Canes edge Tigers in preseason opener, have a productive training camp

By Lethbridge Herald on September 3, 2024.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Hurricanes Kai Anderson watches one of his two goals go into the net past Medicine Hat Tigers goalie Jordan Switzer during Western Hockey League exhibition action on Tuesday night at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened up the preseason with a 4-1 win against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Tuesday night at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

16-year old Kai Anderson led the way for the Canes with two goals.

“I think the most important part was to be able to be seen on the ice and make an impact every shift, whether it’s a hit, a good pass or some offensive zone time,” said Anderson.

Canes Associate head coach Matt Anholt said it was a young guys game.

“I think it showed early,” said Anholt.

“We were really nervous with the puck and really struggled to put two passes together … We felt our way into the game and the older guys became really good players in the second and third and took over in their own way. And we found some goals by some young guys, which was awesome.”

Kash Andresen and Chase Petersen also scored for the Canes.

 Meanwhile,  Head coach Bill Peters thought the four-day training camp went well and spoke about it Tuesday morning.

“Yeah real good weekend,” said Peters.

“I thought everyone put out a real good performance, guys worked hard, we got a lot accomplished. I was real pleased with the way it went.”

Peters says it was good, when asked about the training camp’s pace.

“They were long days,” said Peters.

“There was (a) couple (of) days you could see guys starting to wear out but that’s just the way it is. You’re trying to accomplish a bunch of different things during training camp.”

The different things included a good look at the younger players, making sure players are in shape to an extent and preparing guys to go off to pro camps.

“We were able to accomplish a lot of those goals,” said Peters.

Peters said everyone came to camp in real good shape and played towards their identity.

“I thought it was very positive in that regard,” said Peters.

“I thought our goaltending in camp was very good, (there is) depth in that position for sure. I think the ‘09 group showed real well. So really happy with the way it unfolded.”

Veteran forward Logan Wormald said it was a different training camp.

“Bill decided (to) change it up this year, and it was definitely a lot harder, but I think that’s good for our group going into the regular season,” said Wormald.

Wormald saw a lot of good prospects on the ice with him  being mixed in with them at camp.

“I saw we signed a few and I’ve talked to those guys a little bit and like you said the young skill  was there and it was fun to watch,” said Wormald.

Lethbridge signed two more prospects from the 2024 Prospects Draft on Monday in Matteo Di Stefano and Jake Evans.

Di Stefano, who was selected in the sixth round, had 34 points in 27 regular seasons with the Yale Hockey Academy U15 Prep team this past season.

Evans, a Canes fourth round pick, had 36 points in just 17 regular season games with the Saskatoon Generals U15AA team and was second in team scoring.

The Canes will continue exhibition games when they head to Red Deer to take on the Rebels on Saturday.