Lethbridge Hurricanes players practice at the ENMAX on Thursday, September 21, 2023. The Hurricanes open the 2023-24 WHL regular season against Swift Current on Friday, September 22. (Photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

WHL

Lethbridge Hurricanes gearing up for start of 2023-24 regular season

Sep 21, 2023 | 12:39 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes are ready to lace up their skates and start the 2023-24 Western Hockey League (WHL) regular season.

Lethbridge opens the season on home ice as they host the Swift Current Broncos on Friday, September 22, 2023. The Hurricanes finished their pre-season with two wins and two losses.

READ MORE: Lethbridge Hurricanes wrap up pre-season 2-2

Left winger Trae Wilke, who suited up in 35 games for Lethbridge last season, said his confidence is high and he is excited to play a full season with the WHL club.

Wilke said, “Last year [was] a bit of a tougher year, in here just getting my feet wet but this year, it’s go time. Confidence was up in training camp and in pre-season.”

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It’s a season of change for Lethbridge, with long-time head coach Brent Kisio having departed the team in August. Former National Hockey League (NHL) coach Bill Peters was named as his replacement.

READ MORE: Lethbridge Hurricanes announce Bill Peters as new head coach

Wilke said so far, Peters has created a positive atmosphere ahead of the start of the season.

He said, “Bill’s been talking to us lots and he’s been really good around the guys. It’s good to have a new face, and I think he’ll be good for the organization.”

Defenseman Carsen Adair is one of the new faces on the Hurricanes’ full-time roster, after being selected 55^th overall in the third round by Lethbridge in the 2022 WHL Draft.

Adair remarked that he is looking forward to hitting the ice and being named to the opening night roster “means everything” to him.

He said, “All the training I’ve done and where I’ve come from, it’s for sure exciting to be a part of this.”

“I’m just looking to take a stride into the [WHL].”

When asked about playing under the coaching of Bill Peters, Adair said, “I think Bill’s a great guy, [he’s] for sure smart and it’s good to have a pro coach and he’s made a pro-like environment, for sure, in the dressing room and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

Right winger Tyson Zimmer is a returnee from last season’s roster, having played 64 games with Lethbridge during the 2022-23 campaign.

He remarked that after taking time to get to know his teammates and members of the organization last season, he is feeling more comfortable heading into this new year.

Zimmer said, “Last year, I knew a couple of guys coming in and then I kind of got to know guys but it too me a little bit to be comfortable, where now this year, I know everyone and I’m kind of the guy that’s helping people out.”

He added that he is looking forward to helping some new players on the roster find their groove. As for a strategy going into the 2023-24 season, Zimmer said he’s “just doing what I can to help this team win.”

He is looking forward to playing under a new coach but gave kudos to his former bench boss Brent Kisio.

Zimmer said, “I loved Brent last year, he really helped me out personally, for sure. This year, with Bill coming in, it’s been really fun [and] a lot of the guys love him, so it’s been good.”

Last season, the Hurricanes were swept in the first-round of the playoffs by the Moose Jaw Warriors.

READ MORE: Hurricanes eliminated from WHL playoffs following 5-2 loss against Moose Jaw

Lethbridge will open the 2023-24 regular season at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 22 against the Swift Current Broncos at the ENMAX Centre.

Read more local sports at Lethbridge News Now.

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