DEADLINE BLOCKBUSTER
January 24th, 1997 – The 1996-1997 Lethbridge Hurricanes were a special group with players like Byron Ritchie, Bryce Salvador, Mark Smith, Travis Brigley and Kirby Law, to name just a few. But on the 1997 trade deadline day – and just minutes before the deadline – Hurricanes General Manager Bryan Maxwell completed arguably the biggest trade in team history, and maybe even league history. Maxwell shipped forwards Cam Severson and David Cameron, defenseman Richard Seeley, prospect Ross Lupischuk and a second round WHL Bantam pick to the Prince Albert Raiders in exchange for forward Shane Willis, defenseman Chris Phillips and Dylan Kemp as well as goaltender Blaine Russell. The trade re-shaped the Hurricanes and helped them eventually go on to win the WHL Championship and finish runner up at the 1997 MasterCard Memorial Cup.
