Although the Lethbridge Hurricanes were quiet during Western Hockey League trade deadline day on Thursday, January 9, plenty of moves were made before then.
General manager Peter Anholt is optimistic going into the second half of the WHL season. The local club is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 23-14-1-1 and 48 points over 39 games as of Monday, January 13.
Anholt believes transactions made prior to the trade deadline will help the team during this last half of the 2024-25 campaign.
“I think once we get everybody in our lineup, once we get through the injuries and we get through the suspensions and the resting from World Juniors and all that, it will be fun to see our full lineup all together,” the GM remarks.
Anholt says it is always difficult giving away players and draft picks, but sometimes it is necessary when on the hunt for future success.
“When we did the [Brayden] Yager deal, and even the way I say that, you know, [Jackson] Unger is kind of the forgotten player,” he states.
In early December, the ‘Canes acquired Yager and Unger from the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for forward Landen Ward, netminder Brady Smith, the WHL playing rights to defenceman Colt Carter and six draft picks.
“People always talk about how much we paid in the Yager deal and they forget that we got a top centre iceman and a top goalie in the deal.”
READ MORE: Hurricanes acquire Yager, Unger from Warriors
In another deal with Moose Jaw this season, Lethbridge received defenceman Vojtech Port for Ryder Ellis, a third-round pick in the 2025 draft and a 2027 second-round draft pick.
“Adding Port earlier, I thought that was really important,” Anholt adds.
“He plays in that five-hole for us but can always move up at any given time and just judging by the way he played at the World Juniors, I thought he played great for the Czechs. So, that’s another little tool in our toolbox, that we’ve added a guy like him that’s done well at the World Junior level, which is a whole different level.”
READ MORE: Hurricanes acquire Ducks prospect Vojtech Port from Warriors
READ MORE: Hurricanes GM reflects on World Juniors experience with Team Canada
Following the trades made this season, the Hurricanes roster boasts six players affiliated with NHL teams.
These include Yager (Winnipeg Jets), Port (Anaheim Ducks), as well as Jordan Gustafson (Vegas Golden Knights) and Caden Price (Seattle Kraken), both acquired in deals made ahead of the deadline, Noah Chadwick (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Miguel Marques (Nashville Predators).
CONFIDENCE
Anholt describes the WHL Central Division as “a juggernaut” and believes the Hurricanes have “a tough road” ahead but says it is “an exciting road”.
Lethbridge is in third in the division, which is led by the Medicine Hat Tigers.
“We have a great coaching staff [and] I really like where we’re at,” he remarks, adding that he believes head coach Bill Peters is “the best coach in the league”.
“There’s lots of good teams so we’re going to be challenged and hopefully that makes us better for any kind of a playoff run that we do have.”
READ MORE: Hurricanes acquire Golden Knights prospect Jordan Gustafson
READ MORE: Hurricanes trade for Seattle Kraken prospect Caden Price
Anholt notes once Lethbridge’s bid to host the 2026 Memorial Cup was announced as unsuccessful, the organization had to pivot.
READ MORE: Kelowna to host 2026 Memorial Cup, Lethbridge Hurricanes’ bid unsuccessful
He says they looked at the group of players they had, and the front office went to work creating an ‘elite’ group to push for success in the post-season.
“We know we’re in a tough division and in our conference and in the league, but that’s what makes the Western [Hockey] League the best league in the world,” Anholts comments.
READ MORE: Hurricanes trade picks to Regina Pats for forward Anthony Wilson
He says the team is set up well for the future, thanks to prospects like Easton Daneault.
“I credit our scouting staff,” Anholt says.
“Our scouts have done a great job in creating depth for us.”
READ MORE: Red Deer’s Easton Daneault signed by Lethbridge Hurricanes
A full list of transactions around the league is available at the WHL website.
UP NEXT FOR THE ‘CANES
The Hurricanes are currently on a five-game road trip and have won four games in a row.
They started the current stretch on Friday, January 10 with a 2-1 overtime win against the Swift Current Broncos, followed by a 4-2 win against the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday, January 11. The ‘Canes visit the Tri-City Americans on Wednesday, January 15, and are back on home ice Wednesday, January 22 to host the Regina Pats.
