Guelph Storm newcomer Cameron Supryka was no newcomer to Storm coach George Burnett.
He has known Supryka since he was barely old enough to skate, as his dad Jason served as an assistant to Burnett for eight seasons with the Belleville Bulls.
Burnett knew he was getting a good player and just as importantly a good person.
"I've known him since he was a toddler. He used to be in the rink with us," Burnett said of the now-20-year-old Supryka.
"First of all he's a terrific young guy. He's going to bring some leadership," Burnett said. "He's great in the gym, he's in terrific shape and there's a lot of positives."
The comfort level goes both ways.
"The communication is a little easier. I've known George since I was really young. I was around the rink since I was three or four. Knowing George makes me feel comfortable here and he's made the transition for me really easy so far," Supryka said.
Burnett said there's a good chance Daniil Chayka will be lost to the World Junior Championships for an extended stretch, which makes the addition of Supryka even more important.
"It was a tough night for him tonight. I think he'd admit that. It's always tough when you play your old team three or four days after a trade."
Supryka was acquired from the Sarnia Sting last Monday from the Sarnia Sting in exchange for a ninth round draft pick. On Saturday he was winning bragging rights over his old buddies, helping the Storm to a 4-3 overtime victory at the Sleeman Centre.
"It was definitely a little weird, seeing guys I was practicing with last week then going against them today," the overage blueliner said. "But it felt amazing. The last 15 seconds were all goosebumps, it was an unreal feeling, the boys were so fired up.
"I was playing with those guys last week, so it feels even sweeter to beat them in the first game."
There was no fooling around against his old buddies.
"It is a business and at the end of the day you have to be serious and treat the game like you're a pro."
Sasha Pastujov did the honours Saturday, sliding the puck past Sting netminder Ben Gaudreau in close at 2:45 of overtime for his second goal of the game on a play that began when Jake Karabela outsmarted a Sarnia defenceman to win the puck along the boards.
Guelph had tied the game 3-3 with eight seconds left in regulation on a goal by Matt Poitras.
The Storm trailed 1-0 after the first period and led 2-1 after two.
Owen Bennett made 27 saves in the Storm net for the win.
Guelph has a three-in-three weekend coming up, hosting London Friday, playing in Erie Saturday, then hosting Erie on Sunday.
