OHL training camps are just around the corner and every day there’s more news regarding teams adding or subtracting players from their rosters. Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News OHL site to stay updated on all news and training camp roster announcements.
During our training camp series on the site, we will analyze the Import players, overage players (2004-born), first-year draft-eligible players to keep an eye on, and each team’s representation from their 2024 draft class, as well as any other storylines.
Today we are looking at the Guelph Storm’s training camp roster. The PDF link to their roster can be found here.
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The Storm finished sixth in the Western Conference last season with a 33-28-6-1 record and were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Soo Greyhounds.
Their organization did see their number one center Jett Luchanko get drafted 13th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The young man already has received some comparisons to Flyers legend Claude Giroux.
Luchanko is included on Guelph’s training camp roster, but it’s possible that he is not at the camp as he could be training in Philadelphia and preparing for his first professional training camp in September.
However, let’s break down the rest of Guelph’s training camp roster.
Overage Players
Guelph has three forwards and one defenseman entering their final year of OHL eligibility — Jake Karabela, Ryan McGuire, Max Namestnikov, and Thomas Budnick.
Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
Karabela was a fifth-round draft pick in 2022 by the Washington Capitals but was unsigned by the team. He has spent his entire career in Guelph since being drafted 32nd overall by them in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Jake is also from Guelph so don’t expect him to go anywhere and play out his last year in his hometown.
McGuire has also spent his entire career in Guelph. He’s played 165 games for the organization as a gritty, physical, and energetic depth forward.
Namestnikov was drafted third overall in 2020 by the Sarnia Sting but has spent the last season-and-a-half in Guelph. The Storm need more offense if they want to improve and Max’s skill level should secure him a spot on the team.
Last but not least is Budnick, who was acquired by the team from the Kingston Frontenacs during last season. Since the league rule is teams can only dress three overage players for a game, Budnick and McGuire most likely will be subbing in and out of games throughout the season.
Import Players
Guelph’s two Import players are forward Vilmer Alriksson and defenseman Daniil Skvortsov.
Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
The towering 6-foot-6 Swedish forward Alriksson enters his second year in the OHL after he put up 17 goals and 33 points in 67 games with the Storm in 2023-24. He’ll need to show progression in his offensive production to earn himself an entry-level contract from the Vancouver Canucks.
Skvortsov was drafted 27th overall by the team in the 2024 CHL Import Draft and signed with them in July. He’ll bring much-needed depth to Guelph’s blueline.
Draft-Eligible Players
Guelph has four first-year draft-eligible players to keep an eye on this season — Quinn Beauchesne, Wil McFadden, Parker Snelgrove, and Hunter McKenzie.
Beauchesne will have numerous NHL scouts watching him every single game. He recently won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup with Canada. Right now, he should be looked at as a B-rated prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft.
Quinn fulfilled a similar role to Oshawa Generals defenseman and Maple Leafs first-rounder Ben Danford at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He played a crucial part in their success on the penalty kill and demonstrated exceptional shot-blocking skills.
Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
McFadden is an undersized, highly-skilled playmaker who put up 12 points in 60 games in his rookie season with the Storm. Watch out for him to potentially seize a top-six role within the team’s F-corps.
Snelgrove was drafted one spot before McFadden in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection and collected eight points in 50 games last year. He plays a 200-foot game down the middle of the ice but needs to develop a more assertive and quick offensive game.
McKenzie has a late December 2006 birthday and enters his third season in the league with Guelph. He’s been used sparingly in a depth role, playing 94 career games and registering 16 points.
Goaltending Battle
Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
Guelph’s crease belongs to Brayden Gillespie, but the backup role is up for grabs, and the four other netminders at training camp — Zachary Jovanovski, Kayden Newton, Colin Ellsworth, and Ethan Madden — need to be prepared to seize that opportunity.
2024 OHL Draft Class
Guelph Storm’s first-round, 9th overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Alex McLean will have all eyes on him to see if he’s ready to break into the league and become an impact player.
Here’s the rest of the class in attendance:
C, Carter Stevens – 2nd round, 35th overall
G, Collin Ellsworth – 3rd round, 59th overall
C, Logan Rivard – 5th round, 91st overall
LHD, Dawson Morris – 7th round, 131st overall
C, Micah Della Croce – 7th round, 136th overall (his brother Luke is also attending training camp)
C, Reggie Taylor – 8th round, 151st overall
C, Alex Carscadden – 9th round, 177th overall
C, Aiden Atkinson – 11th round, 211th overall
C, Matthew Miller – 12th round, 224th overall
RW, Julian Walters – 14th round, 271st overall
C, Callan Newton – 15th round, 290th overall
G, Ethan Madden – 15th round, 291st overall
6-foot-4 defenseman Eric Frossard was Guelph’s third pick in the draft but noticeably isn’t listed on their training camp roster. There have been no reports regarding him pursuing a different development path outside the OHL.
Guelph’s two selections from the U18 OHL Priority Selection — Samuel Mudie and Zach Venance — are attending.
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