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Guelph Storm
Guelph Storm
from Wikipedia

Guelph Storm face off on home ice. February 15th, 2006

Key Information

The Guelph Storm are a major junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. They have played in the OHL since the 1991–92 season. The team plays home games at the Sleeman Centre.

History

[edit]

The franchise started as the Toronto Marlboros, who moved to Hamilton to become the Dukes of Hamilton in 1989. Following the 1990–91 season, the franchise was relocated to Guelph and a contest was held to name the team. Tom Douglas submitted the winning entry "Storm" and the team was renamed the Guelph Storm.[2]

The first year in Guelph was dismal, but the building process for Guelph was soon successful. The Storm finished first place in the 1994–95 season. General Manager Mike Kelly was voted the OHL Executive of the Year and Craig Hartsburg voted the Coach of the Year for the Canadian Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey League. Draft picks from the early years in Guelph include Jeff O'Neill and Todd Bertuzzi.

Guelph reached the OHL finals in 1995 and 1996. The team qualified for the 1996 Memorial Cup by playing against the Memorial Cup host Peterborough Petes in the OHL final.

The Storm won their first J. Ross Robertson Cup in 1998. This success continued into the Memorial Cup Tournament as the Storm rallied to the Championship Game where they lost to the Portland Winter Hawks in overtime in the final game.

In the year 2000, the team moved from the historic but aging Guelph Memorial Gardens into the Guelph Sports and Entertainment Centre (since renamed the Sleeman Centre). The Storm were selected to host the 2002 Memorial Cup tournament. It marked the team's third appearance in the national junior championship, their first as host team.

Two years later, the Storm won their second OHL Championship, and returned to the 2004 Memorial Cup hosted in Kelowna, British Columbia.

In the 2008 NHL entry draft, defenceman Drew Doughty was selected 2nd overall by the Los Angeles Kings, the highest ever selection of a Guelph Storm player.

In 2014, the Storm captured their third OHL Championship, and subsequently advanced to the 2014 Memorial Cup final, hosted in London, Ontario. The Edmonton Oil Kings won Cup championship on 25 May 2014 with a 6-3 win over the Storm.[3]

In late April 2019, the team captured the Wayne Gretzky Trophy as 2019 OHL Western Conference Champions again winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup.[4] On 12 May 2019, in the sixth game of the finals, the Storm defeated the Ottawa 67's to win the OHL championship and were again headed to the Memorial Cup, their sixth appearance, to start on 17 May in Halifax.[5] Nick Suzuki (a Montreal Canadiens prospect) earned the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as OHL Playoff MVP. He was the third Storm player in the team's history to win this award.[6]

In 2021, the team agreed to stop using the song Cotton Eye Joe by the group Rednex during games after consultation with local groups alleging the song has racist origins.[7]

Championships

[edit]

The Guelph Storm have appeared in the Memorial Cup tournament six times, won the J. Ross Robertson Cup four times, won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy four times, and have won five division titles.

Memorial Cup

J. Ross Robertson Cup

Wayne Gretzky Trophy

  • 2003–04, Western Conference Champions
  • 2013–14, Western Conference Champions
  • 2018–19, Western Conference Champions

Hamilton Spectator Trophy

  • 1994–95 47 W, 14 L, 5 T, 99 points
  • 1995–96 45 W, 16 L, 5 T, 95 points
  • 1997–98 42 W, 17 L, 6 T, 1 OTL, 91 points
  • 2013–14 52 W, 12 L, 4 OTL, 108 points

Division Trophies

  • 1994–95 Emms Trophy, Central Division
  • 1995–96 Emms Trophy, Central Division
  • 1997–98 Emms Trophy, Central Division
  • 1998–99 Holody Trophy, Midwest Division
  • 2013–14 Holody Trophy, Midwest Division

Head coaches

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Guelph Storm head coaches have been awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as the OHL coach-of-the-year twice in team history. Craig Hartsburg was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy for the 1994–95 season, and was also voted the Canadian Hockey League coach-of-the-year the same year. Dave Barr won the Matt Leyden Trophy in 2005–06.

List of coaches with multiple seasons in parentheses.

  • 1991–1992 – Ron Ivany, Mike Kelly, Bill LaForge
  • 1992–1994 – John Lovell (2)
  • 1994–1995Craig Hartsburg
  • 1995–1997E.J. McGuire (2)
  • 1997–1998George Burnett (5)
  • 1998–1999 – Geoff Ward
  • 1999–2000 – Paul Gillis
  • 2000–2002Jeff Jackson (3)
  • 2002–2003 – Jeff Jackson, Shawn Camp
  • 2003–2004 – Shawn Camp (2)
  • 2004–2008Dave Barr (4)
  • 2008–2010 – Jason Brooks (2)
  • 2010 (interim) – Mike Kelly
  • 2010–2015Scott Walker (5)
  • 2015–2016Bill Stewart
  • 2015 (interim) – Mike Kelly
  • 2015–2017Jarrod Skalde (2)
  • 2017–2022 – George Burnett (5)
  • Sept.–Nov. 2022 – Scott Walker
  • 2022–2024Chad Wiseman
  • 2024–presentCory Stillman

General managers

[edit]

A Guelph Storm executive has won the OHL Executive of the Year on two occasions while the honour was awarded from 1990 to 2013. General manager Mike Kelly won the award in 1994–95 and team governor Rick Gaetz won the award in 2009–10.[citation needed]

List of General Managers with multiple seasons in parentheses.

  • 1991–1997 – Mike Kelly (12)
  • 1997–2003 – Alan Millar (6)
  • 2003–2008Dave Barr (5)
  • 2009–2010 – Jason Brooks
  • 2010–2016 – Mike Kelly
  • 2017–presentGeorge Burnett (6)

Players

[edit]

Award winners

[edit]

NHL alumni

[edit]

Honoured numbers

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List of numbers retired/honoured by the Guelph Storm.

Hall of Famers

[edit]

No former Guelph Storm members are currently in the Hockey Hall of Fame.[citation needed]

Season results

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Legend: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SL = Shoot-out losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Memorial Cup champions OHL champions OHL runners-up
Season GP W L T OTL SL Pts Win % GF GA Standing Playoffs
1991–92 66 4 51 11 19 0.144 235 425 8th Emms Did not qualify
1992–93 66 27 33 6 60 0.455 298 360 7th Emms Lost divisional quarterfinal (Detroit Jr. Red Wings) 4–1
1993–94 66 32 28 6 70 0.530 323 290 3rd Emms Won divisional quarterfinal (London Knights) 4–1
Lost divisional semifinal (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 4–0
1994–95 66 47 14 5 99 0.750 330 200 1st Central Bye in first round
Won quarterfinal (Owen Sound Platers) 4–0
Won semifinal (Belleville Bulls) 4–0
Lost OHL championship (Detroit Jr. Red Wings) 4–2
1995–96 66 45 16 5 95 0.720 297 186 1st Central Bye in first round
Won quarterfinal (Niagara Falls Thunder) 4–0
Won semifinal (Belleville Bulls) 4–1
Lost OHL championship (Peterborough Petes) 4–3
4th place in Memorial Cup round-robin
1996–97 66 35 25 6 76 0.576 300 251 2nd Central Won in first round (Erie Otters) 4–1
Won quarterfinal (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 4–2
Lost semifinal (Ottawa 67's) 4–3
1997–98 66 42 18 6 90 0.682 263 189 1st Central Bye in first round
Won quarterfinal (Sudbury Wolves) 4–0
Won semifinal (Plymouth Whalers) 4–0
Won OHL championship (Ottawa 67's) 4–1
2nd place in Memorial Cup round-robin
Won Memorial Cup semifinal (Spokane Chiefs) 2–1 (OT)
Lost Memorial Cup final (Portland Winterhawks) 4–3 (OT)
1998–99 68 44 22 2 90 0.662 300 218 1st Midwest Won conference quarterfinal (Erie Otters) 4–1
Lost conference semifinal (Owen Sound Platers) 4–2
1999–2000 68 29 34 4 1 63 0.456 250 256 4th Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (Plymouth Whalers) 4–2
2000–01 68 34 23 9 2 79 0.566 227 205 2nd Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (Brampton Battalion) 4–0
2001–02 68 41 22 4 1 87 0.596 246 218 2nd Midwest Won conference quarterfinal (Kitchener Rangers) 4–0
Lost conference semifinal (Windsor Spitfires) 4–1
3rd place in Memorial Cup round-robin
Lost Memorial Cup tie-breaker game (Victoriaville Tigres) 4–3
2002–03 68 29 28 9 2 69 0.507 217 208 3rd Midwest Won conference quarterfinal (Sarnia Sting) 4–2
Lost conference semifinal (Kitchener Rangers) 4–1
2003–04 68 49 14 5 0 103 0.757 276 182 2nd Midwest Won conference quarterfinal (Owen Sound Attack) 4–3
Won conference semifinal (Plymouth Whalers) 4–0
Won conference final (London Knights) 4–3
Won OHL championship (Mississauga IceDogs) 4–0
4th place in Memorial Cup round-robin
2004–05 68 23 34 10 1 57 0.412 167 189 5th Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (London Knights) 4–0
2005–06 68 40 24 1 3 84 0.618 232 206 3rd Midwest Won conference quarterfinal (Saginaw Spirit) 4–0
Won conference semifinal (Plymouth Whalers) 4–2
Lost conference final (London Knights) 4–1
2006–07 68 33 23 3 9 78 0.574 215 200 3rd Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (Plymouth Whalers) 4–0
2007–08 68 34 25 5 4 77 0.566 213 187 3rd Midwest Won conference quarterfinal (London Knights) 4–1
Lost conference semifinal (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 4–1
2008–09 68 35 26 4 3 77 0.566 226 209 2nd Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (Saginaw Spirit) 4–0
2009–10 68 35 29 3 1 74 0.544 242 255 3rd Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (London Knights) 4–1
2010–11 68 34 27 4 3 75 0.551 249 258 4th Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (Saginaw Spirit) 4–2
2011–12 68 31 31 2 4 68 0.500 234 238 4th Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (Plymouth Whalers) 4–2
2012–13 68 39 23 2 4 84 0.618 253 210 4th Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (Kitchener Rangers) 4–1
2013–14 68 52 12 2 2 108 0.794 340 191 1st Midwest Won conference quarterfinal (Plymouth Whalers) 4–1
Won conference semifinal (London Knights) 4–1
Won conference final (Erie Otters) 4–1
Won OHL championship (North Bay Battalion) 4–1
1st place in Memorial Cup round-robin
Lost Memorial Cup final (Edmonton Oil Kings) 6–3
2014–15 68 38 26 2 2 80 0.588 237 237 3rd Midwest Won conference quarterfinal (Owen Sound Attack) 4–1
Lost conference semifinal (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 4–0
2015–16 68 13 49 4 2 32 0.235 156 297 5th Midwest Did not qualify
2016–17 68 21 40 5 2 49 0.360 202 297 5th Midwest Did not qualify
2017–18 68 30 29 5 4 69 0.507 228 263 4th Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (Kitchener Rangers) 4–2
2018–19 68 40 18 6 4 90 0.662 308 230 2nd Midwest Won conference quarterfinal (Kitchener Rangers) 4–0
Won conference semifinal (London Knights) 4–3
Won conference final (Saginaw Spirit) 4–3
Won OHL championship (Ottawa 67's) 4–2
2nd place in Memorial Cup round-robin
Lost Memorial Cup semifinal (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies) 6–4
2019–20 63 32 23 3 5 72 0.571 218 209 3rd Midwest Playoffs cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22 68 36 24 5 3 80 0.588 251 228 2nd Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 4–1
2022–23 68 35 28 4 1 75 0.551 253 280 2nd Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (Sarnia Sting) 4–2
2023–24 68 33 28 6 1 73 0.537 210 225 4th Midwest Lost conference quarterfinal (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 4–0
2024–25 68 21 38 5 4 51 0.375 226 301 5th Midwest Did not qualify

Uniforms and logos

[edit]

For the 2007/08 season, the team switched to a crimson and white colour scheme with the same logo that was on the last jerseys, except the "stripes" that appear across the "belly" of the Storm logo itself were modified from black to crimson. The white jersey has "STORM" written on top of the logo, and the crimson jersey has "GUELPH" above the logo. The new shoulder patches, featuring the alternate "GS" logo, have been redesigned and are meant to be read from the inside (the "G") outward (the "S").

The Guelph Storm primary logo is one of the team's mascots "Spyke" surrounded by a twister with the team name above it. The team colours are white, grey, crimson and black. Home jerseys have a white background with "STORM" above the logo, and away jerseys have a crimson background with "GUELPH" above the logo.

The previous Guelph Storm logo was used from 1991 to 1995. The team colours then were white, blue, grey and black. Home jerseys had a white background and away jerseys had a blue background.[8]

Arenas

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The Guelph Storm played at the Guelph Memorial Gardens from 1991 until the year 2000 when moving to the new Guelph Sports and Entertainment Centre, since renamed the Sleeman Centre.[9] The GSEC was built into what was a former Eaton's department store in a downtown shopping mall. The GSEC hosted the 2001 Hershey Cup and the 2002 Memorial Cup.[10]

See also

[edit]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Guelph Storm is a major junior ice hockey team competing in the (OHL), a member of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), and based in , Ontario, Canada. The franchise relocated to in 1991 from , where it had been known as the Dukes of Hamilton since 1989, tracing its origins further back to the . Playing its home games at the , a 4,195-seat arena opened in 2000, the team has established itself as one of the OHL's more successful franchises. Since its inception in Guelph, the Storm has captured the , emblematic of OHL supremacy, on four occasions: in 1998, 2004, 2014, and 2019. These victories qualified the team for six tournaments, the CHL's national junior championship, though it has yet to claim that title under the Storm banner—unlike its predecessor Marlboros, which won seven. The club has also secured multiple division and conference titles, contributing to its reputation for developing talent that advances to professional leagues, including the National Hockey League.

History

Founding and Early Development

The Guelph Storm franchise originated from the relocation of the Dukes of Hamilton to , , prior to the 1991–92 (OHL) season. The team, tracing its lineage to the established in 1904, had relocated to Hamilton in 1989 amid ownership changes following the death of Maple Leaf Gardens president , but experienced low attendance and poor on-ice performance there, with records of 15–49–6 in 1989–90 and 21–41–4 in 1990–91. The move to filled the local junior hockey void created by the Guelph Platers' departure to earlier that year, and the franchise adopted the Storm moniker to symbolize energy and intensity, drawing on the city's industrial heritage and weather patterns. The newly minted Guelph Storm began operations at the Guelph Memorial Gardens arena, which seated approximately 4,000 fans, and selected forward as its inaugural priority selection in the 1991 OHL Priority Selection draft. Bertuzzi, chosen first overall by the franchise, would go on to score 40 goals and 78 points in his rookie season, providing an early cornerstone for development. The team's first was Paul Kelly, with general manager George Burnett overseeing operations. In their debut 1991–92 campaign, the Storm competed in the Emms Division and endured a rebuilding phase, posting an 11–51–4 record over 66 games, finishing last in the league with a -190 goal differential (235 goals for, 425 against). This marked a continuation of struggles from Hamilton but initiated a focus on youth scouting and player retention, setting the stage for incremental progress in subsequent seasons through draft acquisitions and minor roster tweaks.

Expansion and Relocation Context

The Guelph Storm franchise originated as the , a storied OHL team, before relocating to , in 1989 and rebranding as the Dukes of Hamilton. This move was part of broader OHL adjustments amid league expansion and realignment in the late 1980s, but the Dukes struggled immediately, posting records of 15-49-6 in 1989–90 and 11-54-5 in 1990–91, compounded by low attendance and financial difficulties in the Hamilton market. Seeking stability, the ownership relocated the franchise again to , , for the 1991–92 season, adopting the Storm name to evoke the city's dynamic weather and community spirit. This relocation filled a void in left by the departure of the Guelph Platers, a Junior A team that had moved to in 1989 to become the Owen Sound Platers (later the Attack), ending decades of major junior hockey presence in the city dating back to . The Storm began play at the Memorial Gardens, an existing arena, which facilitated the quick transition without requiring new construction. The move aligned with the OHL's strategy to consolidate in mid-sized Ontario markets with strong hockey traditions, avoiding oversaturation in larger urban centers like , where the Marlboros had faced competition from professional teams. Guelph's population of approximately 87,000 at the time provided a dedicated fan base, evidenced by improved attendance from the outset compared to Hamilton's failures. This relocation marked the franchise's third identity shift in three years, setting the stage for long-term viability in a market previously underserved after the Platers' exit.

Memorial Cup Successes

The Guelph Storm qualified for the as champions in 1998, 2002, 2014, and 2019, marking their primary successes at the Canadian Hockey League's national tournament. Their best performance occurred in 2014, hosted by the London Knights in , where the Storm compiled a perfect 3-0 round-robin record, including a 7-2 victory over the host Knights on May 21. Advancing directly to the final after topping the standings, they faced the but lost 6-2 on May 25. In the 2014 semi-final stage, the Storm had earlier secured their final berth with a 6-3 win over the Val-d'Or Foreurs on May 19, showcasing offensive depth led by players like and . This runner-up finish represented the franchise's closest approach to the championship, though they fell short against the champions. The team had previously appeared in the tournament in 1998 under coach George Burnett, exiting in the round-robin phase. Subsequent appearances yielded limited results, including a first-round win in 2019 via Alexei Toropchenko's against the on May 18, followed by elimination in the semi-finals by the same opponent. Despite six total participations, the Storm have not secured the title, with their 2014 silver ranking as the pinnacle amid consistent OHL contention but national-level challenges.

Rebuilding Periods and Challenges

The Guelph Storm's inaugural 1991–92 season marked a significant rebuilding challenge, as the franchise relocated from Windsor and struggled with a 4–51–11 record, accumulating only 19 points and finishing last in the (OHL), thus missing the . This poor performance reflected the difficulties of establishing a new roster in a competitive league, with the team scoring just 212 goals while allowing 455. Following the 2013–14 OHL championship and appearance, the Storm entered a pronounced rebuilding phase in 2015–16, posting a 13–49–4–2 record for 32 points and missing the amid a league-worst goal differential, having scored only 156 s. The subsequent 2016–17 season continued the slump with a 21–40–5–2 mark (49 points), again failing to qualify for postseason play, as key players from the championship era aged out and draft picks required development. These back-to-back non-playoff years highlighted the OHL's short contention cycles, where teams often mortgage futures for contention, leading to talent droughts post-success. Ownership instability added to operational challenges, including a hostile takeover attempt by Sports and Entertainment Centre operators in the early and a full sale in September 2021 from previous owners Rick Gaetz, Scott Walker, Rick Hoyle, and John Heeley to businessmen Joel Feldberg and Jeffrey Bly, approved by the OHL Board of Governors. The 2020–21 season's cancellation due to further disrupted momentum, leaving players "extremely disappointed" after planned hub-city play was abandoned. In the 2024–25 season, the Storm again missed the with a 21–38–5–4 record (51 points), prompting an embrace of youth development over immediate contention, with management focusing on a core of emerging prospects despite defensive and goaltending inconsistencies. This period underscored ongoing challenges in balancing draft lottery outcomes with sustained competitiveness in the talent-exporting OHL model.

Recent Seasons and Developments

In the 2022–23 season, the Guelph Storm recorded 35 wins, 28 losses, 4 overtime losses, and 1 shootout loss over 68 games, accumulating 75 points and securing a playoff berth before being eliminated in the first round. The following year, 2023–24, they posted a 33–28–6–1 mark for 73 points, again reaching the postseason but falling 3–4 to the in the conference quarterfinals. The 2024–25 campaign marked a downturn, with the team finishing 21–38–5–4 for 51 points across 68 games, missing the amid challenges from injuries and illnesses that hampered early performance. Entering the 2025–26 season as a retooling squad focused on prospects for a deeper run in 2026–27, the Storm signed import draft picks Adam Belohorsky and Mykola Haponenko in July 2025 to bolster size and depth. As of late October 2025, the Storm had notched recent victories, including 6–3 over the on October 18 and 6–3 against the on October 24, contributing to an early-season push in the standings. Off the ice, in September 2025, Guelph advanced to the finalist stage alongside the in the bid to host the 2027 , supported by municipal partnerships and funding.

Organizational Leadership

General Managers

The Guelph Storm, founded in 1991 as an expansion franchise in the , have been led by six general managers responsible for player personnel, drafting, and trades. Mike Kelly served as the inaugural general manager from 1991 to 1997, overseeing the team's early establishment and development in , . He returned to the role from 2010 to 2016, during which the Storm qualified for the playoffs in five of six seasons but did not advance beyond the conference finals. Alan Millar held the position from 1997 to 2003, guiding the team to a championship in 2002 after defeating the Acadie-Bathurst Titan 3-1 in the final. Under his leadership, the Storm also won the as OHL champions that year. Dave Barr became the third in 2003, serving through 2008 while often doubling as ; he prioritized defensive improvements and player development, leading to consistent regular-season contention but no deep playoff runs. Jason Brooks was appointed the fourth on April 20, 2009, for a brief tenure ending in 2010; he focused on scouting and minor roster adjustments amid transitional seasons. George Burnett has been since April 17, 2017, succeeding Kelly and initially combining the role with head coaching duties until 2022. As of October 2025, Burnett continues in the role, emphasizing draft success and player retention, with recent signings including 2025 pick Simon Belohorsky.

Head Coaches

The Guelph Storm, founded in 1991 as a member of the (OHL), have employed 18 head coaches through the 2024–25 season, with tenures varying from single seasons to multi-year stints often tied to rebuilding efforts or championship pursuits. George Burnett holds the distinction of the longest cumulative coaching tenure, spanning multiple periods including 1997–98, 2017–22, and leading the team to OHL championships in 1997–98 and 2018–19, before transitioning to while accumulating over 600 regular-season wins, ranking him among the OHL's all-time leaders. Other coaches with championship success include Shawn Camp (2003–04 OHL title) and Scott Walker (2013–14 OHL title), reflecting periods of competitive peaks amid the franchise's history of transitions.
Head CoachSeasonsNotable Achievements
Ron Ivany, Mike Kelly, Bill LaForge1991–92Inaugural season
John Lovell1992–94
1994–95
E.J. McGuire1995–97
George Burnett1997–98OHL championship
Geoff Ward1998–99
Paul Gillis1999–00
Jeff Jackson2000–02
Jeff Jackson, Shawn Camp2002–03
Shawn Camp2003–04OHL championship
Dave Barr2004–08
Jason Brooks2008–10
Jason Brooks, Mike Kelly, Scott Walker2010–11
Scott Walker2011–14OHL championship (2013–14)
Scott Walker, Bill Stewart2014–15
Bill Stewart, Mike Kelly, Jarrod Skalde2015–16
Jarrod Skalde2016–17
George Burnett2017–22OHL championship (2018–19)
Chad Wiseman2022–24
2024–presentTwo-time Stanley Cup champion as player
This list reflects documented tenures, with interim or shared roles indicated where multiple coaches overlapped in a season; transitions often occurred mid-season due to performance or organizational changes. Recent hiring of on May 23, 2024, followed the dismissal of Chad Wiseman on April 29, 2024, after two seasons with a 68–56–12 regular-season record, aiming to leverage Stillman's OHL playing experience and professional pedigree for renewed competitiveness.

Players and Alumni

Award Winners

Defenceman Cam Allen received the Emms Family Award as the OHL Rookie of the Year in the 2021–22 season, after recording 25 points in 51 games. Forward Dustin Brown earned the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year award in 2002–03, honouring his balance of on-ice performance and academic success, including three consecutive Bobby Smith Trophies as OHL Scholastic Player of the Year from 2000–01 to 2002–03. Defenceman Garrett McFadden was awarded the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy as OHL Humanitarian of the Year in 2016–17 for his off-ice contributions, including founding McFadden's Movement to support initiatives. Forward Jett Luchanko won the William Hanley Trophy as the OHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player in 2023–24, becoming the fourth Storm player to receive the honour; he recorded zero penalty minutes over 68 games while contributing 94 points.
YearPlayerAwardDetails
2021–22Cam AllenEmms Family Award (OHL Rookie of the Year)25 points in 51 games as a .
2002–03Dustin BrownCHL Scholastic Player of the YearCombined academic excellence with 68 points in 57 OHL games.
2016–17Garrett McFaddenDan Snyder Memorial Trophy (OHL Humanitarian of the Year)Recognized for community and mental health advocacy.
2023–24Jett LuchankoWilliam Hanley Trophy (OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player)94 points with zero penalty minutes in 68 games.

NHL Alumni

Prominent NHL alumni from the Guelph Storm include , a right winger who played for the team from 1992 to 1995, accumulating 329 points in 188 regular-season games before embarking on a 951-game NHL career with the Hartford Whalers/, , and , where he recorded 287 goals and 647 points. , another forward who suited up for the Storm in 1991 and 1992–1993, totaling 90 points in 76 games, later played 1,151 NHL regular-season games across teams including the , , , , and , amassing 304 goals and 588 points. Goaltender Craig Anderson, with the Storm from 1998 to 2001, appeared in 228 games and posted a 3.55 goals-against average before establishing a lengthy NHL tenure exceeding 700 games, primarily with the , where he ranks among franchise leaders in wins (253 as of 2023). Defenseman Drew Doughty, who played for Guelph from 2005 to 2008 and earned 205 points in 210 games, was selected second overall by the [Los Angeles Kings](/page/Los Angeles_Kings) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft; he has since won two Stanley Cups (2012, 2014) and two Norris Trophies (2016, 2018) while logging over 1,000 games. More recent standouts include forward Tyler Bertuzzi (2011–2015 with Guelph, 237 points in 208 games), who has appeared in over 400 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins as of 2025. Forward Robby Fabbri (2012–2015, 219 points in 202 games) has played over 300 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, and Anaheim Ducks. Defenseman Sean Durzi (2016–2018, 76 points in 107 games) has established himself with the Los Angeles Kings and Utah Hockey Club, exceeding 150 games by 2025. Other active or recent alumni with NHL experience encompass Jason Dickinson (2009–2013), Brock McGinn (2012–2016), and Matt Poitras (2022–2023).

Honoured Numbers

The Guelph Storm recognize select players by honouring their jersey numbers, which are displayed in the rafters of the but not always retired from use, except in the case of Paul Fendley. This tradition distinguishes exceptional contributions to the team, often tied to NHL success or tragic circumstances. Number 18 belongs to Paul Fendley, a forward who died in May 1972 after sustaining a fatal during a game with the CMC's, a predecessor junior team. His jersey was unofficially retired by Guelph junior teams immediately following the incident and was officially retired by the Storm in 2008 to commemorate his legacy and promote player safety awareness. Number 44 honours , a forward who played for the Storm from 1993 to 1995, accumulating 128 points in 112 regular-season games and contributing to the team's 1995 victory. The number was raised in to recognize his pivotal role in the franchise's championship era and subsequent NHL career, where he recorded over 700 points. Number 92 is dedicated to , who wore it from 1992 to 1995, scoring 145 goals in 169 games and helping secure the 1995 OHL championship. Honoured in 2015, it acknowledges his offensive prowess and transition to a 1,100-point NHL tenure with teams including Whalers and . Number 24 was honoured for in June 2022, celebrating his tenure from 2004 to 2007, during which he tallied 130 points in 188 games and served as team captain. The recognition highlights his leadership, gritty style, and NHL achievements, including a with the in 2021.
NumberPlayerPositionStorm YearsHonour DateKey Contributions
18Paul FendleyForwardPre-1980s2008 (official retirement)Tragic on-ice death; safety legacy
44Forward1993–199520161995 ; NHL scoring
92Forward1992–199520151995 OHL title; prolific scorer
24Forward2004–20072022Captaincy; leadership in NHL

Hall of Famers

Dustin Brown, a forward who played for the Guelph Storm from the 2000–01 to 2002–03 seasons and tallied 194 points in 174 games, was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023 as part of a class recognizing his contributions, including two Stanley Cup championships with the Los Angeles Kings. Mike Kelly, who served as the inaugural general manager of the Guelph Storm upon its relocation to Guelph in 1991 and held the position until 2017, was inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame in 2023 in the builder category for his foundational role in establishing the franchise, including drafting its first-ever selection, Jeff O'Neill, in 1992. No former Guelph Storm players or personnel have been inducted into the .

Achievements and Records

Team Championships

The Guelph Storm have captured the , awarded to the (OHL) playoff champion, on four occasions, establishing them as one of the league's more successful franchises since relocating to Guelph in 1991. Their first title came in the 2002–03 season, defeating the in the finals, followed by a repeat victory the next year against the London Knights, marking the franchise's only consecutive championships to date. The team added their third OHL crown in 2013–14 by edging the 4–3 in Game 7 of the finals. Their most recent triumph occurred in 2018–19, overcoming the with an 8–3 Game 6 victory to secure the series 4–2. Despite these OHL successes qualifying the Storm for the —the Canadian Hockey League's national junior championship tournament—the team has yet to win the trophy itself. Guelph has made six appearances as OHL representatives, tying for the second-most among OHL clubs, but finished as runners-up only once, losing the 1998 final to the Buccaneers of the Portland Winter Hawks. Their other showings include semifinal or round-robin exits in 1996, 2002, 2004, 2014, and 2019.
YearOHL Finals ResultMemorial Cup Appearance
2002–03Def. Did not qualify
2003–04Def. Semifinals loss
2013–14Def. 4–3Semifinals loss
2018–19Def. 4–2Semifinals loss

Individual Accomplishments

set the franchise single-season points record with 126 in 1993–94, followed by his own 124 points in 1994–95. recorded 119 points in 1993–94, the third-highest single-season total. O'Neill also holds the career points record with 329 over 216 games from 1992 to 1995. Martin St. Pierre ranks second with 320 points in 303 games from 2000 to 2004. For career goals, O'Neill leads with 132, while St. Pierre holds the assists record at 196. In goaltending, set the single-season wins record with 35 in 2010–11, though this reflects team success as much as individual performance. These records highlight offensive dominance in the team's early OHL years, particularly during the 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons when multiple players exceeded 100 points.

Statistical Milestones

The Guelph Storm achieved their franchise record for most regular-season wins with 52 and most points with 108 during the 2013–14 OHL season, finishing with a .794 points percentage. That same campaign marked the team's highest goals-for total at 340. Defensively, the 2003–04 squad holds the record for fewest goals against, allowing just 182. Jeff O'Neill owns the franchise lead for career points among players, accumulating 329 from 1992 to 1995. Martin St. Pierre ranks second with 320 points over his tenure. In goaltending, Chris Madden recorded the most career wins with 89 across four seasons from 1996 to 2000. Single-season player benchmarks include franchise highs for points, goals, and assists tracked via OHL databases, with notable performances such as defenseman Michael Buchinger's 67 points in 2022–23, ranking among the top for blueliners. The team has also notched extended streaks, including a 10-game winning run capped by a 3–1 victory over the .

Performance History

Season-by-Season Results

The Guelph Storm joined the (OHL) as an expansion team for the 1991–92 season, initially struggling before achieving periodic success, including four championships as OHL winners in 1997–98, 2003–04, 2013–14, and 2018–19. Their performance has varied, with strong regular seasons often leading to deep playoff runs, though recent years have seen more inconsistency. The 2020–21 season was cancelled due to the , and the 2019–20 playoffs were also curtailed.
SeasonGPWLT/OTLSOLPtsPlayoff Result
1991–926645111019Out of
1992–936627336060Lost in first round
1993–946632286070Lost in second round
1994–956647145099Lost in finals
1995–966645165095Lost in finals
1996–976635256078Lost in third round
1997–986642176191Won championship
1998–996844212191Lost in second round
1999–006829344163Lost in first round
2000–016834239279Lost in first round
2001–026837237182Lost in second round
2002–036829289269Lost in second round
2003–0468491450103Won championship
2004–0568233410157Lost in first round
2005–066840240484Lost in conference finals
2006–0768332301278Lost in first round
2007–086834250977Lost in second round
2008–096835260777Lost in first round
2009–106835290474Lost in first round
2010–116834270775Lost in first round
2011–126831310668Lost in first round
2012–136839230684Lost in first round
2013–1468521204108Won championship
2014–156838260480Lost in second round
2015–166813490632Out of
2016–176821400749Out of
2017–186830290969Lost in first round
2018–1968401801090Won championship
2019–206332230872 cancelled
2020–21000000Season cancelled
2021–226836240880Lost in first round
2022–236835280575Lost in first round
2023–246833280773Lost in first round
2024–256821380951Out of
Note: Early seasons (pre-2005) include ties (T) rather than overtime/shootout losses; later seasons reflect OHL format changes with OTL (overtime losses) and SOL (shootout losses) contributing 1 point each. Playoff results are abbreviated for brevity, with "championship" denoting OHL winners advancing to the .

Playoff Appearances and Outcomes

The Guelph Storm have qualified for the (OHL) playoffs in every season since their debut 1991–92 campaign, during which they posted a 4–51–11 record and finished last overall in the league. This achievement marks one of the longest continuous playoff streaks in OHL history, with the team clinching postseason berths for 32 consecutive years through the 2023–24 season. The Storm have advanced to the OHL championship series five times, capturing the as league champions in 1997–98 (defeating the 4–1), 2001–02, 2003–04 (completing a rare back-to-back sweep of the title against the ), 2013–14 (overcoming the 4–3 in a decisive Game 7 victory on May 14, 2014), and 2018–19 (rallying from a 2–0 deficit to beat the 4–2, capped by an 8–3 win in Game 6 on May 13, 2019). As OHL champions or select invitees, the Storm have competed in the six times (1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2014, and 2019), though they have not won the national junior hockey title. Their deepest runs include a runner-up finish in 2014, losing the final 6–3 to the champion , and a semifinal defeat in 2019 to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion .

Facilities and Identity

Arenas

The played their home games at the Guelph Memorial Gardens from the team's inaugural 1991–92 season until the arena's closure in 2000. Opened on November 11, 1948, at a of $425,000, the Gardens served as a multi-purpose venue for various Guelph junior hockey teams prior to the Storm's arrival and accommodated crowds for municipal events alongside . Since September 2000, the have been based at the Sleeman Centre, a 4,666-seat multi-purpose arena located at 50 Woolwich Street in downtown . Constructed at a of CA$21 million on the site of a former Eaton's , the facility—initially named the Sports and Entertainment Centre—replaced the aging Memorial Gardens to meet growing demand for modern amenities in the city. The arena secured sponsorship from in 2007 and is owned by the City of , functioning as the primary tenant venue for the while hosting additional events such as concerts and tournaments, including the 2002 .

Uniforms and Logos

The Guelph Storm's primary logo originated in the team's inaugural 1991-92 season as a stylized set against a triangular background. This design persisted until the 1996-97 season, after which it evolved in 1997-98 to feature a more anthropomorphic character, incorporating crimson, black, and white colors that became synonymous with the franchise. The funnel cloud served as the central emblem for two decades, appearing on jerseys and team merchandise. In June 2018, the Storm unveiled an updated primary logo, refining the storm cloud motif with a modernized font while retaining core elements like the palette for continuity and brand recognition. The team's official colors include (HEX #900027), black, white, and supporting shades of gray and brown. Historically, the Storm have employed a variety of designs, totaling 16 distinct styles across their OHL tenure. Primary feature a white base with the team name "" arched above the , while road jerseys use a background with "" lettering. In November 2024, the team introduced a black alternate featuring horizontal and white striping, metallic silver number trim, and a new secondary —an "S" stylized with effects and a central puck—worn during select games. These updates reflect efforts to balance tradition with contemporary aesthetics in OHL uniform standards.

Controversies and Incidents

On-Ice Conduct Violations

Guelph Storm forward Roberto Fabbri received a 10-game suspension from the (OHL) on November 6, 2013, for a check to the head delivered during a game against the the previous Friday. Fabbri was assessed a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct on the play, which occurred with 4:17 remaining in the second period. During the 2014 Memorial Cup tournament, Storm defenceman Chadd Bauman was suspended for an illegal kneeing hit against the Val-d'Or Foreurs on May 20, 2014. Bauman, from Conestogo, , drew a five-minute kneeing major and game misconduct at 7:50 of the third period, prompting the OHL's supplemental discipline. The suspension sidelined him for Guelph's subsequent games in the event. On April 2, 2024, the OHL fined the Guelph Storm $500 for conduct demeaning the officials during a playoff game against the . The infraction, which resulted in a game misconduct penalty, was attributed to the team's bench personnel and led to the league's determination of unprofessional behavior toward referees. In a more recent incident, Storm forward Ryan McGuire was handed a seven-game suspension by the OHL on October 31, 2024, for a reckless check to the head of forward Tyler Hopkins during a game on October 24, 2024. McGuire, who had already served a one-game suspension from the on-ice officials' major penalty and game misconduct assessed with 6:41 left in the third period, missed additional contests as supplemental discipline.

Off-Ice Player Misconduct

In March 1997, three Guelph Storm players— unidentified in public reports—were charged with following allegations by a 16-year-old girl that she was forced to have sex with them at the team's season-ending party. The charges were subsequently dropped on the advice of attorney, citing insufficient evidence for prosecution. In 2010, Guelph Storm forward Cody McNaughton received a five-game suspension from the for , an off-ice infraction involving inappropriate conduct toward teammates, though specific details of the incident were not publicly disclosed by the league. Former Guelph Storm player Todd Cooper was arrested and charged with trafficking in early 2012 after allegedly selling the drug to an undercover officer on multiple occasions between December 2011 and January 2012. Cooper, who had played two seasons with the Storm from 2004 to 2006, pleaded guilty to four counts of trafficking and was sentenced later that year to a conditional term including and . In August 2016, former Guelph Storm goaltender Michael Giugovaz was charged with sexual assault stemming from an incident in Peterborough, Ontario, the previous month; Giugovaz had played for the Storm during the 2014–15 season. No further public details on the resolution of the charge were reported in available sources.

Cultural and Public Relations Issues

In December 2021, the Guelph Storm discontinued the use of "Cotton Eye Joe"—a song played for over 20 years via a 1995 Rednex remix to hype fans and mascot Stormy—after reviewing its historical ties to pre-Civil War American slavery, where enslaved Black people were forced to pick cotton on Southern plantations, as noted by the Guelph Black Heritage Society. Team vice-president of business operations Matt Newby stated the decision aimed to avoid discomfort for families attending games and to select a suitable replacement through Twitter fan polls. In March 2024, the team admitted an "error in judgment" with specialty jerseys auctioned to raise funds for , a Kitchener-based Indigenous cultural organization, due to artwork resembling potentially forged pieces attributed to artist . The 2023 jersey featured a logo akin to Morrisseau's "Sacred Medicine ," while the 2024 version's eagle evoked his "Sacred Thunderbird," amid broader probes into hundreds of questionable Morrisseau attributions involving art fraud. Following online criticism and from Morrisseau's estate, the collaborated with estate representatives, pledged to source future designs from authenticated Indigenous artists, and chose not to destroy or recall the jerseys.

References

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