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Storm Skills and Development Coach Corey Locke Receives 2026 OMHA Excellence in Development Award by the Ontario Hockey League

Lisa Della Mattia — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:32:17 +0000

Former Ottawa 67's star, current Guelph Storm skills and development coach, and one of the most accomplished players in Ontario Hockey League history, Corey Locke, has been recognized with the 2026 OMHA Excellence in Development Award. Currently serving as Executive Director of the Burlington Eagles Elite program and as a development coach with the Guelph Storm, Locke has become a respected leader in player development, guiding young athletes on and off the ice while drawing on a hockey career that spanned more than two decades. "I've been working with Corey for over five years now, and I don't think we could have brought a better guy into the organization to run and lead our development," said Burlington Eagles Director of Hockey Justin Howard. "I think it's what makes Corey the way he is. It's that connection with each individual and each individual's family. They put trust in him to bring them along, and as an organization, we put the trust in him to help those players develop." One of the most dominant offensive players the OHL has ever seen, Locke spent three seasons with the Ottawa 67's from 2001-04. During the 2002-03 campaign, he produced an astounding 151 points (63-88-151) in just 66 regular-season games. Over 186 career regular-season contests, he amassed 312 points (132-180-312), cementing his place among the league's all-time greats. His remarkable junior career earned him numerous accolades, including two Eddie Powers Memorial Trophies as the OHL's leading scorer, two Red Tilson Trophies as OHL Most Outstanding Player, two OHL goal-scoring titles, an OHL assists title, CHL Top Scorer honours and CHL Player of the Year recognition. Following his junior career, Locke was selected 113th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2003 NHL Draft. He appeared in nine NHL games, recording one assist, before establishing himself as one of the premier players in the American Hockey League. Locke captured the Calder Cup twice during his professional career, first with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2007 and later with the Binghamton Senators in 2011. He remains the Bulldogs' franchise leader in career goals, assists and points. His finest professional season came in 2010-11 when he led the AHL with 86 points (21-65-86) while helping Binghamton capture the Calder Cup championship. Locke's outstanding campaign earned him both the Les Cunningham Award as league MVP and the John B. Sollenberger Trophy as the AHL's leading scorer. After concluding his playing career in Europe, Locke transitioned into coaching and player development, where he has continued to make a lasting impact. "When you see Corey at the rink, the players just kind of swarm around him, and he is so approachable," said Burlington Eagles Vice President Jean Longfield. "He's joking with them and having fun with them. He really relates to them, and they sense that. He's really got a magical touch." The OMHA Excellence in Development Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to fostering growth and development in the game, making Locke a more-than-fitting recipient.

2026-2027 Regular Season Schedule Released

Lisa Della Mattia — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:36:31 +0000

In conjunction with the Ontario Hockey League, the Guelph Storm released the 2026-2027 regular season schedule today. As previously released, the Storm will open their 35th season in the Royal City on Friday, September 18th at 7:07pm at the Sleeman Centre against the Erie Otters. Most of the 34 home games will be played on the weekend, with 20 Friday night games featuring the 7:07pm start time, 3 Saturday games, and 6 Sunday games. The Storm’s sole Monday game will be a matinee on February 15th for the annual Family Day game, and 3 Wednesday night games with a 6:37pm start time. The 2026 holiday season is highlighted by a home date with the Kitchener Rangers on Saturday, December 19th at 2:07pm. The Royal Jockstraps get things started at the Sleeman Centre in 2027 with games on Friday, January 1st, against the Peterborough Petes, followed by a matinee game on Sunday, January 3rd, against the Sarnia Sting. The Highway 7 rivalry with the Kitchener Rangers will be in full swing at the Sleeman Centre, with three of the four home match-ups in the first half of the season and one in the second half. The reigning Ontario Hockey League and Memorial Cup Champions roll into the Royal City on Sunday, October 4th at 2:07pm. Season Tickets for the upcoming season are on sale now, including regular lower bowl, TD Zone 200 Level, and the Reid’s Heritage Breakaway Club on the 100 level behind the benches. Single-game tickets for the Guelph Storm’s 2026-2027 season will be available starting on Wednesday, August 5th!Tickets can be purchased here, by calling 519-837-9690, or in person at the Guelph Storm Box Office located at 50 Woolwich Street, Unit B (on the lower level of the Sleeman Centre in the hallway between Gate #1 and the Old Quebec Street Mall). Click here to download a 2026-2027 Printable Season Schedule.

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Meet the newest members of the Guelph Storm by Tony Saxon

Lisa Della Mattia — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:47:36 +0000

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."

Click here to read more.

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2026 OHL Priority Selection Recap

Lisa Della Mattia — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 23:35:34 +0000

The Guelph Storm completed the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, adding 13 prospects in total, including 9 forwards, 3 defencemen, and 1 goaltender. For full draft coverage and a complete list of the Storm’s 2026 OHL Priority Selection Draft Class, click here. "We're very excited about how the draft unfolded," said Head Scout Wade Branch, "We were able to address several organizational needs while targeting players who possess size, skill, speed, toughness, and strong character. Overall, we're extremely pleased with the group we drafted and look forward to watching their development within our organization." Guelph Storm Draft Class 2026

Round	Pick	Name	Position	Last Team
1	7	Declan McNally	LD	Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA
2	29	Finley Butler	RW	London Jr. Knights U16 AAA
4	68	Kellen Paetsch	RD	Bishop Kearney Selects U16 AAA
5	82	Joseph Fenwick	LW	Markham Majors U16 AAA
6	114	Ayden Dark	G	Hill Academcy U16
8	148	Alexander Moore	LW	Detroit Little Caesars 15's
9	168	Chance Minard	LW	Grey-Bruce Highlanders U16 AAA
10	188	Colton Van Geffen	RD	Huron-Perth Lakers U16 AAA
11	208	Jaxson Menary	C	Vaughn Kings U16 AAA
12	228	Jacob Tysick	C	Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA
13	248	James Ware	LW	Mid Fairfield Titans U16 AAA
14	268	Landon Girardi	LW	Southern Tier Admirals U16 AAA
15	288	Joshua Pagani	LW	Vaughn Kings U16 AAA

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OHL Completes 2026 Priority Selection Presented by Real Canadian Superstore by the Ontario Hockey League

Lisa Della Mattia — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 22:19:51 +0000

KINGSTON - The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today concluded the 2026 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore for North American players born predominantly in 2010. The annual Priority Selection returned to an in-person format for the first time since the year 2000, with Slush Puppie Place in Kingston providing the backdrop for one of the biggest days on the OHL calendar. The Priority Selection was held over two days, with Round 1 on Friday night before Rounds 2-15 were carried-out on Saturday. The event was produced and broadcast by YourTV, airing on networks across Ontario as well as online on FloHockey and the OHL's social media channels. A total of 301 players were selected in the 15-round process from 88 different programs. The selected players included 171 forwards, 95 defencemen, and 35 goaltenders. A total of 289 of the players chosen were 2010-born athletes, while eight were born in 2009 and four were born in 2008. The Oshawa Generals made the first overall pick after winning the 2026 OHL Priority Selection Draft Lottery, selecting 2010-born forward Kane Cloutier of the Vaughan Kings to open the proceedings. "Congratulations to the 301 players selected in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection," said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. "I want to thank the City of Kingston, Tourism Kingston, and the Kingston Frontenacs for being such tremendous hosts. Kingston welcomed our clubs, staff, scouts, fans, partners and our prospects with first-class hospitality and a genuine passion for the game, and that spirit was felt throughout the event. Bringing the entire OHL community together to celebrate the next generation of talented young players is one of the most rewarding days on our calendar, and the people of Kingston helped make it a memorable one. We are grateful for their partnership and making this return to an in-person format so tremendously successful." The Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) led the way with 84 selections. The Vaughan Kings and Toronto Marlboros topped the event list with 12 players each, followed by the Toronto Jr. Canadiens and Don Mills Flyers with 10 apiece, while the Mississauga Senators and Markham Majors each had eight. The Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) followed with 57 selections, led by the Quinte Red Devils with seven, with the Credit River Capitals, Niagara North Stars, and York-Simcoe Express each adding six. The Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario (ALLIANCE) had 32 players selected, led by the London Jr. Knights with 10, followed by the Huron-Perth Lakers with eight and the Brantford 99ers with six. Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) saw 19 players chosen, led by the Eastern Ontario Wild with six and the Ottawa Valley Titans with five. The Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) had four players selected, led by the Sudbury Wolves with three. An additional 21 players were selected from Canadian prep and academy programs, led by Upper Canada College with nine and Hill Academy with eight, while two prospects were chosen from Ontario-based junior teams. One player spent last season with a Canadian out-of-province AAA program. A total of 81 players were chosen from American-based teams, equalling last year's event record. Detroit Little Caesars led the way with 11 selections. Detroit HoneyBaked followed with seven, while Shattuck-St. Mary's Prep had seven and the Woodbridge Wolfpack had six. Special thanks goes out to Rinknet for their continued technical support in facilitating the OHL Priority Selection through their software, in addition to Powerplay Event Production Professionals for their expertise in making this year's return to an in-venue production such a big success.

Storm select Joshua Pagani 288th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection

Lisa Della Mattia — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 21:21:37 +0000

The Guelph Storm are proud to select James Ware with the 248th overall pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection. The 6'0 winger appeared in 33 games for the Vaughn Kings U16 AAA team registering

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Storm select Landon Giradri 268th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection

Lisa Della Mattia — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 20:13:51 +0000

The Guelph Storm are proud to select Landon Girardi with the 268th overall pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection. The 5'8 winger of the Southern Tier Admirals U16 AAA dressed in 9 games during the 2025/2026 season, registering 6 points (3 goals, 3 assists).

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Storm select James Ware 248th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection

Lisa Della Mattia — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 19:41:34 +0000

The Guelph Storm are proud to select James Ware with the 248th overall pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection. The 6'1 171lbs winger of the Mid Fairfield Jr. Rangers dressed in 15 games during the 2025/2026 season.

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Storm select Jacob Tysick 228th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection

Lisa Della Mattia — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 19:33:55 +0000

The Guelph Storm are proud to select Jacod Tysick with the 228th overall pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection. The 5'8 centreman put up 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) through 31 games in the 2025/2026 for the Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA program.

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Storm select Jaxson Menary 208th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection

Lisa Della Mattia — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 19:28:24 +0000

The Guelph Storm are proud to select Jaxson Menary with the 208th overall pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection. The 5'11 right-shot centreman suited up for the Vaughn Kings U16 AAA during the 2025/2026 season, where he appeared in 33 games, registering 6 goals and 16 assists for 22 points.

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