Cleaver primed for starting role

By Lethbridge Herald on September 5, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Hurricanes goalie Koen Cleaver shoves Trae Johnson during practice on Friday.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Hurricanes goaltender Koen Cleaver is well-prepared for the starting netminding job with the Western Hockey League club this season.

“ I prioritized …  learning to take care of myself, my nutrition, all my sleeping habits, and just how I approach myself coming to the rink and preparing for all these games,” said the 18-year-old netminder, on his offseason preparation for being the starter.

Cleaver has tried to adjust to playing simpler.

“It’s a fast game out there and if you can play (as) simple as possible and make saves efficiently, that’s going to help you in the long run,” said Cleaver.

During training camp, it has been key for Cleaver to catch-up with the pace again.

“It’s definitely a lot harder in the summer to recognize the pace and a pace you’re trying to play at,” said Cleaver.

“So, just working as hard as I can to get back to the pace and back to where I was at the end of the season last year.”

Cleaver has been teaching what his predecessors of  Jackosn Unger ,Harrison Meneghin and Brady Smith  taught him to both Brody Rotar and  Leif Oaten, who are battling for the back-up job.

“Just teach them how to play in the league because it’s obviously a big jump from midget,” said Cleaver.

Cleaver learned from  Unger.

“We actually blended pretty well, so it was awesome,” said Cleaver.

“Definitely a guy I could lean on and still ask a lot of questions to.”

New Canes goalie coach, Matt Weninger has some familiarity with Cleaver, having watched him since bantam and he spoke about how he is preparing for the starter’s role.

“It’s applying the skills that he has and trying  to give him a system and a plan that he can execute on a daily basis,” said Weninger.

Weninger has seen improved footwork from Cleaver.

“It’s just being able to keep pace at this level and having the footwork to be able to get there,” said Weninger.

“I think that’s something  that I saw even from last year, like the start of the year to end of the year, (as) something that improved for him a lot.”

Weninger wants Cleaver to be a goalie that shows that he is  consistent and competitive.

“If you wanna be consistent at this level, you have to be consistently competitive and you have to wanna be the guy every night,” said Waninger.

Meanwhile, the Canes trimmed their preseason roster more on Friday as they reassigned Kale Tipler to the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Lloydminster Bobcats, Hunter Kapen to the Anaheim Jr. Ducks AAA 16U team, Aiden Across the Mountain  to the Lethbridge U18 Hurricanes,  Trace Langen to the Swan Velley Stampeders of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and Wesley Lizotte was released by the team.

Lethbridge is now  down to three goalies, eight defenceman and 17 forwards as they go into their third exhibition game tonight in Medicine Hat.