Guelph Storm 2018 Offseason Thread

[HamiltonOHL]

I was never a big fan of his when he was the GM and HC here in Hamilton in year 1.. I feel for u guelph storm fans.. Honestly just being truthful if u guys didn't have merkley you guys would have one crazy season just being honest.. He likes to put ur top prospects on the 4th line until last 4-7 games of season untik he moves ur vet players then u will see those players get good lines...

Happen to matt strome his rookie year.. Was put on the 3rd-4th line until Harper got traded then saw second line minutes. Donr see any of ur top prospects getting key mins..

 

[Northernstormfan]

Honestly I wish they would just clean house and start over with a new coaching staff. Not with someone who has had any connection to the Guelph Storm team past or present. And I definitely don't like seeing one person doing two highly demanding and stressful jobs. I don't believe that he can give 100% to either job and that is going to hurt the team.

 

[Living Vicariously]

I think you already know this, but official announcement....
http://guelphstorm.com/article/storm-announce-new-head-coach-and-general-manager

 

[OhSheila]

What is the ownership situation like in Guelph? I guess George was one they could all agree on?

 

[Westside]

All I can say get ready for some really boring hockey. George's coaching style will put you to sleep. He is a good GM but terrible HC.

 

[stormfanone]

All I can say get ready for some really boring hockey. George's coaching style will put you to sleep. He is a good GM but terrible HC.

I guess you were not in Guelph in 1998. Because they won The O and lost in overtime in the cup final to Portland that was ranked number I'm the CHL all year. Bye the way Gorge was the coach. And he alsongot the Bulls to the cup in Kitchener.

 

[Buttsy]

I guess you were not in Guelph in 1998. Because they won The O and lost in overtime in the cup final to Portland that was ranked number I'm the CHL all year. Bye the way Gorge was the coach. And he alsongot the Bulls to the cup in Kitchener.

Very hard to argue his ability or success quite frankly at either role. Personally in today's game the jobs should be seperated. Why not have a Head Coach and a GM just an extra set of eyes that makes you less apt to "miss one" or make a mistake? Other then Ego or Finance it doesn't make sense?

 

[noobie1]

Very hard to argue his ability or success quite frankly at either role. Personally in today's game the jobs should be seperated. Why not have a Head Coach and a GM just an extra set of eyes that makes you less apt to "miss one" or make a mistake? Other then Ego or Finance it doesn't make sense?

Other than there will never be a worry about the coach and GM being on the same page... Drafting will be to the coaches style and the coaching system will be geared to the players being drafted...

 

[Buttsy]

Other than there will never be a worry about the coach and GM being on the same page.......

GREAT POINT: If they ever are not on the same page I fear for long term success for the team and George

 

[RoyalCitySlicker]

Shout-out to the human highlight reel.

Ryan Merkley wins the Emms Family Award for Rookie of the Year!!!

Congrats Ryan. Here's to many more successes.

 

[Fudgeo]

Pretty disappointing to hear the Jackson twins weren't at the orientation camp

 

[Chico Maki]

Pretty disappointing to hear the Jackson twins weren't at the orientation camp

It was pretty disappointing to hear that Kelly drafted them.
Passing up on players like Zabaneh, D'Amico, Wendt, Brimmer, Diodati, Frasca, Ishmael, Hoffman, Andrews and Patterson is very disappointing.
I just hope he has cleared out his last pen and pencil.

If you look at Burrnetts last two drafts in Flint, (Dellandrea, Holmes, Busby, Wismer, Littlejohn, Keppen, Gretz, Burridge, Pallandra) the Storm should finally improve in future drafts.

 

[hockeylegend11]

It was pretty disappointing to hear that Kelly drafted them.
Passing up on players like Zabaneh, D'Amico, Wendt, Brimmer, Diodati, Frasca, Ishmael, Hoffman, Andrews and Patterson is very disappointing.
I just hope he has cleared out his last pen and pencil.

If you look at Burrnetts last two drafts in Flint, (Dellandrea, Holmes, Busby, Wismer, Littlejohn, Keppen, Gretz, Burridge, Pallandra) the Storm should finally improve in future drafts.

Interesting 5 of the 10 players you mentioned that Kelly didn't draft, D'Amico, Patterson, Frasca,Andrews and Brimmer,were drafted by Windsor,all after the 5th,and all of them with the exception of Andrews who was okay, played very well at the recent Spitfire rookie camp especially D'Amico and Frasca.

 

[StormSurge9]

Pretty disappointing to hear the Jackson twins weren't at the orientation camp

I think the more disappointing fact is that this team still doesn't have an on ice component to the orientation camp.

 

[Savard18]

It was pretty disappointing to hear that Kelly drafted them.
Passing up on players like Zabaneh, D'Amico, Wendt, Brimmer, Diodati, Frasca, Ishmael, Hoffman, Andrews and Patterson is very disappointing.
I just hope he has cleared out his last pen and pencil.

If you look at Burrnetts last two drafts in Flint, (Dellandrea, Holmes, Busby, Wismer, Littlejohn, Keppen, Gretz, Burridge, Pallandra) the Storm should finally improve in future drafts.

I think the 2016 draft happened before George showed up and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the decisions on the 2017 draft were mostly left up to Asst GM Stefan and head scout McParlan. He was in the arena nearly every night, so I'm not sure how much scouting he did. That being said I was happy with him as a GM and wish he was still in Flint in that role. There's a lot of picks and young talent for him to work with in Guelph and would be surprised if he didn't find some measure of success. I know there's been criticism of Merkley, but he was 16. I expect a monster year or two out of him as he and his game mature.

 

[Duke Guy]

Tag Bertuzzi has signed.

 

[Molson Muscle]

What would be more impressive would be a Cam Hillis or David Farrance signing!!!!!!!!

 

[stormfanone]

What would be more impressive would be a Cam Hillis or David Farrance signing!!!!!!!!

I think it is great signing. I heard the Storm are talking to the two players .

 

[TcNorth]

Hello Storm fans. We are going to miss George Burnett in Flint and the great job he did. I have a question. Does anyone know anything about a U-18 Draft Pick Flint selected in D Scott Gaetz who played for the Toronto Marlboros this past season? Thank you in advance and congrats on the quick signing of Tag Bertuzzi.

 

[StormSurge9]

Hello Storm fans. We are going to miss George Burnett in Flint and the great job he did. I have a question. Does anyone know anything about a U-18 Draft Pick Flint selected in D Scott Gaetz who played for the Toronto Marlboros this past season? Thank you in advance and congrats on the quick signing of Tag Bertuzzi.

All I know is he is our owner's son. Probably a "favor" pick and unlikely to be an OHL player.

 

[StormFan87]

Anyone hear if the Storm are gonna use there import pick and release Michnac or keep Michnac and let the #4 pick go?

 

[Petes]

Anyone hear if the Storm are gonna use there import pick and release Michnac or keep Michnac and let the #4 pick go?

You would have to think they could get a draft pick for him. I personally would love to see the Petes trade for him as they won't be able to get somebody in round 2 anywhere near as talented as him...

 

[RoyalCitySlicker]

No comment on the retaining of the assistants.

Congrats to Phil Golding though! He's certainly paid his dues over the last almost decade that I've been in Guelph, and I wish him well. Knowing him a little, it couldn't have happened to a better dude.

Really hoping to see some player movement once the Memorial Cup is decided. While coaching certainly can help, it's really the players on the ice who will decide the games and this team needs more positive difference makers.

 

[stormfanone]

Director of scouting

It is about time. Now maybe the new one will have the staff talking to the players before they draft them to make sure they commit .

 

[thenumbersguy]

Import Draft

So it looks like they have a decision to make about imports. With the 4th pick it would make sense to try and use it to get more assets to build on. With Michnac and Samorukov still eligible for at least another year. I don't see Samorukov sticking in the NHL next year.

I would do one of three things, one, trade Michnac to another team needing an import that has low pick this year and Guelph make a pick to replace him. Two, keep Michnac since he showed offensive flair in the first half last year, make a pick for someone in OHL looking at a specific player who may not be there when they pick and then do a trade for a non-import roster player. Three, trade the pick to another team and get a young non-import player with big upside in return.

Either way, I think its a valuable position to be in going into the import draft.