Colts acquire first-round pick McNally as Storm add six draft picks
The Barrie Colts have acquired the rights to defenceman Declan McNally from the Guelph Storm in exchange for six future OHL Priority Selection picks.
Guelph receives Sarnia’s second-round pick in 2028, Barrie’s second-round pick in 2030, Brantford’s third-round pick in 2028, Barrie’s third-round pick in 2030, Barrie’s fourth-round pick in 2029 and Sault Ste. Marie’s fifth-round pick in 2027.
As part of the completion of the transaction, the Storm will also receive a compensatory first-round selection, eighth overall, in the 2027 OHL Priority Selection.
McNally was selected seventh overall by Guelph in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection following a strong season with the Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA program. The 6-foot-5, 184-pound defenceman from LaSalle, ON recorded seven goals, 26 assists and 33 points in 59 games before adding four points in five games at the 2026 OHL Cup.
The 16-year-old was also among 31 OHL prospects invited to Canada’s national under-17 development camp this summer.
McNally’s move to Barrie gives the Colts a pair of first-round defencemen from the 2026 OHL Priority Selection. Barrie selected hometown product Lucas Matheson 17th overall after the 6-foot defenceman captained the Barrie Colts U16 AAA program and recorded 18 goals, 22 assists and 40 points in 34 regular-season games.
McNally and Matheson now give the Colts two highly regarded 2009-born defencemen as the organization continues to assemble its young core for the future.
For Guelph, the transaction adds six future selections to the club’s draft inventory as the Storm prepare to host the 2027 Memorial Cup. The additional compensatory first-round selection will give Guelph another early pick in next year’s draft.
The Storm announced earlier this week that McNally would not be reporting to training camp after his representatives had previously expressed concerns regarding available opportunity on a veteran Guelph blueline.
“It’s our responsibility to take the best available player at the 7th overall pick on draft day,” Storm General Manager George Burnett said Monday. “Declan is a talented young hockey player who is ready and capable of playing in the Ontario Hockey League.”
Wednesday’s trade brings that process to a conclusion, with McNally joining the Colts and the Storm adding a collection of future draft assets as they enter their Memorial Cup host season.
