Lafournaise ready to make Canes

By Lethbridge Herald on August 29, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward herald photo by JUstin Seward Tyden Lafournaise battles for a loose puck in the air during a rookie camp game on Friday at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Hurricanes 16-year-old prospect Tyden Lafournaise is competing in his second Western Hockey League camp  with the club,  and  his hope is that he does enough to crack this year’s roster.

Lafournaise was the Canes highest draft pick in 2024 at 13th overall and he was then signed to a WHL Standard Player Agreement.

“At the end of the day, just  be ready to play and show the coaches that you want a spot on the team,” said Lafournaise.

Lafournaise was called up by the Canes for five games last season and spoke about how he built off those experiences coming into camp this season.

“ Just playing in those games, you see the size (and) you see the speed,” said Lafournaise.

“But you just build that into my game this year (and) hopefully become a little more comfortable if I crack a roster spot this year.”

The Canes had over 20 16-year-olds in rookie camp and Lafournaise talked about what that crop was like to play against the last couple of days.

“Everyone’s  trying to crack a spot this year,” said Lafournaise.

“It’s the first year we can crack a roster spot, so everyone’s competing, everyone looks good and it’s gonna be some tough decisions for the coaches.”

Lafournaise put the work in on his defensive game and his level of competitiveness, which he thought were weaker points in his game, with the South Alberta Hockey Academy Prep U18 team last year.

“Just working on it at SAHA, I just feel a lot stronger out here and (winning) more battles,” said Lafournaise.

The Winnipeg product  collected 31 points ( nine goals, 22 assists) in 33 games and added another three points in four playoff games with SAHA last season.

Lafournaise agrees he is a leader for fellow rookies having gone through camp last year.

“In the dressing room and on the ice, I try and take control (and) be a little bit of a captain,” said Lafournaise.

Prospect Defenceman, Reid Soper, who was the Canes next pick after Lafournaise at 32nd overall  in the 2024 WHL draft, has known him for awhile going back to when they were younger.

“He’s always been a great player and its always fun to be with him, play with him and hopefully we can do that more,” said Soper.

Forward Cohen Pentney was the 80th overall pick in the 2024 WHL draft, and said he’s a really good player, when referring to Lafournaise.

“It’s hard to play against him,” said Pentney.

“No, we go toe-to-toe, so it’s pretty cool.”