Just a few weeks after being acquired from the Seattle Thunderbirds along with an eighth-round pick for Kelte Jeri-Leon, Michael Horon and a fourth-round pick in a deal just before the Western Hockey League trade deadline, goaltender Liam Hughes informed the Lethbridge Hurricanes he would be stepping away from hockey for personal reasons.
In a statement released to the media, Hughes stated, “At this time I have decided to leave hockey for personal reasons. I’m sorry I can’t be more specific, but for me personally, it is the right time to step away from a game that I love.
“I want to thank all of my family, friends and fans for your support, as I pursued my hockey dreams. I leave with fond memories from the game and I am excited to start the next chapter in my life.”
It’s a shock for the team for sure.
They released their own statement to the press which reads; “The Lethbridge Hurricanes respect the decision made by Liam and his family. The entire organization wishes Liam the best moving forward. There will be no further comment from the hockey club.”
So where does this leave the Hurricanes now?
The first move was adding affiliate goaltender Bryan Thomson for the remainder of the season. He will join fellow rookie Carl Tetachuk in patrolling the crease. Thomson made his debut earlier in the season, posting an 8-4 win in Cranbrook over the Kootenay Ice. The native of Moose Jaw stopped 33 of 37 shots in the victory.
Thomson has shown pretty well in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with the Notre Dame Hounds. In the 16 games he has played, the 16-year-old has posted a 2.94 goals against average and .890 save percentage. It’s unclear how the Hurricanes will use the young goaltender.
It does seem now that the crease belongs to Tetachuk. Serving as the back up to both Hughes and Reece Klassen, he has posted some respectable numbers while cutting his teeth in the WHL.
Appearing in 16 of the Hurricanes 45 games this season, Tetachuk is 10-5-0-0. His 3.05 goals against average is the lowest of all the goalies who have played for the Hurricanes this season – there have been five goalies to date – and he has the best save percentage among the group at .903. The local product came into camp undrafted, earned his spot on the team and has been improving ever since.
Given the Hurricanes limited options, Tetachuk seems to be the best choice. Of course, it remains to be seen how well he will perform once leaned on has the number one. The 18-year-old has had previous experience as “the guy” at lower levels, backstopping the Alberta Midget Hockey League’s Hurricanes all the way to a bronze medal at the Telus Cup.
While the pressures of the WHL are greater, it is suggested that Tetatchuk could be the man to meet those challenges. The X-factor will be how well the Hurricanes play in front of the two young netminders. Team defence will become a huge key going forward.
Lethbridge embarks on a three-game road trip to the USA to play Seattle, Portland and Everett this weekend. The Hurricanes are 0-1-1-0 against the US Division this season.
It’s a big test for Lethbridge and it is unknown how the goalies will be deployed. Whether it’s Tetachuk or Thomson in goal, the team seems confident in the tandem’s ability to get results. They will surely be tested quickly.
How they respond is still to be played out.
