Maloney enjoying older guy role

By Lethbridge Herald on September 9, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward herald File photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Hurricanes Nathan Maloney gets tangled up with a Calgary Hitmen player in the corner during  WHL exhibition action at VisitLethbridge.com Arena last week.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

18-year-old defenceman Nathan Maloney is an older guy vying for a spot on a younger Lethbridge Hurricanes backend and is enjoying how camp and preseason is panning out for him and feels  he is bringing his experience to the blueline.

“A lot of guys are looking for opportunity and big roles on the team,” said Maloney, on the blueline in camp.

“It’s been really  good (and) fast paced, and the guys have been really good.”

Maloney is coming from the Alberta Junior Hockey League to a WHL camp and wanted to come in with a focus of improving his game.

“I think I have good assets and even growing some of the things I’m not so good at while  I’m here is something I’ve been really focusing on,” said Maloney.

Maloney is  working with many 16- and 17-year-olds on the blueline.

“ Just trying to help them out …  with experience and if they have questions, I can help them out and I’ll also be asking older or younger guys for help as well if I need it,” said Maloney.

Maloney thinks it’s a  different feeling when trying to compete for a roster spot against 16- and 17-year-olds.

“Being an older guy trying to make it passed some younger guys definitely feels different but  at the end of the day I’m here just to win hockey games and help the team,” said Maloney.

Maloney spoke about what this WHL opportunity means to him.

“It’s a huge opportunity,” said Maloney.

“I ‘m super excited (and) I’m very fortunate for the opportunity that’s been given to me and I’m working towards expanding that opportunity.”

Maloney is coming off championship  year with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Calgary Canucks where he won a league championship and a  Centennial Cup national championship on home ice before signing a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Canes in May.

The Strathmore product went through  the WHL Prospects Draft  undrafted and notched 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists) in the 44  regular season  contests last year and added another 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in the postseason to lead both categories for defenceman.