Futures Watch: Guelph Storm’s 2026 Draft Class and New Faces
As the 2026-27 OHL season approaches, the Guelph Storm are preparing for a highly anticipated campaign that will culminate with the club hosting the 2027 Memorial Cup. We spoke with the organization about its 2026 draft class and the new faces fans should keep an eye on heading into the upcoming season.
2026 Draft Class Revisit
Player Spotlight: Declan McNally
Profile: 6’6”, 180lbs, left-shot defenceman
Hometown: La Salle, ON
Birthdate: Sept 28, 2010
Drafted: 1st Round, 7th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA): 59 GP, 7G, 26A, 33 PTS
Selected seventh overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Declan McNally put together a strong season on the blue line with the Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA program, registering 33 points (7-26–33) through 59 games in the regular season. The 6-foot-6 defenceman also added four points in five games at the 2026 OHL Cup and earned an invitation to Canada’s National U17 Development Camp.
“Looking ahead, our club’s goal was to improve our size, skill, and physicality through the OHL Priority Selection, and we believe defenseman Declan McNally addresses these needs,” – General Manager, George Burnett
Player Spotlight: Finley Butler
Profile: 6’6”, 216lbs, right-shot forward
Hometown: London, ON
Birthdate: Mar 22, 2010
Drafted: 2nd Round, 29th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (London Jr. Knights U16 AAA): 30 GP, 23G, 37A, 60 PTS
Selected 29th overall in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, Finley Butler put together an impressive 2025-26 campaign with the London Junior Knights U16 AAA squad. The 2010-born forward ranked second on his team in scoring with 60 points (23-37–60) in 30 regular-season games. Butler added four goals and three assists in six OHL Cup contests and also suited up in three junior hockey games with the GOHL’s Komoka Kings.
“Butler is a big, powerful forward who combines size, skill, and physicality, making him difficult to contain in the offensive zone. He has soft hands, a strong touch around the net, plays with an edge, and is a high-character kid with big upside.” – Wade Branch, Head Scout
Player Spotlight: Timothy Kazda
Profile: 6’1”, 189lbs, right-shot forward
Hometown: Ilava, SVK
Birthdate: Oct 4, 2008
Drafted: 1st Round, 4th Overall (2026 OHL Priority Selection)
2025-26 Stats (Chicago Steel): 59 GP, 22G, 19A, 41 PTS
Selected fourth overall in the 2026 CHL Import Draft, Timothy Kazda was the Storm’s lone selection in this year’s import draft. Last season, the Ilava, Slovakia native recorded 41 points (22-19–41) in 59 games with the USHL’s Chicago Steel and was named to the league’s All-Academic Team. Prior to joining the Steel, Kazda spent three seasons with Seacoast Performance Academy from the 14U to 16U levels, amassing 228 points (136-92–228) in 146 games.
“Timo Kazda – our first round selection in the CHL Import Draft – had an impressive U18 World Championships where he led the tournament in scoring and was awarded MVP honours. We expect Timo to complement our scoring, pace, and physicality as he enters his NHL draft year.”– General Manager, George Burnett
Other members of the 2026 class include:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2025-26 TEAM | DRAFTED |
| Kellen Paetsch | RD | Spencerport, NY | Dec 11, 2010 | Bishop Kearney Selects 15’s | 4th round, 68th overall |
| Joseph Fenwick | LW | Markham, ON | Jan 6, 2010 | Markham Majors U16 AAA | 5th round, 82nd overall |
| Ayden Dark | G | Ottawa, ON | Mar 5, 2010 | Hill Academy U16 | 6th round, 114th overall |
| Alexander Moore | LW | Northville, MI | Aug 2, 2010 | Detroit Little Caesars 15’s | 8th round, 148th overall |
| Chace Minard | LW | Owen Sound, ON | Jan 4, 2010 | Grey-Bruce Highlanders U16 AAA | 9th round, 168th overall |
| Colton Van Geffen | RD | Strathroy, ON | Feb 19, 2010 | Huron-Perth Lakers U16 AAA | 10th round, 188th overall |
| Jaxson Menary | C | Whitby, ON | Jun 1, 2010 | Vaughan Kings U16 AAA | 11th round, 208th overall |
| Jacob Tysick | C | Perth, ON | Feb 14, 2010 | Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA | 12th round, 228th overall |
| James Ware | LW | Greenwich, CT | Jun 3, 2010 | Mid Fairfield Jr. Rangers 15’s | 13th round, 248th overall |
| Landon Girardi | LW | Niagara Falls, ON | Mar 8, 2010 | Southern Tier Admirals U16 AAA | 14th round, 268th overall |
| Joshua Pagani | LW | Toronto, ON | May 1, 2010 | Vaughan Kings U16 AAA | 15th round, 288th overall |
| Landyn Quirk | G | Cambridge, ON | Dec 30, 2009 | Kitchener Jr. Rangers U18 AAA | 1st round, 7th overall (U18) |
| Maddyx Chaput | LW | Oakville, ON | Jun 16, 2009 | Huron-Perth Lakers U18 AAA | 2nd round, 27th overall |
| Francesco Porporino | LD | Woodbridge, ON | Jul 6, 2008 | Toronto Red Wings U18 AAA | 3rd round, 44th overall |
2026 New Faces:
*Note: Player additions are current as of publication. Team signings remain ongoing, and this section will be updated throughout the offseason as additional players are signed and trades are completed.
“Our club has made significant additions over the past number of months to complement our returning group of players for the 2026-27 season. Acquiring Ethan Czata, Ryan Roobroeck, Owen Griffin, and Adrien Bartovic provides us with depth up front in overall experience, skill, and leadership. Vlad Dravecky – a proven puck-moving defenseman who can play in all situations – is a welcome addition to our back end. Finally, bringing in goaltender Ben Hrebik gives our team a very capable and dependable tandem in goal.” – General Manager, George Burnett
Player Spotlight: Ethan Czata
Profile: 6’1”, 178lbs, left-shot centreman
Hometown: Brampton, ON
Birthdate: May 29, 2007
Acquired: June 2, 2026
2025-26 Stats (Niagara IceDogs): 63 GP, 25G, 28A, 53 PTS
Acquired in a major offseason trade, Ethan Czata arrives in Guelph following three seasons with the Niagara IceDogs. Originally selected fifth overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, the Brampton, Ont. native has recorded 125 points (53-72–125) in 193 career regular-season games. Czata served as Niagara’s captain during the 2025-26 season and was selected 56th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2025 NHL Draft. He also recently represented Canada at the World Junior Summer Showcase.
Player Spotlight: Ryan Roobroeck
Profile: 6’4”, 215lbs, left-shot winger
Hometown: London, ON
Birthdate: September 25, 2007
Acquired: June 19, 2026
2025-26 Stats (Niagara IceDogs): 49 GP, 30G, 28A, 58 PTS
Acquired in another major offseason trade, Ryan Roobroeck joins the Storm following three standout seasons with Niagara. Originally selected second overall by the IceDogs in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, the London, Ont. native recorded 196 points (99-97–196) in 176 career regular-season games, averaging better than a point per game in each of his three OHL seasons. His 99 career goals are the most among all 2007-born OHL players over the past three seasons. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound forward was selected 35th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Player Spotlight: Owen Griffin
Profile: 5’11”, 165lbs, right-shot centreman
Hometown: Markham, ON
Birthdate: April 8, 2007
Acquired: June 10, 2026
2025-26 Stats (Niagara IceDogs): 66 GP, 25G, 42A, 67 PTS
Acquired in an offseason trade, Owen Griffin joins the Storm following three seasons with the Oshawa Generals. Originally selected sixth overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect recorded 124 points (48-76–124) in 189 regular-season games with the Generals. Griffin was also a key contributor during Oshawa’s back-to-back appearances in the OHL Championship Series, producing 34 points in 42 playoff games, including 17 goals. He led all OHL players with 17 goals during the 2025 postseason. Selected by Columbus in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL Draft, Griffin also represented Canada at the 2023 U17 World Hockey Challenge, winning gold alongside several current Storm players.
Player Spotlight: Adrien Bartovic
Profile: 6’0”, 185lbs, left-shot forward
Hometown: Pardubice, CZE
Birthdate: Mar 9, 2007
Signed: July 23, 2026
2025-26 Stats (Bili Tygri Liberec U20): 29 GP, 20G, 25A, 45 PTS
Originally selected in the first round (42nd overall) by the Brantford Bulldogs in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Adrien Bartovic had his OHL rights acquired by the Storm earlier this offseason. Last season, the Pardubice, Czechia native recorded 45 points (20-25–45) in 29 games with Bili Tygri Liberec U20, finishing second on the team in scoring. The 2007-born forward also suited up in 17 games in Slovakia’s top professional league, recording three goals and an assist.
Player Spotlight: Vladimir Dravecky
Profile: 6’0”, 189lbs, right-shot defenceman
Hometown: Trinec, CZE
Birthdate: Dec 19, 2007
Signed: June 9, 2026
2025-26 Stats (Brantford Bulldogs): 58 GP, 9G, 19A, 28 PTS
Acquired in an offseason trade, Vladimir Dravecky joins the Storm after establishing himself as one of the OHL’s top rookie defencemen with the Brantford Bulldogs. Selected 50th overall by Brantford in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, the Trinec, Czechia native recorded 28 points (9-19–28) and a plus-24 rating in 58 regular-season games. He added three assists in 11 playoff contests as the Bulldogs advanced to the Eastern Conference Championship Series. Dravecky also represented Czechia at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, helping his country earn silver, before being selected 141st overall by the New York Islanders in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Player Spotlight: Ben Hrebik
Profile: 6’3”, 204lbs, goaltender
Hometown: Milton, ON
Birthdate: April 4, 2006
Acquired: Aug 4, 2026
2025-26 Stats (Barrie Colts): 43 GP, 2.81 GAA, .920 SV%
Acquired in one of the first trades following the reopening of the OHL trade window, Ben Hrebik joins the Storm after establishing himself as one of the league’s top netminders over the past two seasons. The Milton, Ont. native posted a .920 save percentage in each of his past two regular seasons and has compiled 47 victories across 77 career appearances. Last season, Hrebik helped backstop Barrie to the OHL Championship Series, posting a 12-6-2 playoff record with a 2.66 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in 20 postseason appearances. Originally selected by Barrie in the ninth round (173rd overall) of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Hrebik elected to continue his junior career in the OHL after deciding not to attend his committed NCAA program.
Additional new faces include:
| PLAYER | POSITION | HOMETOWN | DOB | 2025-26 TEAM | DRAFTED/ACQUIRED |
| Charlie Sullivan | LD | Toronto, ON | Mar 21, 2009 | St. Andrew’s College | 3rd round, 47th overall (2025) |
| Hayden Martin | RD | Barrie, ON | Feb 27, 2009 | Collingwood Blues + Guelph (2 GP) | 4th round, 65th overall (2025) |
| Robert Matson | C | Binghamton, NY | Mar 10, 2009 | Bishop Kearney Selects 16U AAA + Guelph (1 GP) | 15th round, 285th overall (2025) |
With the 2027 Memorial Cup on the horizon, the Storm have added a significant mix of size, skill, experience and leadership to complement their returning group. Between an intriguing 2026 draft class and several established OHL veterans joining the roster, there will be plenty of new faces to watch in Guelph as the club prepares for training camp and a highly anticipated season.
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