Hurricanes Off-Season
The Lethbridge Hurricanes have been busy off the ice since the announcement of the end of the 2019-2020 season due to the COVID-19 crisis. Despite no longer being able to play, the Canes have shifted their focus and found new ways to engage fans and the community, and participate in important league events.
The Canes are known for their commitment to the community during hockey season, and that hasn't changed during these unusual times. The Canes "Travelling Puck" has visited many destinations across the globe with marketing manager Kathy Hong, but this off-season it is staying close to home and bringing attention to local businesses. Photos of the Puck visiting Lethbridge destinations have been popping up regularly on the Canes social media feeds; at restaurants, medical services and shopping destinations. The shutdown has also shifted the team's connection with the youth of Lethbridge. The Canes have continued serving the young community by providing "Teaching Tuesday" materials every week. The materials are geared towards students in grades one through seven, providing them with an opportunity to learn alongside their favourite players and hometown team. The fifteen-page booklets cover a wide array of academic skills and levels, including basic skills such as printing and cursive for younger students and graphing and more complex math problems for older kids. The Hurricanes have also been providing fans with the opportunity to vote between a selection of games to be replayed for Throwback Thursday's, for those who have been missing watching hockey.
Operations are continuing on the business side of hockey as well, as pre-scheduled events for the WHL were shifted to online methods of delivery. The 2020 Bantam Draft took place on April 22nd. The Hurricanes selected forward Cole Miller of Edmonton, AB, with their first pick (16th overall). Miller appeared in 28 games with the Edmonton KC Squires Bantam AAA in the 2019-2020 season totalling 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists). The Canes selected defenseman Noah Chadwick with their second pick (38th overall), a Saskatoon, SK product that totalled 42 points (9 goals, 33 assists) with the Saskatoon Stallions Bantam AA in 21 games over the recent season. Over the course of the draft, the Canes selected eight more players, most of which are expected to play AAA midget for the 2020-2021 season to continue their development, as noted by Canes GM Peter Anholt.
The graduating members of the Hurricanes have also been active, signing new contracts of their own as they continue forward in their hockey careers. Koletrane Wilson signed a contract with the American Hockey League Stockton Heat for the 2020-2021 season. Wilson skated in 62 regular-season games for the Canes during the 2019-2020 season, tallying a career-high 33 points (8 goals, 25 assists). Ty Prefontaine also inked a contract for the upcoming season, with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, in his hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Prefontaine put up a total of 28 points (3 goals, 25 assists) in his season as captain of the Hurricanes.
Although they were not rewarded traditionally for their efforts on the ice, the Canes players and management were recognized for their achievements through the WHL awards and team awards. The Canes were rewarded with the WHL Business of the Year award, recognizing their commitment to connecting with the community, improving attendance and ticket sales and providing engaging digital content for fans. Hurricanes General Manager Peter Anholt was also recognized, winning the WHL Executive of the Year Award.
Numerous players were also recipients of awards. Dylan Cozens and Calen Addison were both recognized for their talents on the ice, winning eastern conference player and defenseman of the year, respectively. Cozens and Addison were runners up for the WHL player and defenseman awards to a pair of Spokane Chiefs players, forward Adam Beckman and defenseman Ty Smith. The Hurricanes also awarded their internal player awards, a full list of which can be found on their website.
