The Lethbridge Hurricanes announced Monday (June 17), the hiring of Kyle McDonald as their
High Performance Coach for the upcoming season.
Hurricanes General
Manager Brad Robson calls this a step in the right direction especially with a
young team. “This is the way for all teams including the NHL. Having an
enhancement coach, like Kyle who knows what it takes in working with younger
players, is a valuable tool in dealing with a young team. We believe Kyle’s
experience in coaching at all levels will only help us as we continue to grow
and develop in the future.”
McDonald has over a decade of experience in
coaching hockey (and golf) at various levels of elite athletic competition. He’s
created and implemented mental and skills programs for both players and coaches
and owns a sport psychology consulting firm.
Season Ticket
Update:
The Lethbridge Hurricanes would also like to remind their fans
that the deadline for Loyalty and Early Bird Pricing on Season Tickets for
2013-2014 is this Friday, June 21st. Fans can call the Hurricanes Ticket Office
at (403) 328-1986 or come by in person during regular office hours between
9:00am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
(From Esther Madziya, Hurricanes Media Relations)
Thanks,
Pat
The views expressed on this blog are those of the moderator and contributors and are not endorsed by 94.1 CJOC or the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Monday, 17 June 2013
GM Robson Talks New Logo & CHL Import Draft
It's been a busy month for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
So far a new Head Coach and a new logo and look for the upcoming season. The hockey club could announce one it's new assistant coaches this week as well, so needless to say there hasn't been a shortage of off-season news for this club. I would guess it won't be a quiet summer either as the team gears up for training camp at the end of August. The Hurricanes 2013-2014 schedule comes out June 26th as well as the rest of the WHL.
After the Canes unveiled their new logo last Thursday (June 13), I had a few minutes to talk with GM Brad Robson about that as well as the upcoming CHL Import Draft which takes place in early July. The CHL recently made changes, announcing this year will be the last year teams can choose a European goaltender. The hope is to give Canadian goalies more opportunities. The question is, might this completely change the plans of some General Managers in the CHL when it comes to the July 3rd Import Draft, knowing this is the final stand on Euro goaltenders? Perhaps it will, but not for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
As you will hear in the following interview, GM Robson will not be looking for a goalie in the draft as he's confident with the netminders currently in the Hurricanes system. They include Corbin Boes, Chris Tai, Jonny Hogue, Joey Desrosiers, Eric Szudor, and the latest being Stuart Skinner who the Canes selected 17th overall in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, by far the top goalie in the draft this past May.
The Hurricanes will have the 22nd overall selection in the Import Draft this year. That will more than likely be used to pick a defenceman according to Robson. Again, with the rule change on Euro goalies, you never know what kind of player will still be available at that number 22 spot.
So far a new Head Coach and a new logo and look for the upcoming season. The hockey club could announce one it's new assistant coaches this week as well, so needless to say there hasn't been a shortage of off-season news for this club. I would guess it won't be a quiet summer either as the team gears up for training camp at the end of August. The Hurricanes 2013-2014 schedule comes out June 26th as well as the rest of the WHL.
After the Canes unveiled their new logo last Thursday (June 13), I had a few minutes to talk with GM Brad Robson about that as well as the upcoming CHL Import Draft which takes place in early July. The CHL recently made changes, announcing this year will be the last year teams can choose a European goaltender. The hope is to give Canadian goalies more opportunities. The question is, might this completely change the plans of some General Managers in the CHL when it comes to the July 3rd Import Draft, knowing this is the final stand on Euro goaltenders? Perhaps it will, but not for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
As you will hear in the following interview, GM Robson will not be looking for a goalie in the draft as he's confident with the netminders currently in the Hurricanes system. They include Corbin Boes, Chris Tai, Jonny Hogue, Joey Desrosiers, Eric Szudor, and the latest being Stuart Skinner who the Canes selected 17th overall in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, by far the top goalie in the draft this past May.
The Hurricanes will have the 22nd overall selection in the Import Draft this year. That will more than likely be used to pick a defenceman according to Robson. Again, with the rule change on Euro goalies, you never know what kind of player will still be available at that number 22 spot.
Friday, 14 June 2013
Background on Hurricanes New Logo Designer
Chris Polychronopoulos is a Creative Director working for one of the most
awarded digital marketing agencies in the world, AKQA INC. AKQA is known for
innovative digital brand and marketing experiences for Nike, Audi, Google,
Budweiser, Jordan and more. Chris is currently working on numerous accounts in
the company’s New York office.
Chris grew up in Lethbridge playing for various sports clubs including the Lethbridge Cosmos Soccer Club, Lethbridge Minor Hockey, Lethbridge Baseball and attended Winston Churchill High School where he played point guard for the Churchill Bulldogs, winning a 3A Zone Championship title in 1998.
He attended the International Academy of Design in Montreal, studying Graphic Design and Digital Multimedia. He’s spent the last 13 years crafting unique design and shaping strategic marketing platforms for some of the world’s most iconic brands including Google, Disney, Olympus, Morgans Hotel Group, Dell, Chanel Egoiste, M.A.C cosmetics, Bank of America, Dow Chemical, Best Buy and Anheuser-Busch.
His diverse background of business strategy and design expertise began in Montreal and then in Calgary, working on brand development and advertising with high profile clients such as Molson, The Calgary Flames, Concorde Group, Cove Properties, Homes by Avi and Calgary Magazine. Eventually landing at global digital marketing agency Critical Mass, gaining valuable experience creating global, 360 multi-channel marketing campaigns and large e-commerce websites, mobile, tablet and social media experiences.
Before landing in New York in 2011, Chris spent 4 years in Austin, Texas, where he worked with innovative digital agency Schematic to help launch and lead creative for the company’s fourth US location. There he created global marketing programs, and designed groundbreaking online, mobile and digital multi-gesture work with various teams in Austin, New York and Los Angeles.
The work he’s lead and conceived has been mentioned in Fast Company magazine, Time Magazine Online, USA today and Reuters. Chris is an active member of the American Institute of Graphic Designers (AIGA) and the Art Directors Club (ADC).
(From Esther Madziya, Hurricanes Media Relations)
Thanks,
Pat
Chris grew up in Lethbridge playing for various sports clubs including the Lethbridge Cosmos Soccer Club, Lethbridge Minor Hockey, Lethbridge Baseball and attended Winston Churchill High School where he played point guard for the Churchill Bulldogs, winning a 3A Zone Championship title in 1998.
He attended the International Academy of Design in Montreal, studying Graphic Design and Digital Multimedia. He’s spent the last 13 years crafting unique design and shaping strategic marketing platforms for some of the world’s most iconic brands including Google, Disney, Olympus, Morgans Hotel Group, Dell, Chanel Egoiste, M.A.C cosmetics, Bank of America, Dow Chemical, Best Buy and Anheuser-Busch.
His diverse background of business strategy and design expertise began in Montreal and then in Calgary, working on brand development and advertising with high profile clients such as Molson, The Calgary Flames, Concorde Group, Cove Properties, Homes by Avi and Calgary Magazine. Eventually landing at global digital marketing agency Critical Mass, gaining valuable experience creating global, 360 multi-channel marketing campaigns and large e-commerce websites, mobile, tablet and social media experiences.
Before landing in New York in 2011, Chris spent 4 years in Austin, Texas, where he worked with innovative digital agency Schematic to help launch and lead creative for the company’s fourth US location. There he created global marketing programs, and designed groundbreaking online, mobile and digital multi-gesture work with various teams in Austin, New York and Los Angeles.
The work he’s lead and conceived has been mentioned in Fast Company magazine, Time Magazine Online, USA today and Reuters. Chris is an active member of the American Institute of Graphic Designers (AIGA) and the Art Directors Club (ADC).
(From Esther Madziya, Hurricanes Media Relations)
Thanks,
Pat
Thursday, 13 June 2013
Lethbridge Hurricanes Unveil New Look
 |
| This logo will be on the white away jersey |
Late last year, the Hurricanes were informed by the NHL that the club could no longer use the current logo. In the months and weeks that followed, the Hurricanes formed a committee, reached out to three different designers and with Reebok, created a new brand and look.
Board President Brian McNaughton says the Canes want a brand to be proud of, that lasts with integrity and authenticity.
The hockey club feels this look represents the community, fans, players, and it celebrates the passion, excitement, and love for the game of hockey. The Hurricanes also announced a partnership with Lethbridge Minor Hockey that all Rep teams will be adopting the new logo on their uniforms and they'll also be known as the Lethbridge Junior Hurricanes.
 | |||
| Left to right: Jamal Watson, Russ Maxwell, Brady Ramsay, Johnny Hogue |
I spoke with Hurricanes Business Manager Terry Huisman about the change and the meaning behind the new stylized "H" logo.
Monday, 10 June 2013
Hurricanes Name Drake Berehowsky Head Coach
 |
| Drake Berehowsky (left) with GM Brad Robson (right) |
Former NHLer Drake Berehowsky will be the new man in charge behind the bench, replacing Rich Preston who was let go a few months ago. General Manager Brad Robson made the announcement outside the Hurricanes dressing room Monday morning. Berehowsky becomes the 12th coach in Lethbridge Hurricanes history and tells me he's very excited to be moving his family to Lethbridge and to be part of the WHL.
Berehowsky has extensive experience as a player with six NHL teams, but also as an Assistant Coach in the AHL with Peoria and in the OHL with Barrie and Brampton. GM Robson says Berehowsky's coaching experience and his high performance coaching certification with Hockey Canada shows how well prepared he is.
I had a chance to speak with both Drake and Brad about the hiring.
Thanks,
Pat
Friday, 7 June 2013
Hurricanes Call Monday Media Conference
It's going to be a busy week for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The hockey club has called an "important" news conference for Monday morning (June 10) at 10:00 MDT at the ENMAX Centre at which time General Manager Brad Robson is expected to announce his new Head Coach.
Robson received well over 50 applications for the job and the resumes starting coming in shortly after he was appointed GM following the firing of Rich Preston a couple of months ago. No word on when Robson will announce who the Assistant Coaches will be. That will likely be a week or so later.
The Hurricanes will also hold another big media event on Thursday (June 13) at the ENMAX Centre. A press conference which was called last week. As the team has been tweeting for days now......"Change Is Coming".
Certainly no shortage of Hurricanes news in the coming days. Stay tuned to the blog for interviews from the two news events!
Fun and exciting times ahead for the Hurricanes.
Thanks, Pat
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Lethbridge Hosting 2013 Super Series Game Nov. 28
The Canadian Hockey League in association with SUBWAY® restaurant chain along
with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the
Western Hockey League today announced Lethbridge as one of the six Canadian host
centres for the 2013 SUBWAY® Super Series to be played November 18-28,
2013.The six-game series, which features regional teams of Canadian National Junior Team candidates competing against the Russian National Junior Team, begins with two games hosted by the QMJHL on Monday November 18 in Gatineau, QC, home of the Olympiques, and Wednesday November 20 in Sherbrooke, QC, home of the Phoenix. The competition shifts to the OHL for the middle leg of the series with Game 3 to be hosted by the Oshawa Generals on Thursday November 21, followed by Game 4 hosted by the Sudbury Wolves on Monday November 25. The final two games of the series move west to Alberta where the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels will host Game 5 on Wednesday November 27, with the series concluding on Thursday November 28 with Game 6 hosted by the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The SUBWAY® Super Series has been an integral part of the identification process for Team Canada for the past 10 years prior to the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Last season, Team Russia captured their second SUBWAY® Super Series title since 2010 and later edged Canada 6-5 in overtime of the Bronze Medal Game of the 2013 World Junior Championship played in Ufa, Russia, with a roster that included five CHL players and an additional 17 players from this series. Last year’s Canadian National Junior Team featured 22 players from the 2013 SUBWAY® Super Series along with Rebels’ grad Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who participated in the event in 2010.
The event returns to five of the six 2013 SUBWAY® Super Series hosts with Gatineau previously hosting a 3-2 QMJHL shootout victory in 2007 led by current Boston Bruin Brad Marchand. Oshawa hosted a 4-3 OHL win in 2006 with the game-winner scored by current Winnipeg Jet Bryan Little. Sudbury has twice hosted the series including 2007 where Team OHL won 4-2 with
a squad that featured Steven Stamkos and John Tavares, then hosted a 2-1 shootout victory for Team OHL in 2010 led by hometown hero and Buffalo Sabre Marcus Foligno. Red Deer and Lethbridge both hosted in 2004 with current Winnipeg Jet Andrew Ladd scoring two goals and an assist as part of a 6-0 WHL win in Red Deer, and current Washington Capital Eric Fehr scoring a goal and an assist in a 5-2 WHL win in Lethbridge.
All six games of the SUBWAY ® Super Series will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet with TVA Sports televising both games from the QMJHL.
The 2013 SUBWAY® Super Series is supported by CHL associate sponsors Bank of Montreal and Old Dutch.
2013 SUBWAY® Super Series Schedule of Games:
Game 1 – Monday November 18 at Gatineau, QC
Game 2 – Wednesday November 20 at Sherbrooke, QC
Game 3 – Thursday November 21 at Oshawa, ON
Game 4 – Monday November 25 at Sudbury, ON
Game 5 – Wednesday November 27 at Red Deer, AB
Game 6 – Thursday November 28 at Lethbridge, AB
The Lethbridge Hurricanes will announce ticket information, including pricing and when tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks.
(From Esther Madziya, Hurricanes Media Relations)
Thanks,
Pat
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