The excitement was palpable as the Guelph Storm made their moves during the OHL Priority Selection on Friday night. With their first-round pick, the Storm opted for Alex McLean, a dynamic center from the Barrie Jr. Colts. Despite never having visited Guelph before, McLean expressed his eagerness to join the team.
Hailing from Perth, near Brockville, McLean brings an impressive track record, boasting 30 goals and 47 assists in just 33 games last season. Standing at 5’9″ and 162 pounds, he is a promising addition to the Storm lineup.
McLean’s enthusiasm was evident as he shared, “I couldn’t be more excited. Guelph was my number one team.” His anticipation for joining the Storm was shared by friends and family gathered at his home in Perth during the draft.
Although McLean has yet to experience the city of Guelph firsthand, he appreciates the team’s reputation and success in developing NHL talent. “Actually, I’ve never been there,” McLean admitted, highlighting his focus on the team’s culture and achievements.
Represented by the same agency as Quinn Beauchesne, last year’s first-round pick for the Storm, McLean is no stranger to elite hockey circles. He looks forward to training with Beauchesne and is eager to contribute to the Storm’s success.
Storm general manager George Burnett praised McLean as an “elite offensive player” and a standout performer on one of Ontario’s top minor midget teams. Burnett noted McLean’s ability to excel at both ends of the rink and his relentless competitiveness.
In the second round, the Storm secured Carter Stevens, a 6’1″ center from Ottawa known for his scoring prowess and standout performances in crucial competitions like the OHL Cup. This strategic move aimed to add size, strength, and skill to the Storm’s forward lines.
The third round saw the Storm targeting defensive depth with the selection of Eric Frossard, a towering 6’5″ defenseman from the London Jr. Knights. Frossard’s rapid improvement and potential caught the attention of Storm scouts, although his commitment to the OHL remains uncertain.
Rounding out their early picks, the Storm drafted Colin Ellsworth, a promising 6’1″ goaltender from the York Simcoe Express. Burnett praised Ellsworth’s skills, labeling him as potentially the best goalie in the draft due to his late birth date and strong performances.
The drafted players are set to attend an orientation camp in Guelph, signaling the beginning of their journey with the Storm. With a total of 16 picks in the draft, the Storm’s strategic approach aims to bolster their roster and build for the future.
