Battle for spot on ‘D’
By Paul Osborne, Guelph Tribune
With defenceman Julian Ciocco leaving the Guelph Storm for the second straight year, about the only battle left is for the spot as the seventh defenceman and possibly the twelfth forward..
On the surface it seems like it is 6’5”, 225lb David Searle (pictured) against 5’9”, 165lb Mac Nichol. Searle is in his third year but has hardly played because of surgeries on both shoulders. Nichol got into a couple of games with the Storm last year. Searle has size and strength; Nichol quickness and an offensive flare.
“I’ve been very impressed with Searle so far” said coach and general manager Jason Brooks. “He is starting to fill out his big body and that is a huge plus for him. He is using his size and moving the puck very well, keeping things simple and using his long reach to his benefit.”
Nichol too has impressed at times.
“He’s a real good puck mover and is quick to join the rush” said Brooks, “but obviously isn’t as big.”
“I want (to make the team) more than ever right now” admitted Searle after the Storm’s 3-3 tie with Niagara on Sunday. “I’ve spent 12 months over the last two years rebuilding my shoulders so now that I have the chance, I want it so badly.”
It is hard not to pull for the well-spoken young man. I think it is human nature to hope for the guy who keeps coming back after being repeatedly knocked down.
The good news is that in hockey, when it comes down to a close decision between two players, size can be the determining factor so Searle probably has the inside track at this point. But Brooks said it is not just about Nichol and Searle.
“We’re still making decisions on all of our defencemen” said Brooks. “My goal has been to have seven defencemen and if Searle and Nichol continue to play well we will look at all options.”
That could mean that one of the veteran defencemen could be on the move if they don’t perform up to par.
Up front the play of third round pick Brock McGinn has really impressed the Storm. Late in the summer the plan was to have him play junior B but he has performed above expectations.
“I knew he was a gritty, hard-nosed player” said Brooks, “but I didn’t know he was as smart with the puck as he is.”
McGinn has earned a longer stay with the Storm and will likely play in all the exhibition games.
From the Land of Oz….Carter Sandlak had two goals for the Storm in their tie with Niagara. The Storm played that game without veterans Michael Latta, Peter Holland, Taylor Beck, Daniel Maggio and Brandon Foote. Latta and Beck scored twice each in the Storm’s 6-1 win in Barrie last Thursday night…Russian import Andrei Pedan got into his first fight against the IceDogs and earned an impressive decision over veteran Matt Baldassarra. The Storm are home for exhibition games Friday night against Barrie and Sunday afternoon against Brampton. Friday is “Real Men Wear Pink” night in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundations CIBC Run for the Cure. Tickets are just $10 and everyone is encouraged to wear pink to the game.
