Hurricanes reflect on a first half of learning curves and improvements

By Lethbridge Herald on December 18, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Herald photo by JUSTIN SEWARD Lethbridge Hurricanes Owen Berge attempts to skate by Ryan Gower of the Edmonton Oil Kings during the Canes last game of the first half of their season on Tuesday night.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes completed the first half of their WHL season with many learning curves to build from.

“Challenging,” said Ryan Aasman, Hurricanes assistant coach, on the first half.

“Obviously lots of ups and downs. I think when you look at the way the  (first half) went, (we) wish we probably started off a little bit better but then found our way and really liked our November in terms of having a successful road trip.”

The coaching staff have enjoyed watching the younger players develop.

“Watching your younger guys play more but also having to fall to pick themselves back up I think’s been big,” said Aasman.

 Some mental aspects of their game were tested.

“I think our resiliency’s been tested, our character’s been tested,” said Aasman.

“I think we’ve learned a lot of hard lessons that hopefully benefit us in the second half.”

Aasman has liked how the  younger players have caught on to the little details and more so with faceoff details.

“They haven’t learned anything like this at a minor hockey level and to watch them grasp on to it and  figure out that it matters, I think is really big. You start your shifts on the right foot and those details help with hockey IQ,” said Aasman.

The coaching staff has been enthused  with the leadership from the older guys in how they push the players that are younger and are trying to keep their games together at the same time.

Luke Cozens falls into that type of  leadership role this season

“He’s always been a depth guy and  hasn’t put up points,’ said Aasman,

“ Now he’s asked to put up the points, kill the penalties, lead the group (and) show them how to do things the right way. It’s big a change for those guys.”

Matteo Fabrizi has been asked to be the top defenceman.

“He’s taking the weight of the whole d-core on his shoulders,” said Aasman.

“He’s gotta worry about his own game but also get the other five guys that are dressed  that night going and pointed in the right direction. Those are really  big asks.”

Aasman said, “It’s an everyday thing,” when asked about the challenges in the first half.

“With our younger group, every rep in practice, in the gym and in games matters,” said Aasman.

“We gotta make the most of them and we have to hold them to that standard.”

The Hurricanes had to deal with major trades in the first half when they shipped away 20-year-olds Shane Smith and Logan Wormald.

“It’s massive,” said Aasman, on the impact of those trades.

“Shane Smith was Humanitarian of the Year, so obviously character (is) really high and Logan Wormald’s a coach’s dream in terms of what he does all the time shift in and shift out and how he conducts himself, he’s an absolute pro. Those are huge hits and now those ice times gotta get  divvied up  among younger guys that are  learning just  how to be in the league full time.”

“It was definitely a learning experience for me and for a ton of guys on the team,” said Carsen Adair, on how he described the first half.

Showing compete has been an improvement that Adair has seen from the team.

“I think that we are building to be better in that area,” said Adair.

Rookie forward Kai Anderson has seen improvements to the team’s pace, communication and chemistry.

“Overall pace has gotten a lot better,” said Anderson.

Anderson felt chemistry has been a challenge in the first half with all the new players.

“It’s just a matter of working well together off the hop,” said Anderson.

Lethbridge sits in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 11-22-0-1 record and 23 points at the halfway point.