We are now a few weeks into the Lethbridge Hurricanes’ season. It’s time to take a look back over the last few weeks and see how the Hurricanes have fared. Also, this is a good chance to look forward to the upcoming road trip out east. Here are some highlights and headlines around the Hurricanes.
Dylan Cozens
After spending the opening weekend of the WHL season still at the Buffalo Sabres training camp, the seventh overall pick was returned to the Hurricanes. Since his return, the Yukon product has points in all four games he’s been in. Cozens also now leads the team in scoring with his five goals and nine points.
The return of Cozens has certainly given the Hurricanes a boost offensively
Chase Wheatcroft
During the thrilling come-from-behind win over the Portland Winterhawks last Friday (Oct 4th), Wheatcroft was sprung out of the penalty box on a breakaway that he tucked under goaltender Joel Hofer. That goal was not only his first point of the season but his first ever WHL goal.
The Calgary native was very excited when talking about that goal. “I got a lucky bounce when I got out and, I mean, I can’t ruin that chance, so I got lucky and put it in. It was a great experience. I will never forget it.”
Bryan Thomson
In what many would consider a surprise, Thomson was back in net versus the Winterhawks last Friday. This was his third start in four games, including back-to-back starts. When you look at his stats, it’s easy to see why coach Brent Kisio continues to turn to the Moose Jaw product.
Thomson is 3-1-0-0 with a goals against average of 2.02 and save percentage of .921 — sizzling numbers early in the season. The Hurricanes will be counting on Thomson with three games in three nights coming up this the weekend. Coach Kisio had a simple statement when asked about his netminder: ”Thom is outstanding.”
NHL preliminary watch list
NHL Central Scouting released their players to watch list. This list contains draft-aged players that are on the radar of NHL scouts and general managers. Three Hurricanes have been named to this list, with all three deemed to be level C rank. That means they are projected to be selected in rounds four through six in the entry draft.
Forward Noah Boyko, defencemen Danila Pavlika, and goaltender Bryan Thomson were named to that list. Congratulations to all three players.
Road trip
Lethbridge is off this week and traveling to the province of Saskatchewan. The team will start a four game road trip beginning Friday, October 11th, in Prince Albert. They will also make stops in Saskatoon (Saturday the 12th) and Regina (Sunday the 13th) before wrapping up the trip in Moose Jaw vs. the Warriors on Tuesday the 15th. Four games in five days will be a big test for this team.
Shooting the breeze
Cozens enters the road trip just three points shy of 150 career points. Assuming he plays in three games this weekend, Logan Barlage will hit 150 games played in the WHL. Overage defencemen Ty Prefontaine is two games away from 200 games played. Dino Kambeitz find himself three points away from 50 in his WHL career.
Hurricanes alumnus Chris Phillips will be honored by the Ottawa Senators — his only NHL team. They will retire his No. 4 on February 18 in a game vs. the Buffalo Sabres.
