Lethbridge, Alta., – The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club have announced they have signed 2009-born Czechia forward Oliver Vanha to a Western Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement.
Vanha, 17, was selected by the Hurricanes in the third-round (125th overall) in the 2026 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft in June. The Praha, Czechia, product spent the 2025-2026 season with the HC Dynamo Pardubice U17 team collecting 57 points (25g-32a) along with 81 penalty minutes in a plus-39 rating in 32 regular season games. He finished fourth in team scoring while also ending the season fourth in goals. Vanha also ranked 11th in league scoring while ending the campaign 15th in league goals.
“Oliver is a big, strong, powerful player with a high-end skill set and an exceptional compete level,” said Hurricanes General Manager Barclay Parneta. “He has the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways, and we believe his combination of size, talent, and work ethic gives him a very bright future. We’re excited to welcome him to the Lethbridge Hurricanes.”
The 6’4, 203-pound forward added 14 points (6g-8a) along with 20 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating in 11 post-season games with HC Pardubice U17 last year. Vanha finished tied for fourth in league playoff scoring. He also skated in 14 regular season games with the HC Dynamo Pardubice U20 club last year collecting two assists and two penalty minutes.
Internationally, Vanha is currently representing Czechia at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament in Edmonton. So far, he has one goal in two preliminary games for his nation. He also skated in 15 international games at the Czechia U16 level during the 2024-2025 season totaling five points (3g-2a) along with six penalty minutes.
Vanha joins fellow Czechia products Dominick Byrtus and Oliver Sichtar to sign with the Hurricanes for the upcoming 2026-2027 regular season.
Season Tickets for the 2026-2027 season, which will mark the Hurricanes 40th Anniversary season in Lethbridge, are now on sale. Premium Season Tickets are also available for an additional $250 per seat. Season Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Yates Memorial Theatre and VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.
