Smith primed for Canes starting role

By Lethbridge Herald on October 10, 2024.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Hurricanes goalie Brady Smith battles for positioning as Roan Woodward of the Edmonton Oil Kings looks for the puck during season-opening WHL action at VisitLethbridge.com Arena last month

By Justin Seward

Lethridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes goaltending duo of Brady Smith and Koen Cleaver were set in stone earlier this week after Harrison Meneghin was traded over the weekend.

For Smith, that means he’s the starter for this season.

“It feels really good,” said Smith.

Smith had a productive summer in preparation for this opportunity to be the starter.

“Also (I) kind of got into the mental side of things with a new mental coach,” said Smith.

 “And overall just kind of came with the mindset that no matter what I want (to) take (the) position and come out here and succeed.”

Smith feels he has to have more recovery time being the starter.

“Whether that’s hips, legs in general, ice baths, things like that,” said Smith.

“So just taking proper nutrition and everything like that is definitely a huge thing for the long run (of) the season.”

Smith is understanding how much work he has to put in on a daily basis as  starter.

“Now that you get to be a starter and things like that, you understand you’re going to be taking more of the load,” said Smith.

“But that doesn’t mean you get to take any days off or anything like that.”

Smith learned a lot from Meneghin in preparing to be a starter.

“To come in and have him as a goalie partner, (I) definitely learned a lot … through his play and just how he kind of handled things. It was definitely a good learning experience and  (I am) grateful for that,” said Smith.

The coaching staff want to see more of the same out of Smith from last season with him now being the starter.

“Last year, he was someone we really relied on in the second half when Harry was dealing with some injuries and Smitty did a great job beating a lot of really good top teams in our league and that gave us confidence going (into) the summer,” said Matt Anholt, Canes associate head coach.

“He’s been nothing but great throughout training camp and  throughout preseason. He’s a tremendous kid, he moves the puck well, he’s a calming effect back there.”

For the 17-year-old Cleaver, he is excited about what the future holds and being a tandem with Smith.

“I think it’s really good,” said Cleaver, on his relationship with Smith.

 “He’s sort of like mentored me a little bit, so I’m just looking forward to this year and just learning from him and it’s going to be really good.”

Cleaver plans to take advantage of his opportunities by having the same mindset.

“Just focus (and) not worrying about all the small things that I can’t control,” said Cleaver.

“I think with him, it’s just the understanding of how much of a grind the season can be, especially as a backup goaltender,” said Anholt.

“You got to be ready at any given moment to go in.”

Anholt said that’s what goaltending’s all about, when asked about both goalies pushing each other.

“With  only having two of them on a team, they got to be best of friends, and help each other out and it’s the most important position,” said Anholt. 

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