Hurricanes sign six prospects
September 2, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Lethbridge Hurricanes News Release
Lethbridge, AB - Lethbridge Hurricanes Training Camp may have come to an end but the Canes are proud to announce the beginning of several young prospects WHL careers. Lethbridge Hurricanes General Manager and Head Coach Rich Preston announced this morning that the club has signed 92-born forward Neal Tarnasky, 93-born defensemen Reid Jackson and Drew Graham, 93-born forward Michael Sofillas and 94-born Ryley Bennefield and Adam Henry.
Tarnasky, the younger brother of former Hurricanes forward and current Florida Panther Nick Tarnasky is a 6'0, 200 pound 92-born forward from Caroline, AB. He was selected by the Hurricanes in the 8th round (163rd overall) in the 2007 WHL Bantam draft. In 2008-09, the rugged winger tallied 24 points (11G, 13A) and 90 PIMs in 32 games with the Leduc AAA Midget Oil Kings of the AMHL.
Jackson and Graham, a pair of 93-born defensemen, were the Hurricanes 2nd and 3rd round selections in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft respectively. In 08-09, Jackson played in Minnesota for the Shattuck St.Mary's U16 Sabres. The 6'2" 175 pound native of Weyburn, SK notched 15 assists and 40 penalty minutes in 35 games. In 07-08, Jackson helped anchor the blueline of the Weyburn Wings of the South Saskatchewan Bantam Hockey League. Graham, a 6'0, 195 pound d-man played last season for the Fraser Valley Bruins in BC Major Midget where he posted 11 points (4G, 7A) in 16 games with 26 PIMs. He was originally drafted from the Chilliwack Coyotes Bantam AAA club of the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association with the Canes third round pick (62nd overall) of the draft.
Sofillas, a skilled centre and list player from Morden, MB rounds out this group of 93-born players. Sofillas showed this weekend that he has a "knack for the net" during the Canes scrimmages showing off some of the talent which garnered him 37 points (18G, 19A) in 44 games with the Manitoba AAA Midget Pembina Hawks.
Hurricanes fans also may have gotten their first peek at the future this past weekend as the Canes signed a pair of 94-born players in Bennefield and Henry. Bennefield was drafted from the Leduc Bantam AAA Oil Kings with the Canes first selection - 33rd overall in the second round of the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. Bennefield is a 5'10" 160 pound forward who tallied 32 goals and 25 assists for 57 points and 59 Pims in 30 games last year in the AMBHL. Bennefield then wrapped up his season with an excellent showing at the Alberta Cup in Calgary where he competed with a broken collarbone. Henry played last season for the Bantam AAA Winnipeg Hawks and was selected 55th overall in the 2009 Draft. Henry ended the 08-09 campaign with 17 points (4G, 13A) and 52 Pims in 30 games and was the first defenseman chosen by the Hurricanes in the 2009 draft. This follows in the footsteps of Brennan Yadlowski (2006) and Ben Wright (2003) as the Canes first defenseman chosen in their Bantam draft year.
The Canes hope to have all six of these new Hurricanes in action this weekend as the Canes open their WHL exhibition season on the road with a pair of games in the Crowsnest Pass against the Calgary Hitmen and Kootenay Ice. All the action starts at 7:00 PM Saturday (September 5th) from the Crowsnest Sports Complex in Coleman (Crowsnest Pass), AB.
The Canes then line up against their rivals from the other side of the pass, the Kootenay Ice at 4:00 PM Sunday (September 6th) again from the Crowsnest Sports Complex in Coleman. Tickets in Coleman are $12 per person, per game and are available at the door on game night or in advance from the following locations: Crowsnest/Coleman Sports Complex Coleman Husky Crocket's Trading in Bellevue Blairmore Car Wash
Tickets are also available by email or phone through Crowsnest Minor Hockey! These tickets will be held and can be paid for at will-call in the arena until 15 minutes prior to game time. To email (preferred): crowsnestpassminorhockey@hotmail.com To order by phone: 1-403-563-0100
Lethbridge Hurricanes Preseason Schedule 2009/2010
September 5th/09 - vs. Calgary (@ Coleman/Crowsnest Pass) 7:00 PM
September 6th/09 - vs. Kootenay (@ Coleman/Crowsnest Pass) 4:00 PM
September 9th/09 - @ Kootenay 7:00 PM
September 11th/09 - vs. Everett (@ Tri City) 3:00 PM
September 12th/09 - @ Portland (@ Tri City) 3:00 PM
September 13th/09 - @ Tri City (@ Tri City) 2:00 PM
For more information on renewing existing tickets or on becoming a Season Ticket Holder; fans are encouraged to visit or contact the ENMAX Centre Ticket Office or the Yates Theatre Centre by calling (403) 329-SEAT.
Western Hockey League Stories from September 2, 2009
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- Prince George Cougars Sign Mattia Bortolotto - Prince George Cougars
- WHL Announces Host Centres for 2009 SUBWAY Super Series - WHL
- 35 Players Remain in Chiefs Camp - Spokane Chiefs
- T-Birds Public Unveiling of New Reebok Edge Jerseys Set for September 9th - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Broncos Trade Molle to Ice - Swift Current Broncos
- Hurricanes sign six prospects - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Ice Add 20 Year Old Defenseman - Kootenay Ice
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