It's a big year for Leo Serlin and he knows it.
Undrafted after a 10-goal rookie season a year ago, The Toronto native is looking to have a bigger role, a more important role and bigger production on this year's young Guelph Storm squad.
"Years go by pretty quick and you want to get on it as fast as you can and start producing as fast as you can," Serlin said. "I'm just trying to be a reliable guy."
He said he came into this year's camp a lot more confident.
"One hundred per cent. A lot of good older guys last year kind of taught me the way and we've got a lot of good older guys this year as well. Hopefully we can keep that going."
He showed signs of being a potential consistent contributor on offence in his first year with the Storm, but like most rookies struggled with consistency.
Serlin scored twice Friday night and had Guelph's lone goal in the shootout as they fell 4-3 to the Peterborough Petes at the Sleeman Centre to even their pre-season record at 1-1.
Peterborough outscored Guelph 2-1 in the shootout.
Serlin, who said he sets goals for himself all the time, also scored in Guelph's first pre-season game against Brampton last Sunday.
"The end goal is obviously to play in the NHL, but the short term goal is pretty important too and I'm focused on my next shot at a draft and getting invited to camps and stuff like that. We have some good guys here and hopefully we can surprise some people and win some games."
Serlin had 22 goals in 45 games with the Toronto Marlies the season Guelph selected him in the fifth round of the OHL draft. He had 10 goals in 49 games the next year playing tier II hockey in Haliburton.
Max Namestnikov had Guelph's other goal in regulation Friday. Zach Jovanovski and Colin Ellsworth split the goaltending chores.
Serlin connected in the shootout, Alex McLean and Namestnikov were stopped by Petes netminder Liam Sztuska.
The Storm sat out a good chunk of regulars, including Jett Luchanko, Jake Karabela, Cam Allen and Brayden Gillespie.
Russian import Daniil Skvortsov is expected to arrive in Guelph on Monday after clearing up visa paperwork.
Guelph hosts the Oshawa Generals Saturday night then don't play again until Sept. 21 when they wrap up the pre-season in Peterborough.
Regular season starts Sept. 27 at home against Owen Sound.
