2024 WHL Graduates – Lethbridge Hurricanes

Over the summer, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2023-24 season in a 22-part, team-by-team series. 

We continue with the graduating players from the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Joe Arntsen (D)
Hometown: Dinsmore, Sask.
WHL Career Stats: 268 GP – 27G-79A – 106 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – Second Round, 35th Overall (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

For the first time in six seasons, the ENMAX Centre in Lethbridge, Alta. will be without longtime resident Joe Arntsen. Arntsen, 21, graduates from both the Lethbridge Hurricanes organization and the Western Hockey League after a 268-game career that initially began during the 2018-19 season. Selected in the second round, 35th overall by the Hurricanes at the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, the blueliner made his debut on January 4, 2019. His first career WHL point came in the following season – an assist in a 6-0 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors on October 15, 2019. And it was during the 2021-22 season, that the Dinsmore, Sask. local broke out the offence, setting career highs in assists (29) and points (37) through 68 appearances. Quickly becoming a fan-favourite among the ‘Caniacs’ and in the team’s locker room, ‘Jumbo Joe’ further cemented his legacy in Southern Alberta by being named captain. Holding the role until his graduation, Arntsen is one of two Hurricanes alumni to serve as team captain for parts of three seasons. In April 2024, Arntsen signed a one-year contract with the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League, running through the 2024-25 season.

Food for thought:

Joe Thornton is listed at 6'4" and 220 Ibs.
Joe Arntsen tops out at 6'2.5" and 198 Ibs.

Does this mean our Joe can be referred to as 'Semi-Jumbo Joe?' @WHLHurricanes pic.twitter.com/kK6IdU96ae

— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 7, 2022

Dylan Sydor (F)
Hometown: Kamloops, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 202 GP – 52G-48A – 100 points
WHL Draft: Listed (Kamloops Blazers)

A trade deadline acquisition from the Kamloops Blazers, forward Dylan Sydor joined the Lethbridge Hurricanes in January 2024, playing a total of 22 games. In that span, the then 20-year-old collected 10 goals and five assists for 15 points. Prior to his move to Southern Alberta, Sydor, a second-generation WHLer, was a member of his hometown Blazers. Going undrafted at the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, Sydor signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Blazers in March 2021. He then played parts of four seasons in Kamloops, collecting 85 points (42 goals–43 assists) in 180 appearances. Dylan is the son of WHL Defenceman of the Year, WHL Champion, Memorial Cup Champion, and two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Darryl Sydor. Like Dylan, Darryl is a Kamloops Blazers alumnus – collecting 274 points (77 goals–197 assists) in 227 Western League games.

Dylan Sydor hits the 25-goal mark for the first time in his WHL career!@WHLHurricanes pic.twitter.com/3OK2VkvBzI

— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 7, 2024

Sean Tschigerl (F)
Hometown: Whitecourt, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 273 GP – 95G-117A – 212 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – First Round, Fourth Overall (Calgary Hitmen)

Forward Sean Tschigerl spent parts of six seasons in the WHL with both the Calgary Hitmen and Lethbridge Hurricanes. Initially selected fourth overall by the Hitmen at the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, Tschigerl made his way onto the WHL stage backed with large expectations. Expectations that the product of Whitecourt, Alta. handled with ease. Tschigerl made his WHL debut with the Hitmen on January 20, 2019, and scored his first career goal on March 9, 2019, against, funny enough, the Lethbridge Hurricanes. At just 16 years old, Tschigerl skated in 56 regular season games with the Hitmen, amassing 13 points (four goals–nine assists). 246 of Tschigerl’s 273 career Western League games were with the Hitmen, collecting a total of 193 points (87 goals–106 assists) in Cowtown. At the 2021 NHL Draft, Tschigerl was selected in the fifth round, 130th overall by the Anaheim Ducks. Going unsigned, the 20-year-old returned to the Western League for his final season of eligibility. He was acquired by the Hurricanes at the 2023-24 WHL Trade Deadline, making his Canes debut on January 9, 2024. On February 3, 2024, Tschigerl faced off against the Hitmen for the first time in his career, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 routing over his former club. In 27 regular season appearances with the Hurricanes, the graduate racked up 19 points (eight goals–11 assists).

Scriptwriters went crazy with this one. @WHLHurricanes | #WHLHatTricks pic.twitter.com/Sa5QdzlfoZ

— The WHL (@TheWHL) February 4, 2024