"It's Hockey Night Tonight!!"

The Lethbridge Hurricanes start a brand new WHL season tonight when the travel to Calgary to take on the Hitmen at the Saddledome.

It's been an awfully long off-season for this Hurricanes organization. The last time they played a game that had any real meaning was back in mid-March. Six long months are here we are once again, on the dawn of a new season. A chance for this year's edition of the Lethbridge Hurricanes to make amends for a 20 win season in 2009-2010. It was season a lot of fans would rather forget, but something tells me the returning players on this team, and there are many, might just use the struggles of last season as motivation this time around.

Sure, when you look at the Hurricanes starting roster for tonight's opener, there are many names on this team now that were here last season. These players return with a new mindset, new expectations, and a lot more experience. There is some young talent too with the newcomers on this team. Brady Ramsey, Michael Sofillas, Alex Kuvaev, Russ Maxwell and Brandyn Hulit, just to name a few. These young men should complement a more mature and experienced group of returnees. Perhaps the Hurricanes are most strongest in goal. Rich Preston likes to build his teams from the backend out. It appears that might be the case with this group.

Brandon Anderson will be given the task to be the starter with Dylan Tait as his back-up. If both these players push each other as this season goes on, this could be a strong year for the Hurricanes goaltenders. Anderson has had a lot attention lately. He signed an NHL entry level contract with Washington last week. That should give him a huge confidence boost heading into this season as the known starter. On defence, the Canes' go from having one of the youngest bluelines in the WHL to one of the oldest. The "D" will be lead by new Captain Mike Reddington and veteran Brennan Yadlowski. Lethbridge will need more in terms of offence from the defence this season. Something this team lacked last year was goal scoring by defenceman. Up front, no doubt Cam Braes, Austin Fyten, and Mitch Maxwell will be relied upon to lead the way offensively. The Canes' will need more this year from guys like Brody Sutter, Ryon Moser, Neil Tarnasky, and Mark Reners. It is imperitive that the scoring be spread around and not one or two or three players having to provide the majority of the goal scoring. The Hurricanes special teams will be under the microscope as well. The team struggled in both those areas last season and were right near the bottom in both statistical categories in 09/10. This year's Hurricanes come into this season opener tonight a little more determined, more focused, bigger, stronger, and more experienced too.

Getting off to a good start on the road will be key. The Hurricanes went 0-5 in there first five games on the road last season. They'll be looking to get out of the gate much quicker this year. Tonight Lethbridge will be put to the test right off the bat. The defending WHL Champion Calgary Hitmen provide the opposition. The Hitmen were impressive last year and won the league title with relative ease. Unlike the Hurricanes, the off-season for the Hitmen was short. They last played at the Memorial Cup in late May. This Hitmen group has lost a number of key players from last year's team. This is certainly one group I wouldn't be underestimating. Kelly Kisio seems to always put together a strong, competitive team, which has been at or near the top of the Eastern Conference for the past number of seasons. These two teams have developed a nice little rivalry over the years as well, especially given the number of times they've hooked up in the playoffs. The Hitmen will honour last year's winning team tonight before the puck drops. Calgary will raise their 2009-2010 WHL Championship banner before we get things started. The Hurricanes would love nothing more than to steal two points, start the season off with bang, and spoil Calgary's party!

Game time will be around 7:10pm. The pre-game show on 94.1, CJOC at 6:30 with myself and Fred Jack. If the pre-season was any indication, this Lethbridge team could be an interesting group to watch this year. We will get our first taste tonight!

Thanks,
Pat

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