cvandenberg22
Registered User
- Dec 25, 2012
- 104
- 52
The Guelph Storm are going to be one of those OHL teams that are poised to make some major strides this year coming out of the COVID shutdown. Guelph has some really promising young players who have never played in the OHL, and some veterans to help them develop.
Forwards
Danny Zhilkin (2003, C) is poised to have a huge season and will be a 1st rounder in this year’s NHL draft. Anaheim 3rd rounder Sasha Pastujov (2003, LW) will ride shotgun and should have a big season. Some of their returning players need to take a couple of steps forward in order to be competitive as very few played meaningful minutes before the shutdown. Jacob Maillet (2003, C), Marko Sikic (2003, C), Braeden Bowman (2003, RW), Nolan Forster (2003, RW), Ben McFarlane (2002, RW), Cooper Walker (2002, RW) and Matthew Papais (2002, LW) are included in this group and come with a lot of question marks. They will be pushed immediately by rookies Matthew Poitras (2004, C), Jake Karabela (2004, C) and import pick Valentin Zhugin (2004, LW), who have a ton of skill and are eager to make a big impact. Chase Coughlan (2005, RW) and Charlie Paquette (2005, RW) should find themselves spots in the bottom 2 lines to start the season. Even though Guelph currently does not have any overagers who look to challenge for a spot, look for them to secure one of the many who will be released as teams try to pair down to 3 before the season begins.
Defense
Golden Knights 2nd rounder Daniil Chayka (2002, LD) will be the rock on the back end, and he will be joined by veterans Michael Bianconi (2002, LD), and Luke Profaca (2002, RD). Behind those three is a significant youth movement with 2020 OHL 1st rounder Michael Buchinger (2004, LD), future superstar Cameron Allen (2005, RD) and import pick Leo Hafenrichter (2004, RD) looking to secure spots in the top 2 pairs. Zach Sandhu (2005, RD) and Jakob McRae (2005, LD) are also waiting in the wings, but may find themselves on the outside looking in if Guelph picks up an overager to help the youth movement develop.
Goalies
Owen Bennett (2002) will try to secure the #1 spot after serving as a backup to Nico Daws. There was a significant dropoff between Bennett and Daws, so he has to show that he can handle the added pressure. Behind him are some promising options with Jacob Oster (2004) and Dixon Grimes (2003), with Oster having the inside track as the backup.
Future Watch
The signing of Pastujov cashed in one of those lottery tickets that Guelph always takes in the OHL draft. Vinny Borgesi (2004, RD), Jack Devine (2003, C) and Dylan Gratton (2003, LD) are American players they have the rights to and would make big impacts if they decided to change plans and play in the OHL. Likewise for Ayrton Martino (2002, LW) who was selected in the 3rd round of the 2021 NHL draft by the Dallas Stars. Guelph has Flint’s 2nd rounder in 2022, and has 2 2nd rounders in 2023. They also have a 3rd round pick in each of the next 3 OHL drafts.
Final Thoughts
Guelph is a very young, promising team whose timeline to compete begins next season. They may struggle to get out of the gate with so few impact 2002s and 2003s, but will get better as the season goes on and their 2004s and 2005s adjust to the speed of the OHL. They will have to decide at the deadline whether they need to offload some of their 2002s for more young players and picks, or if they will keep them to prepare for a run next season. Either way, it will be fun to watch the young kids develop.
Forwards
Danny Zhilkin (2003, C) is poised to have a huge season and will be a 1st rounder in this year’s NHL draft. Anaheim 3rd rounder Sasha Pastujov (2003, LW) will ride shotgun and should have a big season. Some of their returning players need to take a couple of steps forward in order to be competitive as very few played meaningful minutes before the shutdown. Jacob Maillet (2003, C), Marko Sikic (2003, C), Braeden Bowman (2003, RW), Nolan Forster (2003, RW), Ben McFarlane (2002, RW), Cooper Walker (2002, RW) and Matthew Papais (2002, LW) are included in this group and come with a lot of question marks. They will be pushed immediately by rookies Matthew Poitras (2004, C), Jake Karabela (2004, C) and import pick Valentin Zhugin (2004, LW), who have a ton of skill and are eager to make a big impact. Chase Coughlan (2005, RW) and Charlie Paquette (2005, RW) should find themselves spots in the bottom 2 lines to start the season. Even though Guelph currently does not have any overagers who look to challenge for a spot, look for them to secure one of the many who will be released as teams try to pair down to 3 before the season begins.
Defense
Golden Knights 2nd rounder Daniil Chayka (2002, LD) will be the rock on the back end, and he will be joined by veterans Michael Bianconi (2002, LD), and Luke Profaca (2002, RD). Behind those three is a significant youth movement with 2020 OHL 1st rounder Michael Buchinger (2004, LD), future superstar Cameron Allen (2005, RD) and import pick Leo Hafenrichter (2004, RD) looking to secure spots in the top 2 pairs. Zach Sandhu (2005, RD) and Jakob McRae (2005, LD) are also waiting in the wings, but may find themselves on the outside looking in if Guelph picks up an overager to help the youth movement develop.
Goalies
Owen Bennett (2002) will try to secure the #1 spot after serving as a backup to Nico Daws. There was a significant dropoff between Bennett and Daws, so he has to show that he can handle the added pressure. Behind him are some promising options with Jacob Oster (2004) and Dixon Grimes (2003), with Oster having the inside track as the backup.
Future Watch
The signing of Pastujov cashed in one of those lottery tickets that Guelph always takes in the OHL draft. Vinny Borgesi (2004, RD), Jack Devine (2003, C) and Dylan Gratton (2003, LD) are American players they have the rights to and would make big impacts if they decided to change plans and play in the OHL. Likewise for Ayrton Martino (2002, LW) who was selected in the 3rd round of the 2021 NHL draft by the Dallas Stars. Guelph has Flint’s 2nd rounder in 2022, and has 2 2nd rounders in 2023. They also have a 3rd round pick in each of the next 3 OHL drafts.
Final Thoughts
Guelph is a very young, promising team whose timeline to compete begins next season. They may struggle to get out of the gate with so few impact 2002s and 2003s, but will get better as the season goes on and their 2004s and 2005s adjust to the speed of the OHL. They will have to decide at the deadline whether they need to offload some of their 2002s for more young players and picks, or if they will keep them to prepare for a run next season. Either way, it will be fun to watch the young kids develop.
