Headwater Hurricanes excited for a new season

By Lethbridge Herald on October 3, 2024.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Headwater Hurricanes U17AAA hockey team kick off a new season tonight with excitement.

“The boys know that there’s a lot (of) skill in the dressing room,” said Scott Trotter, head coach.

“So I think, like I said, they’re excited to get playing (games) that kind of mean something.”

Lethbridge are expected to have strengths in key areas on the ice with offensive power and two goaltenders that are clicking.

“I’m excited with the top to the bottom,” said Trotter.

The team added more knowledge to its coaching staff too.

The Canes will be working with a fairly new roster with just three returning players of Cohen Zasadny, Brent Coleman and defenceman Ryder Formadas.

“They’re veterans, so they kind of know my style, but that being said, we kind of rely on everybody to do their own part,” said Trotter.

Trotter said it’s a lot of trial with some new line combinations, when asked about what he is looking for in the first few weeks of the season.

“We’ve been running … different line combinations so that we’re ready come (the) season opener,” said Trotter, on what the team worked on during exhibition season.

The coaches have installed the team-first approach and  working on what can be controlled now.

“They go out there for 30,40 second shifts, they come off and are just getting ready for their next shift which could be 30,40 seconds after that too,” said Trotter.

The challenge for the team will be to stay positive.

“And know that they have the skill and they have the talent and the work ethic to compete at this level,” said Trotter.

“But they’re going to have to bring it every day.”

Trotter foresees this team climbing into a playoff sport this season after finishing last a year ago.

“The goal here is to not only get into the playoffs but put ourselves in a good seed,” said Trotter.

Lethbridge hosts the Southeast (SEAC) Tigers to open the season tonight at Nicholas Sheran at 7:15 p.m. before hosting the Calgary Northstars on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.