Guelph Storm
Division: Midwest Division
Coach: George Burnett
2016-17 Record: (21-40- 5-2)
Key Additions:
Tag Bertuzzi (2nd pick in OHL Priority Draft)
Alexei Toropchenko (4th pick in CHL Import Draft)
Owen Lalonde (trade with Sudbury)
Key Departures:
Liam Herbst (University of Western)
Austin Hall
Last year they improved to 49 points, but still missed the playoffs by a considerable margin. However, the emergence of young talent, namely Ryan Merkley and Isaac Ratcliffe provide optimism for the future.
Top Players:
Ryan Merkley (D) – 62 GP / 12 G / 43 A / 55 PTS / 50 PIM / -41
Isaac Ratcliffe (W) – 67 GP / 28 G / 26 A / 54 PTS / 65 PIM / -2
Tag Bertuzzi (C) – 49 GP / 21 G / 29 A / 50 PTS / 85 PIM – with Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U
Alexei Toropchenko (W) – 45 GP / 19 G / 12 A / 31 PTS / 50 PIM / -4 – with Balashikha HC MVD
(Rus. Jr.)
Anthony Popovich (G) – 30 GP / 4.61 GAA / 0.876 SV%
Ryan Merkley, who was the first overall pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Draft, bust onto the scene last year, leading the Storm in scoring despite being a rookie defenceman. In fact, Merkley’s 55 points led all OHL rookies last season.
If the Storm hope to take another step forward this year,
Merkley will have to be front and centre. Isaac Ratcliffe took full advantage of the opportunity he was given with Guelph last year. After scoring just 13 points in his rookie season, Ratcliffe put up 54 points last season, and was rewarded by being selected in the second round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
The best returning forward from last year’s team, Ratcliffe will be counted on as an offensive leader. Tag Bertuzzi becomes the third member of his family to play for the Guelph Storm. Bertuzzi is the son of former NHLer Todd, and cousin of Detroit Red Wings prospect Tyler.
The Storm will hope that their second overall pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Draft has similar success in his rookie season to that of teammate Ryan Merkley. Alexei Toropchenko joins the Storm, who drafted him fourth overall in the 2017 CHL Import Draft, after deciding to leave Russia. The fourth round pick of the St. Louis Blues should add a dynamic presence to Guelph’s attack.
Anthony Popovich will take over as the full-time goalie for the Storm this year after only have part time responsibilities last season. The 2016/17 campaign was a tough one for Popovich, but he’s looked good in the pre-season this time around, and if Guelph wants a shot at the playoffs, he can’t afford to be bad.
It’s hard to imagine that the Guelph Storm have improved enough to make the playoffs in the upcoming season. However, they have a lot of young talent, and if they can improve as a team defensively, then they just might have a shot.