Former Vernon Vipers forward Brent Kisio & the Western Hockey League Lethbridge Hurricanes reached the 40-win mark Saturday, March 16th 2019, for the third time in four years under Kisio as he becomes the only head coach in Hurricanes history to record 40-or-more wins in three separate seasons.
Kisio is in his fourth season with the Western Hockey League Lethbridge Hurricanes, also coached at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2017 Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team that won the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in August 2017. Kisio was also an assistant coach with team Canada at the World Junior hockey Championships & an assistant coach with Team WHL, which competed against Team Russia at the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series.
In his first season with the Hurricanes, Kisio led the team to a 46-24-1-1 record, helping the team back to the post-season after a six year absence. Kisio also led the Hurricanes to their first Central Division Championship since 1996-1997 while being named the Eastern Conference’s nominee for Coach of the Year. Kisio guided the Huricanes last season to 2nd place in the Eastern Conference with a (33-33-6-0) regular season record.
Kisio was an Assistant, Associate Coach & Assistant General Manager for eight seasons with the Western Hockey League (WHL) Calgary Hitmen before being named the Lethbridge Hurricanes Head Coach June 4th 2015.
Kisio played one season in Vernon (2002-2003) The Vipers acquired Kisio in August 2002 in a trade with the Alberta Junior Hockey League Ft. McMurray Oil Barons. In 59 regular season games with the Vipers Kisio collected (20-goals-46-assists-66-points).
Brent Kisio's Player-Coaches Profile:
Former Vernon Lakers/Vernon Vipers defenceman Josh MacNevin is an assistant coach with the Hurricanes.
MacNevin retired from hockey after the 2012-13 season spent the 2013-14 season as an Assistant Coach with the University of Lethbridge before joining the Hurricanes for the 2015-16 season.
MacNevin played two years in Vernon, one with the 1994-95 Vernon Lakers before finishing his final year of junior hockey winning a Royal Bank Cup with the 1995-96 Vernon Vipers. MacNevin was drafted 101 overall in Round 4 at the 1996 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils.
Josh MacNevins Player Profile:
This was posted on the Hurricanes website:
Hurricanes End Regular Season with Eighth Straight Victory
March 16, 2019
Bryan Thomson Jake Elmer Nick Henry
Medicine Hat, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes played their final regular season game on Saturday as they earned a 3-2 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers to head into the WHL Playoffs on a season-best eight game winning streak.
It was a fast-paced first period that saw both teams get chances to open the scoring by Hurricanes goaltender Bryan Thomson and Tigers netminder Jordan Hollett were solid early. The ‘Canes had some good chances to open the scoring on a power play but could not solve the goaltender. Medicine Hat, on a power play of their own, scored first at the 17:48 mark as Brett Kemp scored his 33rd goal of the year to make it 1-0. The ‘Canes pulled back even with just 21 seconds left in the period as Nick Henry scored his 28th of the season fooling Hollett with a long-range shot to make it 1-1 after twenty minutes of play; Jake Leschyshyn and Nolan Jones earned the assists on the goal. Tigers outshot the Hurricanes 13-9 in the first period.
The Hurricanes pulled ahead early in the second period as Henry scored his second of the game at the 5:58 mark with a slapshot from the right boards to make it 2-1 Lethbridge; Taylor Ross and Jake Elmer earned the assists as Elmer extended his point-scoring streak to 18-straight games. Elmer added yet another goal, his 39th of the season, at the 10:55 mark as he scored his WHL-leading seventh shorthanded goal of the year to give the Hurricanes a 3-1 lead after forty minutes of play. The ‘Canes outshot the Tigers 17-10.
In the third period, the Tigers started with a power play but were unable to capitalize with the extra man as the ‘Canes remained in front by the 3-1 score. The Hurricanes continued to press to build upon their lead by Hollett stood tall with his best save on Jordy Bellerive. The Tigers pulled to within one as Ryan Jevne snapped home his 32nd goal of the season to make it 3-2 but that was as close as Medicine Hat came as the Hurricanes hung on to the 3-2 victory.
Final shots in the game favoured the Hurricanes 32-31. Lethbridge went 0/4 on the power play and 3/4 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were the Medicine Hat overage players:
1) Tigers – #14 Ryan Jevne (1 goal, 1 assist)
2) Tigers – #6 Dylan MacPherson (did not play)
3) Tigers – #25 Linus Nassen (no points)
The win for the Hurricanes was their eighth straight victory to end the regular season as they improved to 40-18-5-5 on the season. It’s the seventh time in their franchise history that the ‘Canes have reached the 40-win mark, and third time in four years under head coach Brent Kisio as he becomes the only head coach in ‘Canes history to record 40-or-more wins in three separate seasons.
The ‘Canes will be back at the ENMAX Centre for Game 1 of the WHL Playoffs. Individual game tickets for the first round will be available for purchase on Wednesday, March 20th at 9:00am. They can be purchased online at www.enmaxcentre.ca, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre.
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