Bill Peters is leaving the Lethbridge Hurricanes after two seasons as head coach. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters not renewing contract

May 15, 2025 | 11:53 AM

The Lethbridge Hurricanes will soon begin the search for a new head coach.

Bill Peters has announced that he will not be renewing his contract and will not return for the 2025-26 season.

He says he is seeking new opportunities, but did not specify what exactly that means.

“It’s the right time, it’s the right time to turn the [coaching job] over to somebody new and whoever they elect to pass it on to, it will be in more than capable hands and I’m sure [General Manager Peter Anholt] already has a plan in place,” says Peters.

“When I took over [here], they talked about leaving the jersey in a better place, and I think we are doing that. I think the culture here [in Lethbridge] is very strong.”

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Peters was hired by the Canes in August 2023, and this past season, led the team to its best finish in nine years, competing for the Eastern Conference championship.

He will wrap up his time with the Hurricanes with the fifth-best winning percentage in franchise history at 0.551.

In 2024-25, Peters was awarded the WHL Coach of the Year.

“We are very proud of the work that Bill accomplished in his two seasons with the Hurricanes. Our players, our coaches and our entire organization got better with Bill here,” says Hurricanes G.M. Peter Anholt. “The success we had on the ice speaks for itself going to the Conference Final this season and Bill being named as a finalist for the Coach of the Year. Bill was a key part of continuing to grow the positive culture that our organization has built and making sure it’s a healthy environment for our players.”

His career has seen him serve as head coach for the NHL’s Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes, while leading the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs to the Memorial Cup in 2008.

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