U11AA Canes capture inaugural showcase

By Lethbridge Herald on January 22, 2025.

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Lethbridge Hurricanes U11AA team celebrate after winning the Hockey Alberta U11AA Showcase in Leduc over the weekend.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes U11AA team are flying high after winning a big tournament in Leduc over the weekend.

The Canes went an undefeated 7-0 to capture the prestigious inaugural 48-team Hockey Alberta U11AA Showcase in Leduc.

“We have a really nice team that is very tight knit,” said Riley Parker, head coach.

“I find that from the dressing room to on the ice, just the team work and the camaraderie between the boys … is unmatched in any other team.”

The tournament was a confidence builder for the team.

“The confidence building of showing that we are the best team, and just facing adversity, and learning to challenge ourselves and growing as a team was the thing I took away from it the most,” said Parker.

Parker spoke about how an inaugural showcase like this will help with development at this level.

“I find that being able to have a higher level of AA quality hockey and being able to showcase that across Alberta, it’s just going to kind of help build the program and keep talent within Hockey Alberta,” said Parker.

The Canes were led offensively by Ford Fabro and Beau Watson, who had 21 and 19 points respectively.

The goaltending duo of Kade Babki and Hendrix Legge allowed only 20 goals over the seven games.

Lethbridge opened up with a 11-2 win over the Calgary Knights last Thursday, followed by an 11-1 win against the Sturgeon Sting and a 5-1 win over the KC Cougars on Friday, an 11-6 win over the Saskatoon Heat and a 5-2 win over the Red Deer Chiefs on Saturday and wrapped up with a 6-1 semi-final win over the St. Albert Lightning and a 6-3 finals win over the Lakeland Panthers on Sunday.

The team is off to a torrid start with a 14-0 regular season record.

“I keep telling the boys this season, it’s a big mountain, there’s lots of little hills along the way to climb and they keep challenging themselves, and making (it to) the top of the hill and ready to climb the next one,” said Parker.