OHL 20 in 20 Futures Watch: Guelph Storm
The Guelph Storm took a defensive approach to the 2018 OHL Priority Selection emerging as the league’s only club with two blue liners picked inside the top-40.
Daniil Chayka was the club’s first pick at seventh overall and just the second defenceman chosen in the 2018 draft class. The OHL Cup Semi-Final OT hero from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens scored 33 points in 45 games last season helping JRC win Minor Midget’s top prize. Chayka’s late birthday makes him not only the youngest player chosen in the first round this season, but he’ll have three seasons with the Storm before eligible for the 2021 NHL Draft. Chayka officially announced his commitment to Guelph in May.
Zack Terry was the club’s second pick, another defenceman, chosen 36th overall from the Oakville Rangers. He also enjoyed an offensive minded season leading the OMHA’s SCTA division in scoring from the back end with 43 points in 35 games. Terry also officially announced his commitment to the club in May.
Just two picks later at 38th overall, the Storm went with forward Ty Collins from the OMHA champion York Simcoe Express who scored a goal-per-game this season notching 31 in 31 contests bringing his point total to 68 for the campaign. Collins joined Terry on Team OMHA Black at the 2018 OHL Gold Cup where the pair earned a bronze medal. The winger also officially announced his commitment to the Storm in June.
Terry and Collins will be competing at Hockey Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-17 Development Camp from July 21-27 in Calgary along with fellow Storm prospect and third round pick Spencer Smith.
Smith, the 47th overall pick, scored 33 points in 22 games this season for the OMHA’s Niagara North Stars.
Click here to see all Guelph Storm 2018 OHL Priority Selection Picks.
Over 20 days in July ontariohockeyleague.com will take a look at the future of all 20 OHL clubs. See more from the OHL 20 in 20 series.
