The arrival of overage defenceman Jack Hanley in a trade from the Hamilton Bulldogs is likely going to be the only new face with the Guelph Storm, at least for the next little while.
General manager George Burnett said the team is pretty much set heading in to training camp, which opens with player's reporting on Aug. 27.
There are 17 returning players from last year, 18 if you include Hanley, and Burnett wants to see what he has before adding anyone else.
Hanley joins returning forward Zach Poirier as the team's two overagers for now. The third overage spot will likely be filled once the season progresses, Burnett said.
"There's no rush. If something came up that made a lot of sense I guess we would consider it," he said.
"But there's absolutely no rush to fill the third overage spot or to add another player at this particular time. We have five returning defencemen and 11 returning forwards. I don't foresee any need to rush into making a decision."
By Halloween, Burnett said he will have a better idea of how the team stacks up in the league and will "adjust as we need to."
"We had seven first-year kids in our lineup last year, which was probably too many," Burnett admits. "This year we won't have that many rookies, three or four at most."
The Storm has already signed its first three picks from this year's draft, defencemen Daniil Chayka and Zack Terry along with forward Ty Collins, and Burnett said he expects those three to make the team.
Ideally he wants to carry 13 forwards, seven defencemen and two goalies.
With several players off to NHL camps in September, Burnett said it's a great chance to see what the rookies and second year players bring.
"I don't think there's any rush to make decisions," he said.
Hanley, a 20-year-old Whitby native, was drafted by Burnett in the third round back when the Storm GM ran the Belleville Bulls.
Burnett said don't judge Hanley by his point totals, which saw him tally a combined 17 points in 88 games while wearing the Bulldogs jersey last season.
"We know the type of kid that he is and his character. He brings tremendous leadership skills and will compliment the group we have in a very positive way," Burnett said.
Hanley has the reputation of being a great character player, both on and off the ice, and a quiet leader in the dressing room.
"There's no doubt," Burnett says of Hanley's character.
"It's easy to look at his numbers and say he's not an offensive guy .... but don't be fooled by the point totals, he moves the puck extremely well and plays really hard."
There were talks with Hanley and his family before the deal was made to make sure everyone was on the same page.
"He's all-in and excited to be here," Burnett said.
Guelph also added Chad Wiseman as an assistant coach, replacing Luca Caputi, who has gone to Kingston as an associate coach.
Wiseman, who lives in Puslinch, played in the OHL, had a lengthy minor pro career, has coached women's hockey, worked in player skill development with the New York Islanders and was the technical director for Guelph Minor Hockey.
The Storm will play its first two exhibition games at home on the Labour Day weekend, Saturday against Peterborough and Monday against Mississauga.
Regular season opens Sept. 20 in Windsor.
