Hurricanes general manager gets the call from Hockey Canada

By Dale Woodard on June 30, 2021.

Peter Anholt has become the latest member of the Lethbridge Hurricanes to get the callup to the National program.

Hockey Canada announced Tuesday the Lethbridge Hurricanes general manager will serve on its Program of Excellence management group, representing Hockey Canada at the management level for the first time in his career.

Anholt will help guide the under-18 program which competes at the annual Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

“I think everybody understands what an honour it is to represent Canada and it doesn’t matter what level or sport, it’s a real honour,” said Anholt, who joins Hurricanes head coach Brent Kisio (U17, U18, U20), assistant coach Jeff Hansen (U17) and former assistant/video coach Andrew Doty (U17, U18) as Canes personnel to represent Hockey Canada.

“I was really fortunate to be able to coach the U18 team back in 1990 and this will be my first time with Hockey Canada since then. I really have to thank (Hockey Canada director of player personnel) Alan Millar for putting my name forward for this position. We’ve built a good relationship over the years together in the Western league and I’m really looking forward to working with him at this level.”

Anholt, who took over as the Hurricanes general manager in December of 2014, said he will act in an advisory role.

“We make our opinions on certain players who get invited to camps and while they’re at camp, what they have to bring to any individual team,” he said.

“Building a team, when you’re talking about Team Canada, it’s not always just about the most skilled players. Character comes into play and how hard we compete. There’s talk of soft skill versus hard skill. We’re just trying to continue on with what Canada has always done and that’s compete hard and put a really good team on the ice with good character, guys that play hard and understand adversity. You’re always going to be faced with adversity and I don’t think we can ever put a value on leadership. I think leadership is one of the most important aspects of any Canadian team.”

Anholt said it’s also understood other countries bring plenty of skill and passion to the game.

“We see that at the World Junior level year in and year out and we saw it at the U18 (championship) in Dallas recently. I think it’s continuing to grow the skill, talent and passion in our players and let them play and, of course, winning is paramount when it comes to Canada.”

Anholt has been named the recipient of the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy as the league’s top executive on two occasions (2015-16, 2019-20).

Prior to joining the Hurricanes, he was a scout for both the Seattle Thunderbirds and Red Deer Rebels while also serving as the head coach of the Rebels, Thunderbirds, Prince Albert Raiders and Kelowna Rockets.

He currently sits in the top-10 in both games coached and games won in WHL history by a head coach.

Anholt now joins some past and present Hurricanes to serve at the national level.

“We’re really proud of the organization for the players and staff put onto Hockey Canada’s staff and roster,” he said.

“I can’t be more proud to say I’ll be part of a Canadian contingent and I know staff who is with us now and our former staff and former players all feel that and we’d like to continue that tradition going forward. I’m really fortunate to be a part of it right now.”

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