The 2010’s will be remembered for the rollercoaster of
emotions the Lethbridge Hurricanes sent their fans on.
From the unbelievable low of a 12-win season in 2013-2014 with
players wanting out of town and all kinds of questions about the future of the
franchise in Lethbridge to two-straight appearances in the conference final in
2017 and 2018 and finally some stability.
The last ten years have also featured plenty of memorable
moments and players. With the end of the decade now in the rearview mirror, we
thought it would be fun to put together an “All-2010’s Team”.
I didn’t have any specific criteria on selecting the team,
aside from on-ice accomplishments with the Hurricanes and not necessarily in
terms of longevity either, as some memorable seasons will always stick out as
well.
So here we go:
Goaltenders
Starter - Stuart Skinner
This might be one of the biggest “no-brainers” on this list. Skinner played in four games for the ‘Canes in that dreadful 2013-2014 campaign and could have easily joined others in tapping out. The first-round bantam draft pick instead put the team on his back, winning a total of 88 games over the next four seasons. While he didn’t pick up any major WHL awards in his time, he has to be considered as one of the best and most consistent while he was with the Hurricanes.
This might be one of the biggest “no-brainers” on this list. Skinner played in four games for the ‘Canes in that dreadful 2013-2014 campaign and could have easily joined others in tapping out. The first-round bantam draft pick instead put the team on his back, winning a total of 88 games over the next four seasons. While he didn’t pick up any major WHL awards in his time, he has to be considered as one of the best and most consistent while he was with the Hurricanes.
Back-up – Ty Rimmer
There was a boatload of goaltenders that made their way through Lethbridge, especially in the early 2010’s. Rimmer’s 2012-2013 season featured 2,106 reasons to get this spot, representing the number of saves he had to make.
There was a boatload of goaltenders that made their way through Lethbridge, especially in the early 2010’s. Rimmer’s 2012-2013 season featured 2,106 reasons to get this spot, representing the number of saves he had to make.
Defensemen
Top Pairing – Calen Addison and Andrew Nielson
Can you imagine if these two offensive dynamos played together? Well, they did…kind of. During Nielson’s 70-point season in 2015-2016, Addison made his debut as a 15-year-old. Now if only Nielson had stuck around for an extra couple of seasons versus going pro. Not only was Nielson great on the ice but he was also a solid contributor off the ice, winning the team’s Community Relations Award once. As for Addison, his accolades speak for themselves. He’s coming off two-straight 65-point seasons and was nearly at a point-a-game before taking off for the World Juniors as the first Hurricanes defenseman to go to the tournament since Luca Sbisa. The two play different kinds of games, which would make the pairing fun to watch.
Can you imagine if these two offensive dynamos played together? Well, they did…kind of. During Nielson’s 70-point season in 2015-2016, Addison made his debut as a 15-year-old. Now if only Nielson had stuck around for an extra couple of seasons versus going pro. Not only was Nielson great on the ice but he was also a solid contributor off the ice, winning the team’s Community Relations Award once. As for Addison, his accolades speak for themselves. He’s coming off two-straight 65-point seasons and was nearly at a point-a-game before taking off for the World Juniors as the first Hurricanes defenseman to go to the tournament since Luca Sbisa. The two play different kinds of games, which would make the pairing fun to watch.
Second Pairing – Igor Merezhko and Brennan Menell
These two might have been polar-opposite in terms of their contributions but would also be a solid pairing. Merezhko was the definition of consistency in his four seasons, while Menell was phenomenal in his one year with the Hurricanes, picking up 71 points in 70 games and was a playoff performer as well with 17 points in 20 games.
These two might have been polar-opposite in terms of their contributions but would also be a solid pairing. Merezhko was the definition of consistency in his four seasons, while Menell was phenomenal in his one year with the Hurricanes, picking up 71 points in 70 games and was a playoff performer as well with 17 points in 20 games.
Third Pairing – Daniel Johnston and Ty Prefontaine
It’s not easy playing against the best offensive players in the game but how could you not want these two players doing it night in and night out? Neither were offensive dynamos but both were tough as nails and able to battle with the biggest and most-talented in their respective seasons.
It’s not easy playing against the best offensive players in the game but how could you not want these two players doing it night in and night out? Neither were offensive dynamos but both were tough as nails and able to battle with the biggest and most-talented in their respective seasons.
Forwards
1st Line – Tyler Wong / Giorgio Estephan / Dylan Cozens
We have no doubt in our minds that Wong would be wearing the ‘C’ for this team. What didn’t he do during his time in Lethbridge? He scored some of the team’s biggest goals, played in the biggest moments and was the biggest contributor off the ice. Estephan’s abilities might have been overshadowed from time-to-time with Wong in the picture but he was a point-a-game player and, like Skinner, could have easily walked on this team during the bad years as well. Cozens has been a game-changer since he first stepped foot on Enmax Centre ice and is getting his dues by being a first round NHL pick and representing Canada with Addison at the World Juniors
We have no doubt in our minds that Wong would be wearing the ‘C’ for this team. What didn’t he do during his time in Lethbridge? He scored some of the team’s biggest goals, played in the biggest moments and was the biggest contributor off the ice. Estephan’s abilities might have been overshadowed from time-to-time with Wong in the picture but he was a point-a-game player and, like Skinner, could have easily walked on this team during the bad years as well. Cozens has been a game-changer since he first stepped foot on Enmax Centre ice and is getting his dues by being a first round NHL pick and representing Canada with Addison at the World Juniors
2nd Line – Jordy Bellerive / Cam Braes / Jamal Watson
The motor on this line would never stop and it would also have some great offensive pop to go along with it. Bellerive was a model of consistency, earning a contract with Pittsburgh. Braes was among the team’s top scorers in the early part of the decade while Watson did everything for the team during its down years. This line would have generated a lot of scoring opportunities just based on work ethic, let alone the skill they all have.
The motor on this line would never stop and it would also have some great offensive pop to go along with it. Bellerive was a model of consistency, earning a contract with Pittsburgh. Braes was among the team’s top scorers in the early part of the decade while Watson did everything for the team during its down years. This line would have generated a lot of scoring opportunities just based on work ethic, let alone the skill they all have.
3rd Line – Russell Maxwell / Brayden Burke / Jake
Elmer
Maxwell was the offensive spark on the team during the Watson years and while his numbers weren’t gaudy, they were still solid. On the flipside, Burke’s 2015-2016 season was one of the best offensively the Hurricanes have seen in a long while (109 points). And Elmer was a fan favourite and a great community guy, putting up some great numbers in 2018-2019 to earn a contract with the New York Rangers. This could have been a really interesting line to watch.
Maxwell was the offensive spark on the team during the Watson years and while his numbers weren’t gaudy, they were still solid. On the flipside, Burke’s 2015-2016 season was one of the best offensively the Hurricanes have seen in a long while (109 points). And Elmer was a fan favourite and a great community guy, putting up some great numbers in 2018-2019 to earn a contract with the New York Rangers. This could have been a really interesting line to watch.
4th Line – Egor Babenko / Brady Ramsay / Brody
Sutter
The Hurricanes couldn’t have asked for more from Babenko in his two years more than 20 goals and 55 points in each season and showed up in the playoffs as well. Ramsay picked up 41 or 42 points in three-straight seasons and picked up his share of penalty minutes. And the Sutter name brings a certain type of player to mind and Brody was that player, grinding his way to being picked by Carolina in the 7th round of the 2011 NHL Draft.
The Hurricanes couldn’t have asked for more from Babenko in his two years more than 20 goals and 55 points in each season and showed up in the playoffs as well. Ramsay picked up 41 or 42 points in three-straight seasons and picked up his share of penalty minutes. And the Sutter name brings a certain type of player to mind and Brody was that player, grinding his way to being picked by Carolina in the 7th round of the 2011 NHL Draft.
And I have no doubt in my mind the coach of this team would be the man behind the latest stretch of teams: Brent Kisio.
What do you think? Did we miss anything glaring? Drop us a line on social media.
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