Private or Community Ownership for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, or is it BACK to Winnipeg?

In 1967, they began as the WINNIPEG JETS.  From 1973-76 they operated as the WINNIPEG CLUBS.  Then it was one season as the WINNIPEG MONARCHS, before relocating to Calgary to become the CALGARY WRANGLERS until 1987.  In 1987,  the city that lost its BRONCOS regained its WHL team and the Lethbridge Hurricanes were born.   Prior to this season, the fewest wins in a 72 game season the Huricanes had earned was 20 (1987-88 & 2009-10) - The Canes have absolutely redefined "lousy" this season .  With only three hockey games remaining in their season, the LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES have won only 12 hockey games.

(The following Standings include games played through Mar 10, 2014 only) 

	2013-2014 Regular Season
Rank	Eastern Conference	GP	W	L	OTL	SL	PTS	PCT	GF	GA	STK	P10	PIM
1	x * - Edmonton Oil Kings	68	47	18	2	1	97	0.713	279	169	0-1-0-0	5-4-1-0	1132
2	x * - Regina Pats	69	38	25	3	3	82	0.594	244	236	0-1-0-0	7-3-0-0	1211
3	x Calgary Hitmen	69	45	17	3	4	97	0.703	271	197	1-0-0-0	7-2-0-1	1052
4	x Medicine Hat Tigers	69	42	23	3	1	88	0.638	247	188	1-0-0-0	6-3-0-1	853
5	x Kootenay Ice	68	39	25	2	2	82	0.603	226	194	2-0-0-0	7-3-0-0	794
6	x Swift Current Broncos	69	35	25	3	6	79	0.572	234	219	1-0-0-0	6-3-1-0	990
7	Prince Albert Raiders	68	33	30	3	2	71	0.522	226	239	4-0-0-0	7-2-1-0	801
8	Red Deer Rebels	69	33	31	1	4	71	0.514	202	215	0-1-0-0	5-4-0-1	1100
9	Brandon Wheat Kings	69	31	29	6	3	71	0.514	253	258	0-3-0-1	3-6-0-1	841
10	Moose Jaw Warriors	69	20	40	3	6	49	0.355	191	272	3-0-0-0	5-5-0-0	1200
11	Saskatoon Blades	68	16	47	2	3	37	0.272	191	290	0-8-0-0	1-8-1-0	943
12	Lethbridge Hurricanes	69	12	52	2	3	29	0.210	163	341	0-11-0-0	0-10-0-0	1342
Rank	Western Conference	GP	W	L	OTL	SL	PTS	PCT	GF	GA	STK	P10	PIM
1	x * - Kelowna Rockets	68	54	10	0	4	112	0.824	293	170	2-0-0-0	8-2-0-0	1027
2	x * - Portland Winterhawks	68	50	13	2	3	105	0.772	318	199	3-0-0-0	9-1-0-0	1131
3	x Victoria Royals	68	47	17	1	3	98	0.721	228	168	5-0-0-0	9-1-0-0	928
4	x Seattle Thunderbirds	68	40	22	2	4	86	0.632	226	230	1-0-0-0	4-5-0-1	1242
5	x Spokane Chiefs	68	38	24	3	3	82	0.603	232	199	2-0-0-0	5-4-0-1	1118
6	x Everett Silvertips	68	36	23	7	2	81	0.596	202	194	8-0-0-1	8-1-0-1	779
7	x Vancouver Giants	69	31	27	7	4	73	0.529	223	235	0-1-0-1	4-5-0-1	1084
8	Tri-City Americans	68	28	32	3	5	64	0.471	169	211	0-3-0-0	1-7-0-2	1012
9	Prince George Cougars	70	26	36	3	5	60	0.429	229	297	0-5-0-0	2-7-1-0	1125
10	Kamloops Blazers	69	13	51	2	3	31	0.225	166	292	0-7-0-0	1-9-0-0	1026

The Canes Board and staff have made some poor decisions several of the past ten seasons and this is undeniable.  Whether the existing board members and staff can improve the situation is debatable.  The best question this off season might be whether it is reasonable to expect ANY board consisting of volunteers with little to no hockey knowledge to do better?

Good to hear Robson say that "Lethbridge is an outstanding market..." and that "they have no thoughts whatsoever of leaving the Lethbridge market..."   But by the recent blog comments in which fans write that they WON'T be renewing their season tickets, this so called "outstanding market" might be referred to by Robison differently after next season; assuming the WHL's post mortem season review allows the same group to operate the team next season.

Season Ticket Holders, it is possible to support the PLAYERS without supporting the BOARD, GM,  and/or  the coach?  If you enjoy WHL hockey, then why not BUY your seats, then email or phone the board, GM, and/or Head Coach and communicate your displeasure -  Or do it in the opposite order!  Put some pressure on these yahoos to resign from their positions and/or make some improvements!  Lack of support &/or SILENCE is not going to achieve the desired change as quickly, if ever. 

Shareholders, make sure you are at the next shareholder meeting (and as many of the shareholders that you know and that sit around you) to either VOTE the current board members OFF THE BOARD, or to demand a vote to sell the team!

Robison reminded me in this intervew  that REGULAR SEASON gate revenue is important to help teams approach "Break even," while PLAYOFF gate revenue pushes teams cash positions further into the black.  Without the playoffs for several years (like the Hurricanes),  cash flow becomes a significant ongoing concern. 

CLEARLY, the Canes BOARD has created our current problem by hiring and extending the contract of the wrong individual; RICH PRESTON.  They have compounded their error by replacing him with two individuals that are inexperienced, and have consequently made it worse.

16 is a very convenient number for playoff teams in a number of sports and leagues.  Only 2 of the 18 teams in the QMJHL miss the playoffs every year, and only 2 teams/conference of the 20 team (2 conferences) OHL miss every year, yet since 2007 (when the Oil Kings were created), the WHL Eastern Conference jumped to 12 teams in the now 22 team league, and 4 teams miss the playoffs every year from this single conference. - This alignment is making it even more difficult for the Lethbridge Hurricanes (and other community owned franchises in this conference) to succeed.

Lethbridge has missed the playoffs in 2 of the years since the 2007 realignment to 12 teams, despite having more points than teams that MADE the playoffs in those same seasons in the 10 team Western Conference.  In fact, in each of the seven seasons except one since 2007, there has been at LEAST one team in the East that missed the playoffs despite having more points than at least one playoff bound team in the West.  In several seasons, there have been TWO teams that have missed in the East despite each having more points than both the seventh and eighth place playoff bound teams in the West. – If you were a player eligible to play in this league, where would you rather play?

Kootenay SHOULD have been put back in the WEST in 2007 when the Oil Kings were added, to make EACH conference equal with 11 teams (This is where Kootenay WAS prior to Chilliwack (now Victoria) being added in 2006 - but the WHL instead divided the league into conferences of 12 and 10 teams).

I have heard that there may be equalization payment(s) to compensate the two “extra” teams missing the playoffs in the Eastern Conference every year, but I am not sure whether the 9th and 10th place Eastern Conference teams ALWAYS get the disbursement, or whether there are "points" conditions with respect to the Western Conference playoff bound teams.

Any money that the Eastern Conference teams (may) receive in "equity," does NOT make it up to the players on these clubs that have less chance at playoff hockey!  No player wants to play on a loser team, so for as long as there are more teams in the Eastern Conference that miss the playoffs, players drafted to and playing on Eastern Conference teams will always be harder to sign and harder to keep from leaving the team/requesting trades for a greater chance at playoff exposure.

A realignment to 11 team conferences would not help the Canes with their current 12 win season predicament, but this is a change that NEEDS to be addressed by the WHL sooner than later; especially if they expect community owned teams to continue to operate in the Eastern Conference.

TC Americans Kick Hurricanes in the Astles - Canes Record Still Rankin Last

http://www.whl.ca/schedule/show/game/65585

Terrible start by the Canes matched only by an equally bad finish.  The Canes only goal was scored by Kolten Olynek (#14) and was bookended by four American goals before and after including 2 by Jesse Astles (#41) to complete the 8-1 drubbing.

Somehow, despite his team getting whipped, captain Josh Derko managed to finish the game with a plus-1, and the two national anthems were sung well.

Despite the lack of success of the team, the coaches are still holding firm to their systems.  Even more disappointing than the Canes start to the year, and contrary to his initial interviews, Head Coach Drake Berehowsky refuses to accept ANY responsibility whatsoever for his team's brutal record.   At any point does not even the most stubborn and arrogant coach ask if they should consider whether they have the right plan for his team of players?  By all early results, it appears that the Lethbridge Hurricanes may have chosen wrong man for the job... yet again.  Only question remaining is whether he figures it out in time and makes some adjustments, or... whether they allow him to pursue a certain franchise and maybe WHL record for the worst year.

Despite some very nice individual efforts across the bench, just plainly a team with the wrong plan and a true lack of intelligent/proactive coaching.  It could not be any more obvious than in this game.

Hey coach!  Here is a thought for your consideration.  When you are down 4-0, and you have a player that scores on a terrific even strength deflection from the high slot.... GIVE HIM SOME OF THAT POWERPLAY TIME that AXEL has done NOTHING to earn!

Broncos Buck Hurricanes 3-2 in Shoot-out - Bow Boes, but doesn't break - Sheen Shines - Folk Fights - Popeye Prizes First

http://www.whl.ca/schedule/show/game/65567

Halloween fun at the Enmax Centre.

First game for newcomers Riley Sheen and Carter Folk.

I for one, was extremely disappointed in this game.  Not in the effort, so much as the plan...again.  As long as the Drake keeps insisting that his systems are going to stay, so will the 0.200 Win%.

There were only a couple of entertaining moments in this one for me.  A couple of Boes saves early were real good, but then negated by the weak Broncos second period goal.  Kade Jensen made a real nice defensive play late in the third I liked a lot.  Sheen up the right wing and backhand goal along the ice was nice.  Wong to Ramsay, roofed for the second goal was real good.   Duke's (two) rushes; I thought the first SHOULD have ended in a holding penalty against the Broncos, the other he made a great move around the defender, then a last effort spin pass attempt to Axel who wasn't competing very hard for the pass- Boy, is he impressive... DUKE, that is, not Axel.  I also liked Duke, Sheen, Ramsay.

I would love to see way more of Olynek, Laurencelle, and Estephan and way less of Axel.  I sure don't see how Axel is deserving of his enormous minutes.  Are the Jets paying the Drake to play their boy?  He is way too selfish out there for my liking.  Very little physical play, dodging checks and coughing up the puck, and not using his teammates nearly enough for me.  He has only a point or two more than both Estephan and Laurencelle, yet he is getting at LEAST twice as much ice time.  WHY?

It is still the same bad plan to me resulting in most of the play in OUR end.   You can see the opposition forwards positioning themselves to intercept where they know our players are going to play the puck.  Then its giveaway after giveaway, &/or off the glass to centre ice, back in our zone, off the glass to centre ice, back in our zone... and WAY too much "Matador Defence" against players attacking our net.

On the positive side, I liked our aggressive fore check most of the game, and it was pretty much a PERFECT 60 minute execution of the Drake's plan which resulted in being out shot in every period then giving up another lead... to lose to a .500 team ... that has a 3-7 past-10 record... in OUR barn...so whats not to like?

Another date with a .500 club in the Tri City Americans this weekend, then Brandon on Sunday, currently at only 7W-9L, and 3w-7L past-10, but very likely to lose one more in Everett before they get here near the end of their long and unsuccessful road trip to the USA. - TWO more great opportunities for the Canes to figure out how to win with this wonderful "system" they have.

Next up: Broncos at Hurricanes: Tues, Oct 29, 2013






The Lethbridge Hurricanes will face the Swift Current Broncos this Tuesday, Oct 29th.  Should be a fun and probably surprisingly well attended weekday game (Halloween costumes and energetic fans for "Former Lethbridge Hurricanes" vs "Current-but-maybe-soon-to-be-Former Lethbridge Hurricanes") with at least one additional subplot.

The last time the Broncos were in Lethbridge, it was Jan 5, 2013... a couple days before "the trade."  Josh Derko did not dress in that game as he was injured.  Merkley had no points, no penalties, and was not in the shootout.  Broncos scored twice on Ty Rimmer in the shootout for the 3-2 victory.  This will be the first meeting of the two teams since the trade.

Derko did not play in Canes most recent game.  Hopefully he is able to make this one.

Derko vs Merkley Trade - A Rich Preston Deal 

Jan 7, 2013 - Josh Derko from Swift Current Broncos (and a 3rd round 2014 Bantam pick) to Lethbridge Hurricanes for Jay Merkley.

Numbers since the trade-

Derko 2012-13:     22GP, 5-4-9 (-5) 51PIM             Derko 2013-14:   14GP, 4-1-5 (-7) 26PIM

Merkley 2012-13:  29GP, 2-6-8 (-1) 8PIM             Merkley 2013-14:  15GP, 3-7-10 (-5) 4PIM

And now their respective playoff points...            

Derko 2012-13:      - Missed playoffs

Merkley 2012-13:  5GP, 1A (-4) 4PIM

This is Derko's final year of eligibility for the WHL.  Merkley is eligible through the 2015-2016 season (two more seasons after this one).

 2013-14 Standings (Broncos and Canes each played 15 games) 

Rank	Eastern Conference	GP	W	L	OTL	SL	PTS	PCT	GF	GA	STK	P10	PIM
1	* - Calgary Hitmen	15	9	3	1	2	21	0.700	56	51	6-0-1-2	6-1-1-2	246
2	* - Prince Albert Raiders	14	8	5	1	0	17	0.607	50	49	1-0-0-0	4-5-1-0	217
3	Edmonton Oil Kings	15	8	6	0	1	17	0.567	57	44	3-0-0-0	6-3-0-1	280
4	Medicine Hat Tigers	12	7	3	2	0	16	0.667	47	34	0-2-1-0	5-3-2-0	200
5	Saskatoon Blades	15	7	6	0	2	16	0.533	53	57	1-0-0-0	7-1-0-2	209
6	Moose Jaw Warriors	16	6	7	1	2	15	0.469	41	50	1-0-0-0	3-4-1-2	238
7	Brandon Wheat Kings	13	7	6	0	0	14	0.538	44	50	0-1-0-0	5-5-0-0	170
8	Regina Pats	14	7	7	0	0	14	0.500	41	48	0-2-0-0	6-4-0-0	270
9	Kootenay Ice	14	6	6	2	0	14	0.500	40	45	0-1-1-0	4-4-2-0	152
10	Swift Current Broncos	15	6	8	0	1	13	0.433	49	49	0-5-0-0	3-7-0-0	245
11	Red Deer Rebels	14	6	8	0	0	12	0.429	40	45	0-4-0-0	3-7-0-0	222
12	Lethbridge Hurricanes	15	2	11	1	1	6	0.200	38	74	0-2-1-0	1-8-1-0	287

Lethbridge Hurricanes get Bitten Hard in Third by the Jaw. Lose 4-3 in OT

http://www.whl.ca/schedule/show/game/65547

Before the game, it became known to fans that the trade requested by Hurricane players Jaimen Yakubowski ('94) and Sam Mckechnie ('94) had been made.  Both players to Seattle for left wing forwards Riley Sheen ('94), Carter Folk ('96), and a third round pick in 2015 Bantam draft.

http://www.lethbridgehurricanes.com/article/canes-make-deal-with-seattle

Along with the tremendously poor start to the season, this continues to be the season of unanswered play by the Lethbridge Hurricanes.  Similar to the home game against the Saskatoon Blades, where the Canes scored seven times before allowing the Blades to answer with five unanswered, this game featured three goals by the Canes then four by the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors.

The Hurricanes and the Warriors exchanged scoring opportunities in the first and second periods.  The Canes made the best of theirs and enjoyed a 3-0 lead through forty minutes with shots "even" at 19-20.

The visiting team that was supposed to be "so tired and weary" from their previous night's game and overnight travel absolutely dominated the third period play in shots and in scoring.  A powerplay goal scored in the first minute of the third while Cane forward Axel Blomqvist was serving time for his laziness during a late second period Hurricane powerplay started off the comeback.   Another powerplay goal during a Kade Jensen hooking penalty would make it 3-2 and easily within reach.  Watching the play, it was obvious it was just a matter of time, and as a matter of fact, they scored again with about four and one-half minutes left in the third for a 3-3 score.

The Canes would hold on for a point, but lose in overtime when Moose Jaw's leading point man and defender, Travis Brown, would intercept a Reid Duke clearing attempt to bend the twine for the Jaw's fourth unanswered of the game, and Brown's second of the game.

I have always looked forward to watching Reid Duke play.  He looked particularly frustrated in this game; in the systems, his role, and especially and naturally after his give away that resulted in the Moose Jaw game winning goal.  I wonder how long until his agent and family requests a trade?

The UnNatural Virtanen Hat Trick leads Hitmen to 6-3 Victory to end Canes 1-game Win Streak

http://www.whl.ca/schedule/show/game/65537

3 Shots for 3 goals by Virtanen, but separated by Remi Laurencelle's first of the year from his little buddy Tyler, gave the Hitmen a 3-1 lead after one, but made "Natural Hat Trick" the Wong call for former Canes broadcaster Brad Curle, and his not-so-bright homer sidekick, Ken Thrower.

Brassart's first of the game (7) came off of a shot going wide, but directed in by Ryan Pilon's skate.  Three minutes later, a Pilon shot from the point looked to be tipped in by Estephan and after a review, counted for the Canes second of the game.

Separated only by a goal knocked into their own net by Pilon, a goal called off due to Blomqvist interference with Hitmen tender, and a Hitmen empty netter; this one was much closer than the final score suggests.   Canes were outshot 16-3 in the third period, but otherwise a very respectable effort against the conference's first place team.

Blades in LA: Goals Unanswered Dream, Goals Unanswered Nightmare

http://www.whl.ca/schedule/show/game/65529

First Period:  2/2 on the powerplay, marginally outshot, but leading 3-0.

Second Period:  A couple more powerplays and four more unanswered goals later, the Canes were four seconds away from taking a 7-0 lead into the second intermission.

Cue the Blades comeback? Yup.  Beware of giving up a goal in the last minute of a period? Yup.
7-1 after two periods.  Shots almost even with the Blades having the edge by a single shot after 40 minutes (25-24).

Third Period:  The unanswered theme of the game would continue.  Along with the first seven goals by the Canes, they also enjoyed eight minutes of unanswered powerplay time.   Continuing from late in the second, almost as if they looked at the Game Summary, the stripes would create some momentum for the Blades that they couldn't generate themselves.  The Blades would enjoy six unanswered powerplays, and capitalized on four to make it 7-5 with almost five minutes still left in the contest.  

The refs arms remained down for the Canes fans despite Tyler Wong being hit from behind into the boards more than once, and the Blades Scherbak orchestrated much of the impressive comeback before he stalled it by taking an interference penalty with three and a half left in the third.  Wong would get his revenge on the Blades though, and it was on the scoreboard, with his third of the night, and the hats flew to show him the love.  That is how it would finish; 7 by the Canes, 5 by the Blades, and Wong's empty netter to secure the trick and the 8-5 win.  WHEW!  Out-shot 44-33 thanks to a 19-9 Blades/reffing exposition, but two points in the bank.

Pink In The Rink:  Breast Cancer Awareness nigh up next.  Tuesday, Oct 22nd
Opponent:  Defending WHL Champs:  The Logo-stealing, WHL-recruitment-rule-breakers, Portland Winter Hawks.