Lethbridge Hurricanes general manager Peter Anholt joins (L-R) Tyden Lafournaise, Reid Soper, Leif Oaten and Cohen Pentney as they sign their WHL Scholarship and Development Agreements, May 21, 2024. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Hurricanes sign top four 2024 draft picks to WHL contracts

May 21, 2024 | 3:06 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes have signed their first four selections in the 2024 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects draft to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreements.

Forward Tyden Lafournaise was taken 13th overall by the team, followed by defenceman Reid Soper (32nd), goaltender Leif Oaten (58th), and forward Cohen Pentney (80th).

READ MORE: Hurricanes select 15 players in 2024 WHL Prospects draft

Lafournaise spent last season with the Winnipeg Bruins U15 AAA team, leading the team with an outstanding 66 goals and 60 assists for 126 points in just 32 games.

He also added six points in four regular season games with the Winnipeg Bruins U17 AAA team.

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The 5’11 forward spoke on his strengths as a player.

Soper suited up for both the Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 and U17 Prep teams this past season, tallying four goals and six assists in 25 games.

The 6’2 defenceman says he models his game off big but mobile defensemen like Edmonton Oilers blueliner Mattias Ekholm and Toronto Maple Leafs d-man Joel Edmundson.

Soper said he found out about his selection in an unusual way.

Oaten was the first goalie selected in the entire draft, and was a prospect that Hurricanes general manager Peter Anholt said the team had been eyeing for a long time.

The Calgary native appeared in 12 regular season games in 2023-24 with the Edge U15 Prep team. He finished with an impressive 11-1-0-0 record collecting a 2.90 goals against average and a .914 save percentage.

He says he is excited to join an organization with a history of strong goaltending.

Cohen Pentney was the Hurricanes’ first of two draft picks in the fourth round at 80th overall. The right-shot forward spent 2023-24 with the Calgary Flames U15 AAA team, scoring 27 goals and adding 32 assists in 31 games. He also played one game for the U17 team, scoring two goals.

Pentney says despite being listed at just 5’9, 135 pounds, he can make a difference with his speed and agility.

Anholt says, “We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to sign all four of Tyden, Reid, Leif and Cohen. This is a big day for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and all four of these young men are going to be important pieces to our organization in the future.”

The Hurricanes made 15 selections over the course of the draft.

Read more local sports at Lethbridge News Now.

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