The Storm – Ranger rivalry starts in goal
By Josh Brown, Kitchener Record
It’s a tale of two goalies.
Garret Sparks grew up in Elmhurst, Illinois, listening to Chicago Blackhawks games on the radio after his mom tucked him into bed.
John Gibson was raised two states east in Pittsburgh and a fan of the hometown Penguins.
Two kids, the same age, with a dream of one day playing in the NHL. And they’ve crossed paths several times during their journey to reach that goal.
They were often compared as minor hockey upstarts. Then, they celebrated side by side as teammates when the U.S. won gold at the world junior championships last January.
Now, they’re foes as Sparks captains the crease for the Guelph Storm and Gibson stands tall for the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL’s western conference quarter-final beginning Friday at the Aud.
“We’ve never been in a position where we haven’t been competing,” said Sparks. “He’s accomplished a lot and I have too. We’re friendly but at the end of the day we’re still competitors.”
To date, Gibson is the one who has received the accolades. The 6-foot-3 soft spoken netminder remains the toast of the hockey world after backstopping the U.S. to gold at the world juniors and being named MVP, all-star and best goalie at the tournament.
Sparks got a gold medal too, but didn’t see a minute of action as one of the two backups on the American squad.
“Everyone had their role on that team and I found mine,” he said. “I did whatever I could to help.”
But things are changing for the 19-year-old. This past Tuesday, Sparks inked a three-year entry level contract with the Toronto Maples Leafs.
“I think he’s starting to get his due,” said Guelph Storm general manager Mike Kelly.
“I think people are starting to recognize that he isn’t just a good OHL No. 1 goaltender but that he’s probably among the best three or four out of the 20 teams (in the league).”
