Adair looks to take on bigger leadership role with Hurricanes

By Lethbridge Herald on October 16, 2025.

Herald file photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Hurricanes Carsen Adair and the Calgary Hitmen’s Chase Valliant battle hard towards a loose puck during second-round WHL playoff action at VisitLethbridge.com Arena last spring. Adair is looking for a bigger leadership role this season.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Second-year Lethbridge Hurricanes defenceman Carsen Adair has been thrusted into a leadership role as an 18-year-old and is relishing the opportunity to help this team along.

Adair is the only active Canes defencemen that has played the most games with the club on the backend out  of all the current defencemen and he talked about what he wants to bring to the table with that experience.

“I just want to teach the young guys how to play the Cane way and I know what the coaches want to see and I know the type of structure that they like,” said Adair.

“If I can help (the) young guys learn that and … the structure, that’s how we’re going to find success.”

The Canes 2022 third round pick said it means a ton, when asked about being thrusted into a leadership role on an inexperienced blueline.

“Leadership is important on every team,” said Adair.

“Finding a bigger role is important  and I’m grateful for that.”

The coaching staff wants Adair to have more of a vocal presence this season.

“They want to develop me into a leader,” said Adair.

Adair talked about what it has been like playing with this newer group  of defencemen.

“It’s interesting,” said Adair.

“I think in the past years we’ve had lots of returners and this year we don’t have that many. So, it’s interesting to learn. You gotta learn how guys play but it’s fun.”

Adair learned  off the likes of former teammates Vojtech Port, Noah Chadwick and Logan McCutcheon and there is one common theme that he picked up on from those players.

“I think biggest think is just staying calm,” said Adair.

“Great defencemen are just calm in general.”

Adair’s goals this year include getting better and weave his way into more of leadership role.

The Clavet, Sask., product has 10 points in 78 regular season games and had three points in 16 playoff games last season.

With the Canes having very few older players, head coach Matt Anholt considers Adair as defencemen who is learning his own leadership role.

“You’re always trying to develop leaders on your team and Carsen has a lot of leadership qualities because he really leads himself in a positive way and I think guys pay attention to that,” said Anholt.

Anholt has seen so far this year that Adair’s assignments have become harder.

“I think Carse has been great as a guy that’s cleaned up those secondary defensive minutes,” said Anholt.