History

The Lethbridge Hurricanes compete in the Eastern Conference (Central Division) of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and play their home games at the ENMAX Centre.

The Hurricanes may be entering their 24th season in the Western Hockey League (WHL) but the 2009-2010 season is the 43nd for the franchise. The franchise began in Winnipeg in the 1967 season known as the Winnipeg Jets. The franchise stayed in Winnipeg until the conclusion of the 1976-1977 season. Prior to the 1973-1974 season, the team name changed to the Winnipeg Clubs. They were known as the Clubs until the 1976-1977 season, their last season in Winnipeg, until they changed their name to the Winnipeg Monarchs.

Following the 1976-1977 season, the franchise relocated to Calgary where they became the Calgary Wranglers. The franchise moved prior to the 1977-78 season to Calgary to replace the Calgary Centennials who became the Billings Bighorns. The Wranglers played at the Stampede Corral for the next 10 seasons before relocating to their current home in Lethbridge as the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes’ first season in Lethbridge was in 1987-1988 season.

Although the Hurricanes were new in Lethbridge, it was not the first WHL franchise to call Lethbridge their home. The Swift Current Broncos moved to Lethbridge where they were known as the Lethbridge Broncos from 1974 to 1986. The Broncos franchise relocated to Swift Current, leaving Lethbridge without a WHL team. However, it only took one season until Lethbridge received the Hurricanes.

Although the Hurricanes missed the playoffs in their first season in Lethbridge, the ‘Canes managed their first playoff series win against the Prince Albert Raiders in the 1989 playoffs. They were eliminated by the Saskatoon Blades in the East Division Semi-Final.

The Hurricanes used their momentum from the playoffs the next season as they won their first division title in franchise history. The Hurricanes marched to the league championship series but were eliminated in the final by the Kamloops Blazers in the 1990 playoffs.

After winning the East Division for the second consecutive season, the Hurricanes once again stormed through the playoffs to the WHL championship series. Unfortunately, the end result of this series was much the same as the previous season as the ‘Canes were swept by the Spokane Chiefs.

The Hurricanes made the playoffs five of the next six seasons before making their first run at the Memorial Cup. The 1996-1997 Hurricanes won their first WHL championship with series victories over the Prince Albert Raiders, the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Red Deer Rebels before sweeping the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL final.

The 1997 Memorial Cup tournament was the first in franchise history. The ‘Canes’ first game of the tournament was on May 11, 1997 against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Lethbridge won their first game 4-2 over Chicoutimi.

In the second game, the Hurricanes faced the host team, the Hull Olympiques on May 13, 1997. Despite falling behind 5-0 after the first period and trailing 6-1 heading into the third, the Hurricanes stormed back and tied the game at 6 goals apiece. Mike Josephson was the hero in overtime as he gave Lethbridge the 7-6 win early in the first overtime period.

The ‘Canes’ final round-robin game was against the Ontario Hockey League champion Oshawa Generals on May 14, 1997. The Generals defeated the Hurricanes 2-1 in the final round-robin game for both teams.

Lethbridge advanced to the Memorial Cup final after defeating the Generals 5-4 in overtime in the semi-final on May 17, 1997. The Hurricanes ended up losing the Memorial Cup final to the Hull Olympiques, 5-1 on May 18, 1997.

It wasn't until the 2007-08 season, that the Hurricanes once again saw WHL playoff success as they advanced past the firts round of the WHL Playoffs for the first time in 11 years. They then began a run that didn't stop until they had claimed the WHL Eastern Conference Championship banner before being swept in the WHL Championship by the Spokane Chiefs.

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