Lethbridge Hurricanes -- LNN

By Connor Gunn

Hurricanes hockey back in action after nearly one year

Feb 26, 2021 | 5:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– Almost one year after the remaining games of the WHL 2019-20 season were cancelled due to COVID-19, WHL hockey is finally back.

Tonight, February 26, 2021, the Lethbridge Hurricanes face off their season against the Edmonton Oil Kings at 7 pm.

Five WHL teams in Alberta form the Central Division, playing a 24-game Regular Season, with teams including the Red Deer Rebels, Edmonton Oil Kings, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers, and Calgary Hitmen.

Read more: WHL season kicks off February 26

This year will look a lot different playing the same four other teams in home-and-home games.

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For the Hurricanes specifically, some of their former big players like Dylan Cozens and Calen Addison are now in the NHL.

With the league changing protocol for travel, some ‘Canes players cannot get into Canada to play the season or have chosen to sit out this season due to complications.

League officials have completely changed the living situations and quarantine guides for the players which has shaken up how players complete their daily lives.

Hurricanes Head Coach, Brent Kisio, says he’s happy the guys can be back on the ice and focus on the task at hand.

“The nice thing about hockey gives us a bit of normalcy when we’re on the ice for practice or at the rink, I’m sure games will go the same way, it gets us away from that quarantine and everything that’s gone on for the last year, it’s just about hockey at that point and we can just focus on that.”

League officials have implemented an ongoing weekly private PCR testing strategy, enhanced screening, regular temperature screenings as well as symptom monitoring through the WHL Athlete RMS Mobile Application.

“With our extensive protocols and the necessary approvals now in place, we are looking forward to play getting underway in Alberta and allowing our players to continue their development at the highest level in the Canadian system,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison.

For the Canes, last year’s season was cut off early with tons of promise, this year looks different with the number of young players and new acquisitions.

The Hurricanes kick off their season with a home-and-home series on February 26 and 27 against the Oil Kings.

More information on the Canes’ schedule can be found here.