Kisio spent eight years with the team, leading them playoff appearances every year, including back-to-back trips to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Kisio leaving Hurricanes for professional opportunity

Aug 10, 2023 | 2:02 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes have announced that head coach Brent Kisio will leave the team for a job in the professional ranks.

Kisio has been hired as an assistant coach for the Henderson Silver Knights, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights.

Kisio joined the Hurricanes before the start of the 2015-16 season after multiple years as an assistant with the Calgary Hitmen.

Kisio spent eight years with the team, leading them playoff appearances every year, including back-to-back trips to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.

He was also named the WHL Eastern Conference Coach of the Year for the 2015-16 season, and ranks as the winningest coach in franchise history with 267 regular season victories, the only Hurricanes coach with over 200.

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Aside from his time in Lethbridge, Kisio represented Canada multiple times as a coach for tournament at the U17, U18 and U20 levels. He won a gold medal as head coach at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament, and as an assistant coach for Canada at the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championships in Halifax.

Kisio said he cherished his time in Lethbridge. “Being here for eight years, Lethbridge has become home for my family. From the friends we have made to the support we have received; we feel very lucky and appreciative for everything Lethbridge has offered.”

He added, “My family and I will also remember my time in Lethbridge fondly and I hope that I’m remembered as a coach who left the jersey in a better place.”

Kisio is the second member of the Hurricanes’ coaching staff to leave for a professional opportunity with the Silver Knights in recent years. Andrew Doty, who was an assistant coach on Kisio’s staff, joined the Silver Knights as their video coach ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Kisio will join a Henderson Silver Knights’ team coached by former NHL player Ryan Craig, who is also entering his first year on the Silver Knights’ staff after winning the Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with Vegas in June.

Hurricanes General Manager Peter Anholt said, “Brent is leaving here as one of the greatest coaches to have been in Lethbridge, and a shoo-in for our Wall of Honour one day.”

The Hurricanes will announce their new head coach at a later date. The team kicks off their training camp on Thursday, August 31st, 2023.

Read more local sports at Lethbridge News Now.

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