Lethbridge Hurricanes
Box 2143
Lethbridge, Alberta
T1J 4K7
403-328-1986
Lethbridge Official Page
2001-2002 Season Preview
Matt Jacques
Brian Ballman
Phil Cole
Losses to:
Overage: Thomas Scantlebury, Brian Ballman, Adam Johnson
Expansion Draft: Darren Lynch
Goal: Joel Martin '82, Blake Ward '82
Goaltending is solid but not spectacular, and I can't see the Hurricanes going with two 19 yr old goaltenders. Ward is my pick to be the guy with the Canes grooming a youngster to back him up.
Defence: Matt Jacques '82, Phil Cole '82, Simon Ferguson '83, Matt Fetzner '84 Brett O'Malley '84, Mark Forth '81 (?), Andrew Jungwirth '82.
A young defence but due to injuries last year they all picked up valuable ice time. It's not the most fleet defence, but they are a physical bunch with size and they should be able to take care of their own end. Maxie will probably pursue an offensive defenceman with some experience.
Forwards: Tim Green '81(?), Nathan Barrett '81 (?), Scott Borders '81 (?), Warren McCutcheon '82, Derek Ruck '82, Brain Patterson '83, Martin Podlesak '82, Triston Grant '84, Derek Parker '83, Charles Allen '84, Ryley Layden '82, Jerry Eckel '82, Brent Sedbrooke '85.
With Barrett likely gone, the Canes' offence is going to take a big hit unless the European draft is kind to them. I believe they released Kopecky in order to make room for a pick. Podlesak should produce some points, however the surrounding mix isn't loaded with potential point producers. Ryley Layden, in my opinion, is going to have a big year but after that it gets pretty thin. The Canes will need offence by committee and hope the defence can keep the puck out of the net.
Europeans: If in fact Kopecky is gone, the Canes need a goal scorer to play with Podlesak and Layden
Overagers: Barrett is as good as gone with the Canucks now stocking an entire farm team with their own talent. That leaves Tim Green, Mark Forth and Scott Borders as the overagers. Green and Borders will likely garner some interest from other teams, especially Green if he produces points early.