Bill Peters not returning as Lethbridge Hurricanes head coach

Bill Peters speaks with reporters during the 2025 WHL Playoffs. (CTV News)

Bill Peters will not be returning as the head coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The team announced Thursday that Peters chose not to renew his contract for the 2025-26 season and will be seeking new opportunities.

Peters was the head coach of the squad for the past two seasons and led them to the postseason both years.

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“It’s the right time to turn the [coaching job] over to somebody new, and whoever they elect to pass it on to, it will be in more than capable hands,” Peters said.

“When I took over [here], they talked about leaving the jersey in a better place, and I think we are doing that. I think the culture here [in Lethbridge] is very strong.”

The Hurricanes finished the 2024-25 season with a 42-21-3-2 record and made it to the WHL’s Eastern Conference Championship before getting swept by the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Peters, originally from Three Hills, Alta., finishes his tenure with a total regular season record of 75-49-10-2, for a .551 win percentage.

“We are very proud of the work that Bill accomplished in his two seasons with the Hurricanes. Our players, our coaches and our entire organization got better with Bill here,” Hurricanes general manager Peter Anholt said.

“Bill was a key part of continuing to grow the positive culture that our organization has built and making sure it’s a healthy environment for our players.”

Peters, a former Calgary Flames head coach, has had several jobs in junior and professional hockey over the past 17 years, including with the Spokane Chiefs, the Rockford IceHogs and the Carolina Hurricanes.