Meet the newest members of the Guelph Storm by Tony Saxon
The Guelph Storm selected 13 players in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection draft Friday and Saturday – nine forwards, three defencemen and one goaltender.
Leading the way was first round pick Declan McNally, a six-foot-six left shot defencemen who hails from LaSalle but played in Don Mills last season.
A couple of picks have OHL connections, with ninth rounder Chace Minard being the son of OHL standout and longtime minor pro Chris Minard, and 14th round pick Landon Girardi the son of former Storm and NHL defenceman Dan Girardi.
Fourth round pick Kellen Paetsch is the son of former NHLer Nathan Paetsch and is committed to the USNTDP program. Would have been a first round pick had he committed to the OHL.
Here’s a look at the Storm picks, along with ranking and comment from Neutral Zonescouting service, who rank all eligible players for the draft.
Round 1 (7th overall): Declan McNally, LD, Don Mills Flyers, 6’6″, 180 lbs
GP: 29 G: 3 A: 15 PIM: 70
Neutral Zone ranking: 23 OHL Consensus Ranking: 11
“Declan McNally is a large-framed, versatile player who combines raw physical tools with an intelligent, reliable approach to the game. As a defenceman, he displays sound positioning, strong gap control, and defensive awareness, consistently limiting scoring opportunities and effectively using his size to clear the front of the net and battle along the walls. Offensively, he contributes by quarterbacking the power play, moving the puck well laterally, and demonstrating the confidence to handle the puck under pressure. He possesses a powerful shot and shows flashes of offensive upside, such as jumping into the high slot to capitalize on rebounds. Beyond his defensive duties, he is a physical presence who uses his strength and reach to disrupt opponents, applying pressure to force turnovers and effectively utilizing reverse checks to create space. With continued refinement of his footwork and puck skills, he has the potential to unlock a significant two-way game.”
Round 2 (29th overall): Finley Butler, F, London Jr. Knights, 6’6″, 216 lbs
GP: 30 G: 23 A: 37 PIM: 62
Neutral Zone ranking: 29 OHL Consensus Ranking: 26
“Finley Butler is a big-framed, skilled forward who possesses a rare blend of power and finesse. At nearly 6’5″ and 200 lbs, he effectively utilizes his size and reach to shield the puck, create time, and operate in tight spaces with soft, patient hands. His offensive toolkit includes a bullet-like wrist shot that he can unleash under pressure, along with strong spatial awareness that allows him to find high-danger scoring lanes in the slot. While he excels at winning physical battles along the walls and around the net, he is also a capable playmaker who can elevate passes over sticks and through defenders. To reach his full potential, he will need to address some inconsistencies in his game, such as improving his first-step quickness, refining his skating posture, and managing his energy levels. His ability to dominate when playing a hard and heavy game makes him an intriguing prospect.”
Round 4 (68 overall): Kellen Paetsch, RD, Bishop Kearney Selects, 6’3″, 173 lbs
GP: 51 G: 8 A: 39 PIM: –
Neutral Zone ranking: 43 OHL Consensus Ranking: –
“Kellen Paetsch is a tall, strong, and athletic right-shot defenceman who has shown significant development, trending upward as he gains experience. He is primarily recognized for his steady, defensively reliable game, characterized by strong positioning, effective gap control, and the intelligent use of his long reach to disrupt passing lanes and steer attackers into low-danger areas. Paetsch handles rushes and odd-man situations with poise and is particularly effective at net-front battles, where he uses his strength to contain opponents and clear the crease.
“With the puck, Paetsch has evolved into a more composed and efficient playmaker. He retrieves pucks cleanly, makes simple, accurate decisions under pressure, and has developed a hard, quick release on his shot from the point. While not primarily an offensive defenceman, he shows a willingness to join the rush and jump into open lanes to create scoring opportunities. Although he remains a work in progress, with occasional inconsistencies in positioning and risk management, his athleticism, defensive awareness, and physical tools mark him as an intriguing, reliable prospect with high long-term potential.”
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