Former Lethbridge Hurricanes GM Peter Anholt says last two years ‘have been hard’

Former Hurricanes GM Peter Anholt resigned after a disciplinary hearing, but he says he was originally planning to leave at the end of last season.

Former Lethbridge Hurricanes general manager Peter Anholt says there are several reasons behind his resignation last month.

The club announced on Jan. 9 that Anholt had resigned following a WHL disciplinary investigation stemming from a historical personal conduct matter.

The alleged incident, dating back to 2015, involved a verbal interaction with a player that falls outside the WHL’s standards of conduct with respect to threatening and intimidating language.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

It followed a WHL disciplinary action in November 2025, in which Anholt was suspended following a display of intimating behaviour from him during a post-game address to the team after a loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings.

But Anholt says those two incidents were only part of the reason for his departure.

“I have always said that when doing this job is not fun anymore, it will be time to step away, and now it is that time,” Anholt said in a recent statement.

“The last two years have been hard in so many ways.”

Anholt says he suffered a heart attack in 2023.

“The wins weren’t as much fun and the losses became more hell than ever before,” his statement said.

He went on to say that“being a part of Hockey Canada’s World Junior team as the manager was, without a doubt, the “greatest honour” he had “ever had in hockey.”

“Unfortunately, it was the greatest disappointment too. The feeling of letting your country down leaves a hole in your gut that doesn’t seem to ever go away.”

Anholt was planning to step away at the end of the 2024-25 season, but says he did not want to leave the team without draft picks.

“So, I decided to stay one more year in hopes of providing a base for the organization to move forward with,” his statement said.

“When I look at it now, there is a very good, young coaching staff in place. The scouting staff is a solid veteran crew. The hockey support staff is as good as any in hockey. The office staff, led by Terry Huisman, is simply the best.”

The Hurricanes announced senior advisor Barclay Parneta as the interim general manager for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Anholt joined the Hurricanes as general manager and head coach in December 2014.

“I have had the privilege of working with three head coaches, all of whom brought stability, professionalism, and a strong work ethic and they were all great to work with over the years,” he said in the statement.

“To the more than 1,000 players I have had the pleasure to coach, manage, scout and be a part of the development: a huge thank you. I know I could be a very demanding coach and GM, but it was always with the intention to make you better as a player and help our team win. I was able to coach and manage some of the greatest players and competitors of all time. There were, and are, so many good men.”

During his 11 years as general manager with the Hurricanes, Anholt managed a drastic turnaround and lead the club to three conference finals in 2017, 2018 and 2025.

In June 2025, his son Matt was named the Hurricanes’ head coach.

“I am so sorry I could not bring you another Championship – that was always the goal,” Anholt said in his statement.

“Hopefully, with fresh eyes and fresh thoughts and the already established base of prospects in place, there is one in the not-so-distant future for the Hurricanes.”