The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened their 2014 Western Hockey League training camp at the ENMAX Thursday.
The hockey club has a large contingent of returning players who were part of last year's team eligible to come back again this season. That of course means nothing in junior hockey. Every player has to earn his spot on the roster, but for a hockey club which has missed the playoffs for 5 years in a row, there is no doubt pressure on everyone from top to bottom to get back into the post-season. It's time this organization turns things around and for me it starts at the top. There needs to be accountability throughout the hockey club. Even WHL Commissioner Ron Robison told Lethbridge City Council a few months ago that the Hurricanes must have better leadership. He pulled no punches during that visit to Council. He also stated at the April 28, 2014 meeting that "the league intends to make sure the Hurricanes are accountable to the plan it (WHL) put in place and moving forward the league will be monitoring things very closely".
Last season when CJOC held the broadcast rights, Fred Jack and I talked many times about "relationships" and the importance of building those. That has to be a big focus. Even when Peter Anholt was announced as the new Assistant General Manager, he told local media at that time that the Hurricanes need "an identity" and that all successful clubs know what they are and where they're going. I can't disagree with that at all.
Let's be honest here. The status quo of the last 5 seasons in not acceptable. Anyone who is willing to accept that needs a reality check. This team needs to be competitive and they need the community's support. But as we all know, wins and losses dictate a lot of that. The first quarter of this 2014-2015 season is going to be a very important gauge I think as to how this season could play out for the Canes.
Besides the additions of Peter Anholt as Assistant GM and Bryan Maxwell as an Assistant Coach, the organization looks pretty much the same as the one which ended this past season with only 12 victories. That win total was the worst-ever in Hurricanes history and this team must find a way this year to get more scoring and more out of every player. If the Hurricanes want to make the playoffs, they have to shoot to be at least a .500 team. Taking a look at playoff teams over the last 4 or 5 years, a .500 record should be able to get you a post-season spot.
Camp opened Thursday with player registrations and orientation. All camp on-ice session will be open to the public at the ENMAX Centre. Some notables from Day One. Veteran Defenceman Macoy Erkamps was a no-show. I had heard a month or so ago that Erkamps may be requesting a trade and that appears to be the case. Paul Kingsmith from Global TV confirmed that on Twitter Thursday evening saying he spoke with GM Brad Robson and noted Erkamps stayed at home, did not report to Hurricanes camp and requested a trade. One other thing of note from camp is forward Giorgio Estephan. Paul Kingsmith also tweeted that Estephan will miss the next 6 weeks after re-aggravating a foot injury. Obviously two significant things on day one right there. Also Reid Duke did not report either. Paul Kingsmith stated Thursday night also on Twitter that Duke did in fact stay home, but the club spoke with Duke and his agent and it's believed he'll report on Friday.
Even though I'm no longer broadcasting the games for the Hurricanes, doesn't mean I'm no longer interested in the club or not going to follow them closely. On the contrary. I want this club to succeed like every other Hurricanes fan or shareholder. I've been involved with this team for the last 7 years. I've decided I will keep this blog going while. We'll take it from here and see what happens. I've been on holidays so I will post training camp updates provided by team when they are available.
Cheers,
Pat
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.
“The status quo of the last 5 seasons in not acceptable. Anyone who is willing to accept that needs a reality check. This team needs to be competitive and they need the community's support.” Well said. Glad you still care and have this info site going. Will miss your play by play.
ReplyDeleteLong Run
Reid Duke? Justin Miles? No shows?
ReplyDeleteWell stated Pat! You will be missed calling the games, and I doubt that the "other' radio station will give the Hurricanes the complete coverage package that you and the staff of CJOC have provided over the last 7 seasons.
ReplyDeleteCamp opens with Erkamps wanting a trade, Estephan injured (missed diagnosis?) and will be lost for 6-8 weeks, Reid Duke delaying his attendance at camp for a brief moment and goaltender Justin Miles a no show (too many concussions?).
This is not the kind of news the club needs at the start of camp and the season. We all know only too well what happened with the exodus of players last year. Miles was supposed to be here to guide the youngster Skinner. Will this force Robson into another "goaltender" deal?
If this club does not start off with at least a 500 record in the first 1/4 of the season, then look out for the WHL to step in.
Thanks for keeping the blog open Pat, it will give us the opportunity to express our opinions.
RJS
Get to camp and play hockey. These kids need to grow up otherwise get rid of them. I guarantee there are kids that need a place to play and will compete every night. And as for Erkamps, way to lose an opportunity to learn from a guy like Maxwell. What a waisted opportunity.
ReplyDeleteKeep it going, Pat! I have a feeling you will be able to throw a few punches this season without threat of ???
ReplyDeleteGee, no shows? Really surprising! With all the culture changes that the new head coach made in the pre-season last year, and the exciting breed of hockey that he introduced, all the adjustments and corrections he made to his systems during the season... and especially with the encouraging 0-14 to end the regular season, I am really surprised that two guys decided that they didn't want to follow the same leader this season with all the blue skys!
The sooner the fools on the board and the leaders of this club realize that they are hopelessly out of their element and resign, the sooner the club can start to mend. Until then, get ready for deja vu for 2014-15.
Since it is obvious that the first five years of failure didn't deter them, and since a record worst season of 12 wins didnt shame the head coach to resign (I sure would have), it seems probable that the WHL will have to step in and show them the door before this club can breathe.
Certainly no threat of any lawsuits for "without cause" for brooming any of the current leaders of this hockey club.
Richie
I would let these kids sit , until they showed up at camp....no trades nothing ..let them rot!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree !!!!!!! This has to stop in order for the league to function as it should .
DeleteLet them rot. Lehtbridge is a graveyard for high draft picks. They have screwed over so many talented kids by playing them on the fourth line 3 minutes a game and wondering why they dont produce. Then they give up on them when (had they developed them) they would be coming into there own. Blame Rich Preston, Brad Robson and the board for this. The kids come here excited and with big dreams of playing in the WHL and maybe one day the NHL. They leave here broken. Usually they lose confidence and are not better but worse when they finish the year. The bleeding will not stop until parents and the kids feel like being a Lethbridge Hurricane will be fun and will be a step towards meeting their dreams. Trading a high draft pick at 17 in his draft year and watching his dreams slip away scares everyone behind them. They love hockey but do not want to be the next victom. This is the legacey of Rich and Brad. Until it changes there will always be the reluctance of the stars to play in Lethbridge. The culture here stinks and everone in the league and the agents know it. Deal with the real problem and you want have to let these kids rot as you say!
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping this blog up and running. We always appreciate your coverage and comments. We particularly look forward to your opinions now that you are able to speak freely.
ReplyDeleteI am hard-pressed to judge these kids or "let them rot" as suggested. If it was any team but this one I may not feel the same. But to ask them to report back to a team that has made virtually no changes since last season is asking a lot.
There was a tremendous support on here as well as WHLfans.ca for season ticket holders to not renew their tickets as a way of showing their disgust over the handling of last season and for Berehowsky's refusal to man-up and resign. Why do we encourage the fans and corporate sponsors to step away from the team until something changes but slam the players? Granted a number of these young men will not likely make it to the NHL but they could still see a career in hockey at either the ECHL, AHL level or in the European leagues. Why should they be expected to jeopardize that when the fans and sponsors are asked to simply walk away?
I don't blame these kids for a minute. If there had been ANY significant change I likely would have expected them to stick it out and give it a shot. Maxwell cannot change this team as an assistant coach although his presence certainly won't hurt. But with the same coach who refuses to accept any responsibility, the same GM, the same systems, the same crap from the business manager, I cannot find fault with these players' decisions.
-cc
As I recall Berehowsky had no hand in selecting the team. If you don't have the talent there's only so much a coach can do. Not sure how many coaches we need to fire before the board takes a harder look at the management.
DeleteActually he has had a big part in selecting this team. Given the fact that the majority of the 2012/13 team was traded/quit/etc. during the 2013/14 season the majority of players were proud in during Berehowsky's tenure. Certainly Robson was the one making the trades but it is foolish to assume that Berehowsky had absolutely zero input in the players that Robson wanted to bring in.
Delete-cc
I will bet that Robson will trade Duke for a 1st round draft pick , to either Brandon or Seattle.....I too would let him rot ...I would have let Pilon rot too.....these kids and their agents have too much power ..but then again if I was a player in the WHL would I want to play in Lethbridge ? Probably not !
DeleteDo you think the Minnesota Wild would let their draft pick rot? Not likely. They probably have a plan for Duke should he not be traded. And he will probably develop better wherever he goes.
DeleteBest we get something in return. IMO.
Long Run
Only trouble with the "plan" is that Duke is under suspension and is the property of the Canes. Duke can't play anywhere unless the Canes deal him or remove the suspension.
ReplyDeleteRJS
Are you saying he is ineligible to play in any other league? Or just not in the CHL? Long Run
DeleteIsn’t he also the property of the Minnesota Wild? Can’t Imagine the backlash if this organization denied him to play hockey somewhere this season. Long Run
DeleteHe has a place to play. No one is denying him a place to play except himself.
DeleteCarter from the 1st row