Canes have a good mix in camp

By Lethbridge Herald on August 27, 2025.

Herald photo by Justin Seward A group of players had a skate prior to the start of Lethbridge Hurricanes training camp earlier this week at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes opens their four-day training camp today with a good mixture of younger and older players that will perhaps make the roster as impact pieces this season.

“It’s a funny year with training camp with NCAA changes,” said Matt Anholt, Canes head coach.

“Now we can have free agents …  that are  coming to make the team as older guys. We (have) got some good older guys that normally would be playing a second, or third or fourth year in Junior ‘A’ and instead they decided to come here and try their luck with the Western League.”

There will be rookie camp players who are in same situation as the incoming older guys.

“We (have) got lots of young guys,” said Anholt.

“We’re really excited about our 2009 group that we’re expecting to be impact players in that rookie camp.”

The Canes will look to fill the voids in camp that were left by defenceman Tristen Doyle, who was traded to Saskatoon, and forward Miguel Marques who decided to pursue the NCAA route this season.

Anholt was excited to add Hudson Kibblewhite in the Doyle deal.

“He reminds me a little bit of Brayden Edwards to an extent where he’s bit of a  junk yard dog,” said Anholt.

“Then Losing Miggy’s gonna hurt in a lot of ways but there’s other guys that are excited to step into roles.”

The Canes 2024 13th overall  WHL draft pick Tyden Lafournaise will be looking to earn a full-time roster spot as a 16-year-old this season.

“Tyden, in my opinion, was snubbed a little bit by the U17 Hockey Canada camp this summer, said Anholt.

“I’ve seen a lot of players get snubbed and have a chip on their shoulder and I can tell that he has that … going on right now and we couldn’t be more excited about him.”

Defenceman Nathan Maloney , who the Canes signed in May, is coming into camp from Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Calgary Canucks where he won a Centennial Cup last season and is a player to watch.

“He’s gonna play a big role,” said Anholt.

“I really liked his look (on Monday) on the ice. He’s got a nice confidence to him, he shakes your hand with a firm handshake and looks you in the eye, I love that.”

The Canes will have back-up goalie battle at camp between Brody Rotar and Leif Oaten to  see who will serve as Koen’s Cleaver’s back-up this season.

“The goaltending battle behind him is going to be interesting,” said Anholt.

“ I think Brody and Leif both have a really nice upside and packages that we’re excited about.”

The Canes start with rookie camp today and tomorrow, followed by main camp on Saturday and Sunday at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.