We take a moment to stand and salute a trio of graduating players. They were not given a trophy, a standing ovation or stick taps from fellow players. This season ended like no other; a global pandemic halted and then ultimately ended the WHL careers of these players. It’s not the way anyone pictured it going and it’s not what these players deserved, but that’s the world we live in. So we will do our best here to give these players a heartfelt thank you and a proper send-off.
Ty Prefontaine, the stay-at-home defenceman and co-captain, developed into a leader on and off the ice for the Hurricanes. Acquired from the Calgary Hitmen in the 2016-17 season, Prefontaine spent four seasons in the Windy City. Not known for his offensive abilities, he only collected 69 points over his 244 games in a Hurricanes jersey. Prefontaine played in all situations and excelled on the penalty kill, earning the trust of head coach Brent Kisio. The Saskatoon native will be missed on the back end.
Koletraine Wilson, the tough rearguard not afraid to mix it up and stand up for teammates, racked up 233 penalty minutes in his 190 career games. He played all of those with Lethbridge. After signing on in 2016, he played one game that season, picking up his first WHL penalty. Wilson provided leadership this past season while wearing the “A” on his sweater and could be seen and heard as he helped younger members of the defensive corps develop. The Edmonton, AB, native grew into a well-rounded defender, seeing time on the power play and penalty kill this season. His 33 points were easily a career-best after only 19 points last season. His eight goals this season are more than his first three seasons combined (only 3). Wilson was also a fan favorite and will definitely be missed in the community.
Brett Davis was brought in just before the trade deadline, and he provided offense at over a point per game, collecting 25 points in 20 games. This was his second tenure with the Hurricanes, after he started his career in 2014, playing three games for Lethbridge that season and collecting a single assist. In all Davis spent parts of three seasons with the Hurricanes, collecting 46 points in 105 games played. While with the Hurricanes this season, he surpassed his 300th game played in the WHL, finishing at 309. The Oakbank, MB, native finished his career with 200 points on the nose, including 93 goals. Davis gave a needed spark to the Hurricanes lineup from the moment he was brought back.
There is no doubt that this season’s graduating group will be missed. Full of leadership and quality, all three players will be missed and leave big shoes for the young Hurricanes to fill going forward into next season. Whatever these fine gentlemen choose to do in the future, they will be successful. So with that, we say thank you to Prefontaine, Wilson, and Davis. Not the way we wanted to say our farewells but with hearts full, we salute you. Stick taps.
