Hurricanes & Swift Current Blockbuster Trade

The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club announced Monday that they have acquired forwards Logan Barlage and Owen Blocker, defenseman Matthew Stanley, goaltender Logan Flodell, a first-round draft pick in the 2020 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft, a third-round pick in 2020 and a conditional second-round draft pick in 2021 from the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for forwards Giorgio Estephan and Tanner Nagel and goaltender Stuart Skinner.

Barlage (Bar-LOGGY), 16, was the fourth overall pick by the Broncos in the 2016 Bantam Draft. The product of Humboldt, Saskatchewan has seven points (1g-6a) along with 17 penalty minutes in 37 games this season for Swift Current. The 6’4”, 201-pound forward collected 76 points (37g-39a) in 44 games last season for the Prince Albert Mintos in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. In his bantam draft year, Barlage scored an impressive 125 points (60g-65a) in 30 games with his hometown Humboldt Broncos Bantam AA team.

Blocker, 17, was originally drafted in the second round (32^nd overall) by the Broncos in the 2015 Bantam Draft. The 6’1”, 190-pound forward from Oakbank, Manitoba has skated in 27 games this season for Swift Current scoring just one goal while adding 20 penalty minutes. In 70 career WHL games, Blocker has collected two points (1g-1a). He had 32 points (13g-19a) along with 88 penalty minutes in 42 games with the Eastman Selects Midget AAA team in 2015-2016.

Stanley, 19, was a 12^th round (248^th overall) draft pick by Swift Current in the 2013 Bantam Draft. The 6’1”, 177-pound rearguard from Balmoral, Manitoba has appeared in 40 games this year collecting four assists along with 40 penalty minutes. In 91 career games for the Broncos, he has earned five helpers along with 90 penalty minutes.

Flodell (Flow-DELL), 20, was originally a third round draft pick (47^th overall) by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the 2012 Bantam Draft. In 35 games this season with the Broncos, the overage goaltender from Regina, Saskatchewan has posted a 24-8-3-0 record with a 3.07 goals against average and a .913 save percentage along with three shutouts. Last season with the Saskatoon Blades, Flodell finished with 22 victories along with a 2.81 GAA and a .912 SV%. He was named an Eastern Conference second-team all-star last year.

“This was obviously a difficult trade to make, as you can imagine, but one we felt we had to do,” said Hurricanes General Manager Peter Anholt. “To be able to get Barlage in the trade was the key to this move. He’s a big, young guy who has a lot of potential and we think he will be a real good player who will be an important piece to our now and future. And to get Flodell, Blocker and Stanley to help us now is important; plus the draft picks.”

Nagel, 19, was an Alternate Captain for the Hurricanes. After being acquired from the Portland Winterhawks, he appeared in 107 career games with the Hurricanes collecting 24 points (13g-11a) along with 128 penalty minutes. He added four points (2g-2a) and 12 penalty minutes in 20 playoff games last year for the ‘Canes.

Estephan, 20, who was the ‘Canes 25^th Captain in franchise history ends his tenure with the Hurricanes having appeared in 297 regular season games scoring 297 career points (119g-178a) along with 101 penalty minutes. He added another 28 points (13g-15a) in 23 post-season games. The former fourth overall pick in the 2012 Bantam Draft finishes fifth in all-time franchise games played (297), tied for seventh in all-time points (297), ninth in all-time goals (119) and fourth in all-time assists (178).

Skinner, 19, was originally drafted by the Hurricanes 17^th overall in the 2013 Bantam Draft. The Edmonton product finishes having played in 182 career games for the ‘Canes posting an 88-66-8-5 record with a 3.30 goals against average and a .907 save percentage. He also posted a 3.18 GAA and a .911 SV% in 24 career post-season games with the Hurricanes. Skinner finishes first in career games played by a goaltender in Hurricanes franchise history (182), first in minutes played (9,885), first in saves (5,318) and first in all-time victories by a goaltender (88).

“It always hard to trade guys that have been as important to your franchise as Tanner, Giorgio and Stuart. The sacrifice that they have put forth for our organization cannot be understated and we can’t thank them enough and we certainly wish them all the best moving forward,” said Anholt.

The Hurricanes would like to thank Giorgio, Stuart and Tanner for their efforts and sacrifices in their time with the Hurricanes and wish them the best in their future endeavours.

The Hurricanes return to action on Tuesday when they welcome the Red Deer Rebels to the ENMAX Centre at 7:00pm in the first of a home-and-home. Tickets for the game can be purchased online, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre.

- Lethbridge Hurricanes 

Hurricanes Holding Don Cherry Night

The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club will host the ‘WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation – Presented by RE/MAX Night’ this coming Friday, October 27th at the ENMAX Centre when the ‘Canes host the Calgary Hitmen.

The Hurricanes will wear special Don Cherry themed jerseys that will be then autographed and available via an online auction that will commence at 7:00 pm on Friday and will a run until 11:30 pm on Wednesday, November 1st. All proceeds raised during the online auction will be donated to the Kidney Foundation of Canada. The auction will also include a jersey signed by Don Cherry himself.

Additionally, there will be Don Cherry bobbleheads available for the first 1,000 fans through the doors on Friday night. There will be only one bobblehead permitted per person and you must be present to claim it. There will also be a Don Cherry cutout that will be available to take photos with, as well as Don Cherry chap-stick and 4,000 player cards available for fans.

While Don Cherry himself won’t be present, his daughter Cindy will be at the game. Cindy Cherry is a live kidney donor herself having donated a kidney to her younger brother Tim. Currently in Canada, there are close to 4,500 Canadians awaiting organ donation – 76 percent of whom require a kidney.

 

To receive more information on the WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation – Presented by RE/MAX or to sign up to become a donor, visit www.canadadonates.ca. Fans are encouraged to dress up in their best Don Cherry outfit for the game!

(Lethbridge Hurricanes Release)

Thanks,

Pat 

WHL Going to 68 Game Schedule

The Western Hockey League announced today the WHL Board of Governors has adopted a 68-game schedule for the WHL Regular Season, effective for the 2018-19 season. The decision was made at the WHL Board of Governors meeting, which was held Wednesday in Calgary.

The WHL Regular Season schedule currently sees each team play 72 games, which has been the case since the 1975-76 season. Playing four less games during the Regular Season will serve to reduce travel and balance the schedule while providing more time for players to focus on training and skill development, as well as their academic studies. Further details on the schedule format will be released at a later date.

The Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League currently play a 68-game regular season schedule. With the WHL reduction in games, it will result in all three Canadian Hockey League member leagues playing the same number of games.

“By reducing our WHL Regular Season schedule, I believe this further demonstrates our WHL Club commitment to providing our players with the best possible environment to develop, both as hockey players and student athletes,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “The WHL takes great pride in being a world leader in player development and education opportunities, and we are fully committed to enhancing our player experience on an ongoing basis.”

(WHL Release)

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Pat

Calen Addison Named to WHL Players to Watch List

The National Hockey League’s Central Scouting Service issued its Preliminary ‘Players to Watch’ list for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft Tuesday and Lethbridge Hurricanes defenseman Calen Addison was ranked as a ‘B’ Level skater.

Hurricanes defenceman Calen Addison. Photo credit to Doug Wescott.

Addison, 17, is in his second season with the Hurricanes. The former second overall pick in the 2015 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft, Addison appeared in 63 games last season with the ‘Canes registering 33 points (9g-24a) along with a plus-6 rating and 52 penalty minutes.

The product of Brandon, Manitoba added two assists in 13 post-season games last year.

The sophomore rearguard has collected three assists along with four penalty minutes in four regular season games so far this year. Addison, along with Hurricanes head coach Brent Kisio, was a key member of Team Canada at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup Tournament in August helping Canada to a Gold medal.

The ‘B’ rating indicates a second or third round candidate for the 2018 Entry Draft. TSN’s Craig Button had Addison ranked 38th among skaters eligible for the 2018 draft on his pre-season draft rankings.

Addison is one of 27 WHL players ranked for the upcoming draft by Central Scouting.

(Lethbridge Hurricanes Release)

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Pat

WHL TRADE; Canes Swing Deal With Cougars

The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club announced Wednesday that the team has acquired 1997-born defenseman Tate Olson from the Prince George Cougars in exchange for a third round selection in the 2018 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.

Olson, 20, was originally drafted by the Cougars in the second round (24th overall) in the 2012 Bantam Draft. In his four year career, Olson has skated in a total of 252 games registering 107 points (23g-84a) along with a plus-12 rating and 236 penalty minutes. The left-handed rearguard appeared in 67 games last year for Prince George collecting 26 points (7g-19a) with a plus-9 rating and 60 penalty minutes.

The product of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2015 National Hockey League Entry Draft in the seventh round (210th overall). He had a career offensive season in 2015-2016 with the Cougars when he finished with 47 points (9g-38a) along with 90 penalty minutes.

“Tate’s one of the premier defenseman in the league and any time you get a chance to add a guy like him you have the obligation to do that,” said Hurricanes General Manager Peter Anholt. “I think coming out to the Eastern Conference will be a nice change for him. Tate is certainly capable of playing the power play, he’s got a lot of attributes and we think he can be a real good player for us.”

Olson will be sidelined until the beginning of November after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery.

(Lethbridge Hurricanes Release)

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Pat

Hurricanes Add Two Players to Roster

The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club announced on Wednesday it has added overage forward Jack Flaman and 1999 born forward Zach Cox from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. 

Flaman, 20, was undrafted in the Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. The Vibank, Saskatchewan product was a member of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants for the past two seasons. In 2016-2017 Flaman recorded 22 points (15g-7a) along with 31 penalty minutes with the Giants finishing fourth on the team in goals. He has appeared 147 career WHL games with the Giants and Portland Winterhawks. 

Cox, 18, was originally selected in the eighth round (167th overall) by the Regina Pats in the 2014 Bantam Draft. The 6’4”, 188-pound right-winger appeared in 58 games last season with the Drayton Valley Thunder of the Alberta Junior Hockey League where he recorded 25 points (10g-15a) along with 45 penalty minutes. Cox has skated in four games with the Nipawin Hawks of the SJHL where he registered one goal and three assists. Both Flaman and Cox are expected to play this weekend for the Hurricanes. 

(Lethbridge Hurricanes Release)

The Hurricanes brought in Flaman since defenceman Brennan Menell signed an entry level deal with the NHL's Minnesota Wild. He's eligible to play for the Wild's ANHL team in Iowa. It's not known if and when Menell will return to Lethbridge.

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Pat

Mascot Twister Retiring After 30 Years

The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club have learned that the clubs mascot Twister has decided that after 30 years with the team he has decided to retire.

Twister notified the club on Thursday of his decision stating that the Dairy Queen Home Opener on Friday, September 22nd against the Medicine Hat Tigers will be his final game.

Photo credit to Lethbridge Hurricanes

“This decision did not come easy by any means,” wrote Twister in a letter to the team and fans. “It was very apparent to me during the Whoop Up Days Parade in August that I am ready to step away and spend more time with my family.”

Twister spent 30 years as the Hurricanes mascot joining the team in their inaugural season in 1987. He was a member of all four teams that went to the Western Hockey League Finals, including the Championship victory in 1997.
“Being considered Southern Alberta’s favourite mascot was a dream come true,” added Twister.

“We are very sad to hear of Twister’s decision to retire,” said Hurricanes General Manager of Business Operations, Terry Huisman. “His contribution to our franchise for 30 years has been very impactful. We want to thank Twister for all of his efforts over the last three decades.”

The Hurricanes, who are slated to open the 2017-2018 season next Friday, September 22nd against the Medicine Hat Tigers will announce Twister’s successor prior to next week’s Dairy Queen Home Opener.

(Lethbridge Hurricanes Release)

Thanks,

Pat