Young Canes embark on new season

By Lethbridge Herald on September 18, 2025.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes open their 38th Western Hockey League season tonight with a younger-looking line-up then in recent years and players know it will take relationship building and hard work to makes this season a success.

Ten of the 23 roster players are 16 or 17 year olds.

Forward Enzo DiDomenicantonio is one of those young players as he will turn 16 on Halloween.

“Definitely really pumped,” said the Los Angeles product.

“This is bigger hockey than what I’ve played … So, it’s just really exciting to be able to play in front of all these people.”

DiDomenicantonio has like the professionalism the Canes organization has displayed.

“Everything is really professional around here,” said DiDomenicantonio.

DiDomenicantonio thinks the key to settling into tonight’s season opener is playing his game.

“Which is  be more of a playmaker, ( and a) skilled player and just try to help my team in any way I can with my abilities,” said DiDomenicantonio.

DiDomenicantonio sees  the  team’s strength as being a group that works hard and one that is skilled with having a smaller forward group.

Grady Pichette is a soon- to-be 17-yeard-old defenceman coming into his first full WHL season after playing in six regular season and nine playoff game last season.

“Can’t wait,” said Pichette.

“First game (tonight) and couldn’t be more excited.”

Pichette talked about what will be key for  a young roster’s success this season.

“Talk to some of the veterans and again build relationships,” said Pichette.

“You get more comfortable as you go and the game will get easier when you have stronger relationships.”

Grit is what Pichette sees as the team’s strength.

“ I think we’re gonna battle until the end and go for the win every time,” said Pichette.

Captain Logan Wormald feels the new leadership group which includes himself, Shane Smith, Matteo Fabrizi and Luke Cozens will have to provide strong leadership to the younger players.

“We obviously want those younger guys to follow us and (we will) set that example for them,” said Wormald during his captaincy introduction earlier this week.

Wormald loved seeing all the new players playing during the exhibition season.

“Plenty of guys that I’ve never seen play before,” said Wormald.

“I’m excited to play with a new group and build chemistry with some of the new guys.”

Forward Shane Smith feels that new players can bring attributes from their previous leagues to help strengthen the Canes.

“They’ve been leaders … on the teams that they were on and I think that can bring our young guys in and we can bond as one full group this year,” said Smith.

The Canes host the Calgary Hitmen tonight to open the regular season with puck drop at 7 p.m. from VisitLethbridge.com Arena.