What's in a Logo?

As mentioned in my report from the Hurricanes Annual General Meeting, the hockey club will stick with the logo it unveiled on it's third jersey last season and adopt that design and colour scheme permanently starting this coming WHL season.

There's no question the Hurricanes have gone through a number of logos over their 25 year history, most of those in the last 10 to 12 years. I had a chance to sit down with Business Manager Jim Bradley to talk more about the new logo. The logo pictured below will be on the Hurricanes white away jerseys starting this fall.




Pat: Jim, why is it important that this organization pick a logo and stick with it. There've been a number of different ones over the last few years.

Bradley: "Logos since the beginning of organized sports, teams have had jerseys whether it be baseball or hockey. Team have had to identify themselves. This is a very important part for our marketing, is the uniform and/or logo needs to represent our brand and ultimately our organization." The logo below will be on the Hurricanes home red jerseys this season.

Pat: With all the different logos the Hurricanes have had over the years, why this one going forward?

Bradley: "Well, for me it's about finding the centre of the organization. We have to find out who we are and our logo and uniform need to have consistency. From a logo and jersey standpoint, it's a visual symbol of the brand."

Pat: Jim, what about this specific logo made you guys decide this was the look and design you the organization wanted?

Bradley: "Well, clearly everything in your logo and uniform needs to communicate and have a purpose, whether it be the shape of the logo, type set, graphic elements, or the colours. Lots of studies out there talk about the importance when it comes to the shape of a logo and that horizontal-type logos are better. There is obviously some heritage with this logo. We're drafting a little bit off of what the Capitals (Washington) have done, but some of this goes back to what the original Hurricanes had, with the stars on the jersey. That's a big part of the Hurricanes heritage. As for the colours, the red, white, and blue goes back with the Hurricanes as well. We're leaning on red as kind of our core-base colour. I think red just represents so much about excitement, energy, and passion."

Fans will be able to purchase merchandise this coming season with the Hurricanes new logo featured.

Thanks,
Pat

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

Hurricanes Training Camp: The Forwards

In the final of Ryan Ohashi's three-part series, we preview just a few of the names to look for in the Hurricanes forward group:

Fans should be ready for a show as the Hurricanes 20-year old overage players look to be one of the elite offensive units in the WHL. 2010-11 Alternate Captains Cam Braes (31G, 30A) and Austin Fyten (24G, 30A) once again finished their seasons with career bests. Both are true Hurricanes home grown talents from an impressive 2006 Bantam draft (Braes – 3rd round, 48th overall & Fyten – 2nd round, 27th overall). Braes ended 2010-11 with 61 points (31G, 30A) and 109 PIMs en route to the Hurricanes Top Scorer and Hurricanes Three Stars award. The native of Shawnigan Lake, BC became the Hurricanes first player to tackle the 30 goal plateau since Carter Ashton accomplished the feat in 08-09. Braes also enters this season nearing history as his amazing 276 WHL regular season games played in a Hurricanes jersey is only 60 games off of the 336 game mark set by Shane Peacock for the most career games played by a Hurricane all time.

Fyten had an injury plagued 2010-11 but was still able to tally a career year with 54 points (24G, 30A) and 103 PIMs in just 52 games due to an early season injury. A former Hurricanes Rookie of the Year award winner – Fyten, like Braes, has posted career seasons every year as a Hurricane and this year was the recipient of the Harry Ingarfield Memorial awarded to the Hurricanes MVP. Some of the past recipients of this award include Byron Ritchie, Brent Seabrook and Zach Boychuk. Fyten spent time this off season at the New York Rangers prospect camp and will attend Training Camp with Philadelphia Flyers this fall during the WHL Preseason.

Brody Sutter entered 2010-11 in search of a potential breakout season and after battling through some early injury he found it in the form of 42 points (18G, 24A) in just 46 games – tripling his previous career best season. When healthy he formed a potent tandem with Braes and Fyten and during the month of January - the trio (Braes (10G,9A), Fyten (9G,11A) and Sutter (4G,10A)) combined for an amazing 53 points (23G,30A) in just 14 games. After the 10-11 season he was awarded the 2011 Joan Kobal Memorial Award for perseverance, dedication and sportsmanship. This past summer his efforts were rewarded after he was selected in the 7th round of the 2011 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. Carolina selected Sutter with the 193rd overall pick and he became the third Lethbridge Hurricanes NHL Draft Pick to go to Raleigh, following in the footsteps of Zach Boychuk (1st rd. 2008) and Shane Willis (4th rd. 1997). Sutter became the 54th Lethbridge Hurricane to be selected in the NHL Draft and he currently has two cousins in Carolina's system with Brandon in Carolina and Brett currently playing in Charlotte the team's AHL affiliate. Sutter attended Carolina Hurricanes rookie camp during the summer and will attend his first NHL main camp this fall.

The Hurricanes will have a solid duo of veterans returning to the club up front with 92-born power forward Graham Hood and 93-born Philip Tot returning to the lineup with a pair of WHL seasons under their belt. At 6’3” 223 pounds Hood is by far the biggest body in the Hurricanes camp and has all the tools to be one of the elite power forwards in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. Tot will return to the ice for his third season in a Canes jersey and will look to turn some heads as his late birthdate makes him a 2012 eligible draft pick.

The Canes will have a hungry group of young guns up front led by none other then 2010-11 Hurricanes Rookie of the Year Russell Maxwell. The younger brother of graduate Mitch Maxwell – Russ will look to follow up his stellar 16 year old season with the same feisty edgy play that made him a fan favorite. Others looking to step up in their sophomore seasons include 93-born Michael Sofillas (So-fil-us) and Brady Ramsay. The Canes also added some international flavor to the 93-born group drafting Slovakian Juraj Bezuch [Yur-eye Be-Zoo-ch] a 5’10 175 pound forward in this past summer’s 2011 CHL Import Draft. Bezuch has been a member of both the U18 and U20 Slovakian National team and last season he tallied 38 goals and 27 assists for 65 points in 40 games in the U18 Extraliga Slovakia.

This group will be pushed by the likes of 94-born prospects and 2009 Hurricanes draft picks Sam McKechnie (3rd rd. 47th overall), Jaimen Yakubowski (4th rd. 77th overall) and 94-born forward Mitch Guiel (5th rd. 103rd overall). Add to this Regina Pats 2nd round pick Tayler Balog and the Canes begin to show their depth at the position with an abundance of skill and youth.

What should make this one of the most competitive Hurricanes Training Camps is an impressive 95-born class led by the Canes 2010 1st round pick (3rd overall) Jay Merkley the highest WHL drafted Lethbridge Hurricanes forward of all time. Last season he totaled 43 points (14G, 29A) in 32 games as a 15 year old in the Alberta Midget Hockey League with the AAA Calgary Buffaloes. Craig Leverton, selected by the Canes with one of their three second round selections (25th overall) is coming off a solid 2010-11 in which he tallied 32 points (10G, 22A) in 33 games with the Saskatoon Contacts of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. Other 2010 Canes draft picks to keep an eye on up front include Jamal Watson (5th rd. 103rd overall) and Remi Laurencelle (8th rd. 157th overall). This camp will also be the first for several recent Canes draft picks including 96-born Top 5 pick Reid Duke. Duke was drafted 5th overall by the Canes in the 2011 draft this past summer becoming one of three Hurricanes forwards to be selected by Lethbridge in the Top 5 of the WHL Draft - the others being Merkley (3rd overall in 2010) and former Canes power forward Dwight King (4th overall in 2004). Duke was a force to be reckoned with this past season posting 64 points (28G, 36A) and 79 PIMs in 30 games with the Calgary Royals (AMBHL).

Overage Forwards: Cam Braes (91), Austin Fyten (91), Brody Sutter (91)

Veteran Forwards: Graham Hood (92), Phil Tot (93)

Sophomores in 11-12: Russell Maxwell (94), Brady Ramsay (93), Michael Sofillas (93)

Rookie (s) to keep an eye on at camp: Tayler Balog (94), Juraj Bezuch (93), Mitch Guiel (94), Remi Laurencelle (95), Craig Leverton (95), Jay Merkley (95), Sam McKechnie (94), Jamal Watson (95), Jaimen Yakubowski (94)

2011 WHL Draft Picks Attending 1st Camp: Reid Duke (96), Kolten Olynek (96), Carter Amson (96), Tyler Wong (96), Colby Chartier (96), Reid Nemeth (96)

(From Ryan Ohashi, Hurricanes Manager of Communications & Events)

Thanks,
Pat

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

Meet New President Don Clark

So who is Don Clark you ask?

Well, I had a chance to speak to the newly-elected Hurricanes President this week to ask a few questions about his mandate and future outlook for the organization. Maybe a bit of background on Don first. He's 53 years old and has lived in southern Alberta for the last 23 years. Don is a local Chartered Accountant and has been involved in a number of for and non-for-profit boards over the last 30 years.

Don believes the role of the Hurricanes Board of Directors is to support the management of the organization and provide assistance where it can in terms of fund raising efforts, community involvement, and team outreach initiatives.

The following is a little Q & A session I had with Don this week.

Pat: Don, what is your mandate as they new President of the Lethbridge Hurricanes?

Clark: "Well, these are certainly big shoes to fill. Over the last few years Brian (McNaughton) and the Board have worked hard to put a plan together with not only the on-ice product, but with Jim (Bradley) and the marketing that he's done. We're excited about the opportunity to engage the community in plans that we have. Our mandate is to stick the course and to work hard to earn the right to our customers' money and have them come back to the games."

Pat: Don, why did you run for President and why did you want this gig? Essentially, you are now the spokesman for the entire organization.

Clark: "I joined the Board for two reasons. One, because I believe in it and two, because I think I can contribute something. This is not about me in any stretch of the imagination, but rather it's about working with those other 14 people (on the Board) and all the staff who can contribute to making this a real good thing in this community and southern Alberta."

Pat: What can Don Clark do to make a difference within the organization?

Clark: "I think what we can do as a group is we can work together, not just as a Board or management team, but effectively with the media and the community to strengthen our position as an entertainment opportunity for customers. That's what we're all hoping to do. It's all of us rowing in the same direction. That's what we want to do in this community and for the team."

Pat: Do you plan on doing things differently and do you have a different style?

Clark: "I think everyone brings their own style and I think as we work with management and with the rest of the Board that'll all come into play. Our plans are to work cooperatively, not only with the team, but to also get out in the community and to get a little more engaged in our own ways so that we can learn about what people's needs are and adapt to that market place."

Thanks,
Pat

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

Don Clark New President of Hurricanes Board of Directors

Following Tuesday night’s first meeting of the 2011-12 Lethbridge Hurricanes Board of Directors congratulations go out to Board Member Don Clark who was elected the new President of the hockey club.

Clark will take over from former President Brian McNaughton whom was not reelected at the Hurricanes AGM. Clark will head up a Board made of Vice President Brian Wichers, Adele Barrington, Herb Beswick, Rick Braden, Brad Cook, Auke Elzinga, Dick Gibson, Randy Joevenazzo, John Koliaska, George McCrea, Dave Olson, Duane Ptycia, Kelly Shigehiro, Pat Shimbashi and Jim Whittaker.

Other details completed at last night’s meeting included the following selections on Committees and Committee Chairs:

2011 - 2012 Executive Positions – Lethbridge Hurricanes Board of Directors
President: Don Clark
Vice President: Brian Wichers
Finance Chair: Don Clark
Secretary: Dave Olson

2011- 2012 Committee Appointments
Business Operations/Finance Pat Shimbashi – Chair; Brad Cook, Don Clark, Auke Elzinga, John Koliaska, Dave Olson

Hockey Operations: Randy Joevenazzo – Chair; George McCrea, Kelly Shigehiro, Brian Wichers

Communications: Dick Gibson – Chair; Adele Barrington

Governance: George McCrea – Chair; Herb Beswick, Herman Elfring, Pat Shimbashi

Onside: Brian Wichers – Chair; Dick Gibson, John Koliaska, Dave Olson, Duane Ptycia, Jim Whittaker

Billet Liaison: Pat Shimbashi – Chair; Adele Barrington

ENMAX Liaison: Don Clark – Chair; Rick Braden, Jim Bradley, Don Clark

Hall of Fame Alumni: Dick Gibson – Chair; Herman Elfring, Dave Olson, Duane Ptycia, Kelly Shigehiro, Brian Wichers.

(From Ryan Ohashi, Hurricanes Manager of Communications & Events)

Thanks,
Pat

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

Hurricanes Training Camp Preview: The Defence

Hurricanes Training Camp is set to kick off from the Adams Ice Centre (9th Avenue and 13th St. North) on Wednesday, August 31st.

In part two of Ryan Ohashi's three part series, we preview just a few of the names to look for in the Hurricanes exciting young defense:

The Canes D will have a core of solid 92-born defensemen led by Daniel Johnston, Tyler Kizuik, Landon Oslanski and Derek Ryckman. Oslanski and Johnston emerged at the end of last season as power play options on the point while Ryckman will look to take a big step forward after playing more than 60 games last season for the first time in the last three seasons. The 6’4” 205 pounder from Red Deer, AB has all the size and potential to be a premier shutdown d-man. Oslanski led all Canes defensemen in scoring last season and posted 25 points (7G, 18A, 5 PPG, 11 PPA) while finding a place on the Canes Power play while the hard hitting Johnston had similar numbers with 19 points (4G, 15A, 3PPG, 7PPA).

The 93-born group is led by Reid Jackson who is now entering this third season in the WHL. Jackson earned an invite to Calgary Flames Training Camp this fall after going undrafted in the 2011 NHL Draft. A great change in his offseason training regimen has Jackson entering camp at close to the 190 pound mark compared to his 176 pound frame from last season. This added size combined with his skill and agility at moving the puck will make him one of the key players in the Canes defensive corps. Ironically, the Canes two rookie 93-born d-men will be a player playing closest to home – Brandyn Hulit and a player playing furthest from home in Albin Blomqvist. Hulit spent most of the second half of last season travelling and practicing with the Canes after his AMHL season with the Lethbridge AAA Hurricanes came to a close. Hulit battled through a head injury to finish the year with 5 points (2G, 3A) and 98 PIMs in just 31 games. Blomqvist [Bloo-M-Qwist], a native of Kristianstad, Sweden was the Canes first selection in the 2011 CHL Import Draft in the first round (12th overall). Blomqvist is a 6’3”, 194 pound defenseman who was a member of the Swedish U-17 and U-18 National teams and was the winner of a silver medal in the 2010-11 U18 World Juniors. 94-born prospect and 2009 Hurricanes draft pick Adam Henry (3rd rd. 55th overall) will return to camp after being a late cut in 2010. Henry had a great season in Winnipeg this past year with 23 points (5G, 18A) as a major part of the D for the 2011 Telus Cup Champion Winnipeg Thrashers.

Again, adding to the intrigue will be a pair of blue chip 95-born defensemen in 2010 Hurricanes Bantam draft picks Macoy Erkamps and Joel Topping. Erkamps was drafted in the second round (27th overall) of the 2010 Draft and is a solid two way defenseman coming off a season in the BCMML where he posted 19 points (4G, 15A) in 32 games and was an MML Allstar. Erkamps also served as an alternate Captain for the gold medal winning Team BC U16s at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax last February. Topping is another two way defenseman who was selected by the Canes in the second round (41st overall) of the 2010 Draft. He also posted 19 points (10G, 9A) in 32 games with the Red Deer AAA Optimist Rebels of the AMHL – as a 15 year old.

The wild card of this group is 95-born defenseman Branden Schiedl. Schiedl is a 5’9” 160 pound defenseman and one of Portland’s 4th round picks (72nd overall) in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. Last season he was a teammate of Canes 2nd round pick Craig Leverton and played good minutes as a member of the Saskatoon Contacts who played in the Championship game of the 2010 Macs Midget Tournament. Scheidl was also selected to play for Team Saskatchewan U16 in the 2011 Canada Winter Games. This camp will also be the first for several recent Canes draft picks including 96-born Top 5 pick Ryan Pilon. Pilon joined Jay Merkley this past draft as the highest drafted Lethbridge Hurricanes player of all time – 3rd overall and is the highest drafted defenseman in Canes history. He is a 6’1” 176 pound d-man from Duck Lake, SK and is a highly touted prospect, ranked by many as the most talented d-man in the draft. Last season, he notched 45 points (27G,18A) in 20 games with Warman of the CFHL.

Overages:
Veterans: Derek Ryckman (92), Daniel Johnston (92), Tyler Kizuik (92), Landon Oslanski (92), Reid Jackson (93)

Sophomores:

Rookie (s) to keep an eye on at camp: Albin Blomqvist (93), Macoy Erkamps (95), Brandyn Hulit (93), Adam Henry (94), Branden Schiedl (95), Joel Topping (95)

2011 WHL Draft Picks Attending 1st Camp: Ryan Pilon (96), Bryton Sayers (96), Roman Melzer (96), Phoenix Worth (96)

Be sure to visit LethbridgeHurricanes.com for daily Hurricanes 2011 Training Camp news – full camp lists will be made available following player registration. Scrimmages will begin on Thursday before the players are divided into three teams of rookies and veterans for the weekend inter squad games with a wrap up on Sunday morning with a Championship game. Fans are encouraged to attend camp to get their first look at the 2010-11 Hurricanes – On Saturday and Sunday, volunteers from the Lethbridge United Way will be on hand to take donations upon entry for this worthwhile cause.

Don't forget to follow us on twitter at: www.twitter.com/WHLHurricanes.

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

Hurricanes Training Camp Preview: The Goalies

Hurricanes Training Camp is set to kick off from the Adams Ice Centre (9th Avenue and 13th St. North) on Wednesday, August 31st. The team's Communications and Events Manager Ryan Ohashi has put together a three part training camp preview, starting with the goalies.

This year’s Training Camp is expected to play host to over 65 participants and includes 15 returning players from the Canes 2010-11 lineup. Exclusions include Swedish forward Jacob Berglund who signed a pro contract in Sweden, Alex Kuvaev who was signed to a pro contract in the Russian KHL and goaltender Dylan Tait – who signed his letter of intent to play at the University of Lethbridge this fall. Returning Forwards Ryon Moser and Neil Tarnasky were both released this past summer. Other departures include overage graduates Max Ross (who will attend the University of Calgary), 2011 Captain Mike Reddington and Mitch Maxwell (Who is set to depart for his mission in West Virginia).

In the first of a three part series, we preview just a few of the names to look for in the Hurricanes cage now and in the future:

Hurricanes veteran Brandon Anderson will begin the season as the Hurricanes starting goaltender and is expected to flourish as a 19 year old starter. That being said Anderson will challenged by a mixed group of draft picks and prospects this season. A fiery competitor from Langley, BC – Anderson made the most of an NHL camp invite last season and inked an entry level contract with the Washington Capitals. He continued to develop last season – posting a 17-26-5-7 record with a 3.77 GAA and a 0.888 sv % - Anderson accounted for 17 of the Canes 23 wins last season and totaled up over 1600 saves.

The battle for the Canes other goaltending spot falls to a group of bright young rookies led by breakout goaltender Tanner Kovacs. Kovacs showed great promise and was listed by the Canes after a solid 2009 Training Camp. This season the 94-born youngster exploded onto the scene in the Alberta Midget Hockey League leading the AMHL with a 1.95 GAA and an impressive 0.925 save percentage. Hurricanes 4th round pick and fifth selection in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft – 95-born Ryan Ferguson will attend his second WHL camp. Ironically, the now 6’2 tall Ferguson is the Canes highest drafted goaltender since 2007 when the club drafted Anderson with the 50th overall selection in the third round. Christopher Tai was listed following Training Camp last season – The B.C. native will also be attending his second WHL camp.

One of the great storylines coming out of the 2011 Bantam Draft this summer was the selection of local product Jonny Hogue who will be attending his first WHL camp this year. Hogue, was selected by the Canes in the 8th round (158th overall) and has history with the club as a former Hurricanes stick boy. The homegrown talent backstopped the Lethbridge Val Matteotti Golden Hawks this past season where he posted an .894 save percentage with a 3.93 GAA while also playing the second most minutes in the AMBHL with 1405. He then followed that up with a very solid showing at the Alberta Cup in Lethbridge earning a late round selection.

Veteran: Brandon Anderson (92)
Sophomore:
Rookie (s) to watch: Tanner Kovacs (94), Ryan Ferguson (95), Christopher Tai (95)
2011 WHL Draft Picks Attending 1st Camp: Jonny Hogue (96)

Be sure to visit LethbridgeHurricanes.com for daily Hurricanes 2011 Training Camp news – full camp lists will be made available following player registration. Scrimmages will begin on Thursday before the players are divided into three teams of rookies and veterans for the weekend inter squad games with a wrap up on Sunday morning with a Championship game. Fans are encouraged to attend camp to get their first look at the 2010-11 Hurricanes – On Saturday and Sunday, volunteers from the Lethbridge United Way will be on hand to take donations upon entry for this worthwhile cause.

Don't forget to follow us on twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/WHLHurricanes

2011 Training Camp Schedule:

Wednesday August 31
3:00 – 5:00 Registration – All Players
5:00 – 5:30 Player/ Parent Orientation
6:00 – 7:00 Team A Practice
7:15 – 8:15 Team B Practice

Thursday September 1 - Open to Public
9:30 – 11:00 Team A vs. Team B
12:00 – 2:00 Practice : All other players
3:00 – 4:30 Team B vs. Team A
5:30 – Team Event (Closed)

Friday September 2 - Open to Public
8:00 – 9:45 Team Red vs. Team Blue
12:45 – 2:30 Team Red vs. Team White
5:30 – 7:15 Team Blue vs. Team White

Saturday September 3 - Open to Public
8:00 – 9:45 Team White vs. Team Red
12:45 – 2:30 Team White vs. Team Blue
5:30 – 7:15 Team Blue vs. Team Red

Sunday September 4 - Open to Public
8:30 – 9:30 Practice 3rd Place Team
11:00 – 12:45 Championship Game

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