BRAMPTON – With the roster trimmed to near-opening night status, it's time for the 2024-25 version of the Guelph Storm to figure out who they are as a team.
Guelph skated to a 6-4 win Sunday afternoon in the first of four pre-season games. Guelph trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes before rallying.
"We want to get an identity, and that's what we're going to be working towards for these next three weeks," said new head coach Cory Stillman following Sunday's game at the CAA Centre.
"How we play. How we compete. Guys getting into their roles, but roles can change from week to week. We might see some young guys see some power play and some penalty kill, and older guys the same thing.
"I'm a big believer in a clean slate this year. You're coming in and you're going to earn your ice time and sometimes that starts in practice."
Stillman said Sunday's game might not be the best example of what his team's identity is.
"We scored six goals tonight but I don't want to be giving up 35-40 shots a game and trying to play offence against offence. As long as we manage the puck, play responsibly in our own end and score three or four goals a game, we'll be successful in the standings."
Parker Snelgrove had a pair of goals Sunday, singles went to Rylan Singh, Vilmer Alriksson, Leo Serlin and Jake Karabela. Jett Luchanko and Cam Allen each had two assists. Rookies Collin Ellsworth and Zack Jovanovski split the goaltending duties as Guelph outshot Brampton 40-33.
The Storm had eight rookies in the lineup, with veterans Max Namestniov, Brayden Gillespie, Ryan McGuire and Quinn Beauchesne all sitting this one out.
"You could tell it was the first game of the pre-season for us. Guys were working hard and we got tired at the end," Stillman said. "But it's a great day for our guys wearing that Guelph Storm jersey for the first time and playing an exhibition game. I thought our young guys played really well."
Asked who caught his eye, he mentioned first round pick Alex McLean and 2023 13th round pick Jimmy Sutherland, who was signed last week.
"Alex McLean had a very good camp and Jimmy Sutherland had a very good camp and deserves to be here. Those are the two guys tonight that stood out to me," Stillman said.
Guelph's training camp roster is down to 25 players, or at least it will be when Russian import Daniil Skvortsov arrives Sept. 9 after getting his paperwork cleared up.
There are 14 forwards (which includes four overagers, one more than can be dressed), eight defencemen and three goaltenders.
Earlier this week storm signed 7th round 2024 pick Dawson Morris, a defenceman.
Two players, U18 Draft pick Sam Mudie and 2023 pick Nathan McHattie, have been assigned to the Ayr Centennials. One of the three goaltenders is also likely headed there at some point.
Guelph will play a pair of home exhibition games Friday and Saturday against Peterborough and Oshawa. The exhibition season winds up on the road Sept. 21 and the regular season opens Sept. 27 at home against Owen Sound.
