In just two years the Lethbridge Hurricanes went from having one of the worst season's in franchise history to being a Western Hockey League team that could win the Eastern Conference, and Cochrane's Tyler Wong has been there every step of the way.

The former Airdrie Xtreme and CFR Chemical Bisons forward saw his first action with the Hurricanes in the 2011/12 season, eventually claiming his spot on the roster and playing in his fourth full season with the club.

Wong fought through tough years with the Hurricanes, including the 12 win season in 2013/14 - a time where players were requesting trades, Head Coaches walked through a revolving door, and ownership was in question.

Since then, Brent Kisio has taken on Head Coaching duties and Peter Anholt has managed the team to it's first winning season in seven years.

"It's been a total change," said Wong. "They've really brought stability to our team. We don't have to worry about anything and they're taking care of everything and they're making our jobs really easy for us. We have a really good team this year, we added a lot of talent last summer."

Battling through adversity, Kisio gave Wong Captaincy of the team at the start of the season. Since then, the Cochrane native has excelled.

"It's a huge honour and a big responsibility to try and lead the team back into the playoffs and I've got good guys around me like Giorgio Estephan, and (Justin) Guterriez, and Carter Folk. They really are huge leaders on this team as well."

The four players have been one of the main sources for offense on the team as Wong has had a career year with the Hurricanes, leading all players with 37 goals and second in team scoring with 80 points, already 24 points ahead of his total from last season.

While the offensive production has been an important part of the Hurricane's success, Wong gives credit to the Head Coach for changing the losing attitude in the dressing room.

"Losing's not acceptable and I think that this year being in first place has been a huge testament to us to that change and mindset."

"It's definitely been tough the last few years to show up to the rink with a good attitude and a good work ethic and even this year when you're on the highs of being on a winning team. We went on a couple 10 game win streaks and it's tough not to get ahead of yourselves and start getting arrogant and stop putting in the work."

Known as a player who leaves his heart on the ice, Wong has been explosive of late, being recognized as not only the WHL Player of the Week but the Canadian Hockey League's Player of the Week.

"I moved to centre when Giorgio got hurt a little while ago so me and Brayden Burke have been playing together and he's an awesome player. He really moves the puck well, we've had a lot of chemistry lately and we've been putting up big numbers. I think I had 6 (points, 2G, 4A) last Wednesday and he had 5 (1G, 4A) so we've been playing really well together."

Over that three game week, Wong had 10 points scoring 3 goals and adding 7 assists.

With his recent success, Wong was just thankful to be in Lethbridge as Captain of the Hurricanes and have the chance to play.

"We've just really talked about how blessed we are to be where we are and have the ability and the opportunity to be in the WHL, it's an amazing blessing for us and it's not any doing of our own. We've just been placed in amazing opportunities and everyday you go to the rink you just got to remember that so many kids would be so happy to be in the same spot you're in."

While the 20 year old has played in the WHL for years, he's never suited up for a playoff game - something a majority of his teammates have in common, including Airdrie's Barrett Sheen, who is in his first full season with the Hurricanes.

"We don't have the most playoff experience," said Wong. "It's going to be a learning curve but I think that if we come out to play every night like we have this year, I think we'll be fine."

The Hurricanes have already clinched a playoff spot with 8 games left in the regular season as they look to win the Central Division for the first time since 1996/97, the same year the franchise won its first and only WHL Championship.

Bradley Jones - airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com