The Lethbridge Hurricanes have announced head coach Bill Peters will not be returning next season.
The club says Peters, who joined the ‘Canes in August 2023, has opted to not renew his contract, as he plans to seek out new opportunities.
“It’s the right time to turn the [coaching job] over to somebody new and whoever they elect to pass it onto, it will be in more than capable hands and I’m sure Pete [Anholt, general manager] already has a plan in place,” says Peters.
“When I took over [here], they talked about leaving the jersey in a better place, and I think we’re doing that. I think the culture here [in Lethbridge] is very strong.”
The 60-year-old from Three Hills spent two seasons leading the Hurricanes bench, guiding them to post-season berths in both years while recording a regular season record of 75-49-10-2. His .551 win percentage puts him in fifth all-time in team history behind Parry Shockey (.653), Brent Kisio (.593), Bob Loucks (.583) and Lindsay Hoffard (.570).
This past regular season, Peters led the team to a record of 42-21-3-2, placing them third in the Central Division, fourth in the Eastern Conference and sixth overall in the entire WHL standings. The Hurricanes made it to the Eastern Conference Championship Series, but lost 4-0 to the Medicine Hat Tigers.
READ MORE: Hurricanes swept in eastern final by Tigers, ending 2025 playoff run
“I’d like to thank the Board of Directors and Peter Anholt for giving me the opportunity to come up here and spend the last two years with the Hurricanes,” adds Peters.
“It’s been fantastic, and I’ve enjoyed every day, but it’s time to look at some different challenges whether that’s in private business or overseas. Or maybe just go back and put my feet up and enjoy time with my family.”
For his efforts during the 2024-25 campaign, Peters was named an Eastern Conference finalist for the WHL Coach of the Year award.
“We’re very proud of the work Bill accomplished in his two seasons with the Hurricanes. Our players, our coaches and our entire organization got better with Bill here,” says General Manager Peter Anholt.
“The success we had on the ice speaks for itself going to the Conference Final this season and Bill being named as a finalist for the Coach of the Year. Bill was a key part of continuing to grow the positive culture our organization has built and making sure it’s a healthy environment for our players.”
Under Peters’ leadership, Lethbridge ended the last season as the fourth best defensive team in the league, allowing 2.89 goals per game. The ‘Canes ended the year with the top ranked penalty kill percentage at 82.2. Additionally, Peters helped the ‘Canes hold down the seventh best power play percentage at 25.2 during the regular season.
Prior to joining the Lethbridge club, Peters coached the Spokane Chiefs to the 2008 WHL Championship and Memorial Cup title before coaching professionally, with stints in the American Hockey League and in the NHL, as an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings and as head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes and Calgary Flames.
Peters also spent parts of two seasons coaching in the KHL, as well as experience coaching Canada internationally.
