Peters opts not to return to Canes

By Lethbridge Herald on May 15, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Herald FILE photo by JUSTIN SEWARD Lethbridge Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters chats with players at practice last month during the playoffs. After two seasons behind the Canes bench,Peters has decided not to return.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are now in the process of finding a new head coach as the team announced on Thursday that Bill Peters has decided not to  renew his contract for the 2025-2026 season.

Peters spent two seasons with the Canes after being hired in August 2023 to replace Brent Kisio.

He led the team to the playoffs in both  seasons.

The Canes were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Swift Current Broncos  in his first season before  he led Lethbridge to the WHL’s Eastern Conference final this season where they were swept by the Medicine Hat Tigers

“It’s the right time, it’s the right time to turn the (coaching job) over to somebody new and whoever they elect to pass it on to, it will be in more than capable hands and I’m sure Pete already has a plan in place,” said Peters ,about the decision to move on, in a press release.

“When I took over (here), they talked about leaving the jersey in a better place, and I think we are doing that. I

think the culture here (in Lethbridge) is very strong.”

Peters highlights  the team’s board of directors and general manager Peter Anholt for the opportunity presented to him.

“I’d like to thank the board of directors and  Peter Anholt for giving me the opportunity to come up here and spend the last two years with the Hurricanes,  said Peters.

“It’s been fantastic and I’ve enjoyed every day.  But it’s time to look at some different challenges whether that’s in private business or overseas. Or maybe just go back and put my feet up and enjoy time with my family.”

He finished his two seasons with a  regular season record of 75-49-10-2, which averaged out to a .551 save percentage and places him fifth on the all-time list on the team in that category.

Anholt spoke to media on Thursday afternoon about the decision.

“Not a surprise to obviously me,” said Anholt.

Anholt left  discussions open to Peters for an extension as both sides chatted especially in the  latter half of this season.

“He’s basically kind of left it (at), ‘Yeah, no, we’ll see, we’ll see,’” said Anholt.

 “When the year ended, it was pretty clear that Bill put in his two years here and he’s never really led on to me what he’s gonna do.”

Anholt put into context the work that Peters did in his two years in shaping the team.

“His first year here, especially the first half, was kind of on fast forward for him,” said Anholt.

“Especially in the first month or so, it was probably drinking through a fire hose in a lot of ways for him. I think once he kinda got his feet on the ground,  I thought that we played really, really well down the stretch.”

Peters earlier prep work ahead of  second season was beneficial  in paving the way in the 2024-2025 campaign.

“He came in early in  July and really got down to work and preparing for the upcoming season,” said Anholt.

“So I think  that paid dividends for us right out of the gate. I think our team is in really good shape. We pushed them hard early and I think that paid dividends.”

Anholt said  really good, when discussing the relationship between Peters and the players.

“I think the players really understood how fortunate they were to play for Bill,” said Anholt.

“The communication was really good. So I think the players really felt that they were in a situation where they’re   in a pro atmosphere and it was gonna help them to be a pro.”

Anholt admired how detailed Peters was.

“There was nothing left to question,” said Anholt.

“I think that was something that I think is really gonna carry over to our team.”

Anholt addressed a timeline for Peter’s  replacement.

“We’ll still do some evaluations and (we are) not in any big rush,” said Anholt.

“I’d sure like to do something by the end of May if we could.”