Daneault finding groove with Canes

By Lethbridge Herald on December 17, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Hurricanes Easton Daneault attempts to reach out and check Lukas Sawchyn of the Edmonton Oil Kings during WHL action on Tuesday night at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Hurricanes  forward Easton Daneault is finding his stride this season with the WHL club as a 17-year-old rookie.

His focus over the summer was to work towards being in the top six of the forward group.

“I worked hard all summer and that was my goal,” said Daneault.

Head coach Matt Anholt has given Daneault that opportunity.

“So, I’m super grateful for that,” said Daneault.

Daneault has seen growth in himself on game-by-game basis and is thanks in large part to having played with Logan Wormald and Luke Cozens.

“I think  those are two great guys to play with and learn from,” said Daneault, in an interview with the Herald after the Wormald trade.

Their league experience is what Daneault is what he is building off of from those players.

“Just learning on what they do, how they prepare and what they do on the ice and bench,” said Daneault.

Daneault talked about what has come full circle for him this season so far.

“I’ve (gotten) better offensively and defensively, so I’m gonna keep building towards my whole game and keep advancing it,” said Daneault.

The Red Deer product appeared in 14 games last season mostly as a 16-year-old between regular season and playoffs and was asked how he was able to build off that experience going into this season.

“That was a really good team last year,” said Daneault.

“There was a lot of pro guys that moved on to pro and just to be able to learn from those guys and take it into this season I think was huge for me.”

Canes assistant coach Ryan Aasman describes Daneault as player with smarts.

“ Very smart hockey player that knows how to distribute the puck,” said Aasman.

“I’m sure if you asked him, he probably wishes he scored more goals but he’s got the assists for a reason. He knows how to put pucks into better spots  and his IQ is off the roof … He’s been a really good player for us, a guy that we need to be good every night and now post-Wormald trade we need him to take another step.”

Daneault’s grittiness has been noticed despite his five-foot-nine frame.

“The grittiness, like I said, it’s underrated for him,” said Aasman.

“Just watch him when the puck’s put into  the corner, he’ll try to win the lane, he’ll cut guys hands ,   he wants be the first to (the) puck and make a play with it.”

Daneault has 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 33 games this season.