Canes’ Marques benefitting from system play this season

By Lethbridge Herald on March 20, 2024.

Herald FILE photo Lethbridge Hurricanes Miguel Marques tries to control a loose puck in front of the Red Deer Rebels net during WHL action at the Enmax Centre recently.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Miguel Marques has made significant strides this season with his play.

The Prince George, B.C. product has increased his point total by 50 over a season ago in his second full Western Hockey League campaign.

Marques has 28 goals and 44 assists  for 72 points to lead the team with two games to go in the regular season.

“I think just our system play this year,” said Marques.

“I feel a lot more offensive, and I feel like I’ve been really comfortable with the puck ,and Bill’s (Peters) allowed me to play to my style of game and he’s let me be really offensive this year. And then again, playing with Brayden Edwards and Logan Wormald, they’re two highly offensive guys who make my life easy and they move the puck well.”

Marques focuses on getting better and sticking with the process.

“That’s something that I had to learn last year not playing as much as I wanted,” said Marques.

“I had to come in and just stick with it and keep getting better every day and that’s kind of  something I’ve carried forward to this year.”

The coaching change has helped Marques.

“Bill’s been awesome,” said Marques.

“He’s always here to give us feedback. I’ve never seen a guy works so long in the rink. He’s always putting time into video and he’s been awesome, again systems have been great this year.”

Assistant coach Matt Anholt said Miggy’s an outstanding offensively gifted player like most kids in this league.

“There’s not a lot of room compared to minor hockey and he has kind of had to figure that out the hard way in his first year in the league last season,” said Anholt.  

“He obviously had a lot of games as a 15 year old but playing as a full-time guy, there’s just so many ups and downs ,and I think he kind of had to learn how to cope with the ups and downs a little bit and he’s done that this year. It’s been a big time season for him. There’s a reason why lots of NHL scouts are drooling over him when (they) watch us play and he’s a gamebreaker.”

Anholt said he’s skating, when asked about his increased point total.

“He’s a real gifted skater and when he’s moving his feet, it’s a big time separator for him over a lot of players in this league and his draft class,” said Anholt.

Captain Joe Arntsen said Miggy’s  taken such a big step this year for us.

“Offensively, his numbers speak for themselves,” said Arntsen.