft? You are going to see a lot more goalies taken in round one going forward.
Long Run