Getting Ready For Opening Night

This should be a busy few days for the Lethbridge Hurricanes as the hockey club gets ready to open the WHL's regular season this weekend.

A couple of things need to be taken care of before that happens. As of Monday night, no word from the hockey club as to players be reassigned. I was told that likely wouldn't be announced until Tuesday as the Hockey Operation staff is still trying to decide which direction they want to go, not to mention a few injuries that the Coaches will have to factor in when deciding on a roster for this weekend. I would expect that will be decided very soon.

Goalie Brandon Anderson is back in town after attending the Washington Capitals camp. Dylan Purcell from the Lethbridge Herald was on our CJOC Hurricanes This Week talk show Monday night and said he talked with Anderson and noticed he is coming into this season with a new attitude and sense of excitement. That should bode well for the Hurricanes, especially since Dylan Tait and Tanner Kovacs played exceptionally well between the pipes in the pre-season.

The other item that will have to dealt with is who will be the next Captain of this hockey team? There are some very worthy names like Reddington, Braes, Fyten, and Yadlowski just to name a few. I would suggest regardless of who gets the "C", all four of those guys could very well be wearing a letter on their jersey this season. Regardless though of which player is named Captain, a lot of players will be relied upon to help lead this team this season.

I think Hurricanes fans are little more excited and optimistic about this upcoming season. A really good exhibition I'm sure peaked the curiosity of a few, but we will see how things play out in the weeks ahead. Last year was a rough year. A year some would rather forget. Perhaps the Hurricanes can and will use that as motivation this season. The 2010-2011 edition of the Canes' might very well surprise a few people. Sure, this team will have it's ups and downs, but the bar is definitely going to be raised. Fans won't take another 20 win season and quite frankly, I don't think the coaching and hockey operations staff will either. They set the record straight at end of last season that come this fall, things would be different. I certainly love the attitude and approach the coaches and players are taking into this campaign. It's more business-like and a sense of seriousness. We will soon find out.

Hurricanes @ Calgary: Friday, September 24 7pm (MDT)

What a way to open the new season, eh! The Hurricanes will face the defending WHL Champion Calgary Hitmen at the Saddledome. The Canes' will look to spoil the party when they roll into town. The Hitmen pretty much steamrolled every team in their path last season, en route to the league title and a birth into the Memorial Cup. How will they be this year? I certainly won't underestimate that team. A lot people I think expected Calgary would finish in the middle of the pack last season, but that sure never happened. They got off to a roaring start and never looked back. The Hitmen have had the Hurricanes number for the past couple of seasons. The Canes' would like to try and even the score somewhat this season. Fred and I will be on the air Friday night with our pre-game show starting at 6:30 and the puck drops after 7pm. The Hitmen will hold a ceremony to honour last year's Championship team prior to the game getting underway.

Thanks,
Pat

This blog post is brought to you by www.clearlylethbridge.com.