WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes

Hurricanes Training Camp Preview: The Last Line

Published on September 2, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Lethbridge Hurricanes News Release


Lethbridge, AB - With 2010 Hurricanes Training Camp set to open Thursday, September 2nd from the Adams Ice Centre (9th Avenue and 13th St. North) the time has come for a quick refresher on your Lethbridge Hurricanes. This year's camp should be a wild west shootout with over 70 participants - many familiar faces and an exciting crop of eager young guns.

2010 Camp will include the Canes 19 returning players from the 2009-10 team, the only exclusions being Finnish net minder Ville Kolppanen [Kohl-PAA-nen](who will return to his U-20 club Ilves in Finland) and overage graduates Linden Rowat [ROW-at](who will attend the University of Alberta), Dustin Donaghy [Don-A-Hay] and Captain Carter Bancks (who is signed to play in Abbotsford, the Calgary Flames AHL affiliate).

In part three of this three part series, we preview just a few of the names to look for on the Hurricanes last line of defense, the goaltenders:

Hurricanes sophomore Brandon Anderson will be given every opportunity to take over the starting goaltender's role this season but he will be challenged by a mixed group of prospects and veterans. Anderson has already shown that he can play in pressure situations after being given the opportunity to play a majority of the games in 2009-10 after starting goaltender Linden Rowat was put out due to injury. As a rookie Anderson performed solid in his role and though his record may not show it, his experience gained as a 17 year old WHL goaltender this past season will only prove to help the fiery youngster from Langley as he continues his career.

This summer, the Hurricanes signed a veteran presence in net, listing 91-born goaltender Dylan Tait. Tait is a veteran of the KIJHL and AJHL and was formerly a prospect of both the Kelowna Rockets and Kootenay Ice. A Lethbridge local, he could be the prefect fit to push and develop Anderson along the way while challenging him for his spot as the starting goaltender. Of course, also vying for this spot on this year's team will be a host of prospects including 93-born draft pick Alex Wakaluk - highly touted for his lineage, work ethic and focus; as well as list player Tanner Kovacs who showed great promise during 2009 Training Camp and will look to build on what was a solid season in Alberta Minor Midget. Hurricanes 4th round pick and fifth selection in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft - Ryan Ferguson is expected to attend his first WHL camp. Ferguson is the Hurricanes highest drafted goaltender since 2007 when the club drafted Brandon Anderson with the 50th overall selection in the third round. The 6'0, 165 lbs. Ferguson finished his AMBHL season with a solid .906 save percentage and a 3.04 GAA while playing with the Calgary Royals (Gold) of the AMBHL.

Veteran: Dylan Tait (91)

Sophomore: Brandon Anderson (92)

Rookie (s) to watch: Luke Lee-Knight, Alex Wakaluk (94), Tanner Kovacs (94), Ryan Ferguson (95), Brayden McMahon (95)

Be sure to visit LethbridgeHurricanes.com for daily Hurricanes 2010 Training Camp news - full camp lists will be made available following player registration. Scrimmages will begin on Friday afternoon before the players are divided into four teams of rookies and veterans for the weekend intersquad tournament. Camp will then wrap on Sunday as the tournament Consolation and Championship finals are held. Fans are encouraged to attend camp to get their first look at the 2010-11 Hurricanes - On Saturday and Sunday, volunteers from the Lethbridge United Way will be on hand to take donations upon entry for this worthwhile cause.

2010 Training Camp Schedule:

Thursday, September 2nd

3:00 - 5:00 PM - Registration - All Players

5:00 - 5:30 PM - Player/Parent Orientation

6:00 - 7:00 PM - Team A Practice

7:15 - 8:15 PM - Team B Practice

Friday, September 3rd

*8:30 - 10:00 AM - Team C & D Practice (Goalies - 8:15)

11:00 - 12:30 PM - Team A vs. Team B Scrimmage

2:00 - 3:00 PM - Team C vs. Team D Scrimmage

4:30 - 6:00 PM - Team A vs. Team B Scrimmage

Saturday, September 4th - 1st Annual Charity Intrasquad Tournament Begins!

9:00 - 10:30 AM - Team 1 vs. Team 2

11:30 - 1:00 PM - Team 3 vs. Team 4

2:30 - 4:00 PM - Team 1 vs. Team 2

5:00 - 6:30 PM - Team 3 vs. Team 4

Sunday, September 5th - Intersquad Finals in support of the Lethbridge United Way

9:00 - 10:30 AM - Consolation Final

12:30 - 2:00 PM - Championship Game

*All Times Subject to Change

*Please note that the Friday Morning Practices have now been combined into 1 session

Check out the Lethbridge Hurricanes Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 2, 2010


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