The Gueph Storm has traded star defenceman Ryan Merkley to the Peterborough Petes.
In return the Storm gets Pavel Gogolev and five draft picks: a second round pick in 2019, a third round pick in 2021 and three conditional picks, a second rounder in 2023, a third rounder in 2023 and a fourth rounder in 2022.
Gogolev, a native of Moscow, Russia, has posted 19 points in 29 games this season (seven goals, 12 assists) and has tallied 77 points in 148 games played since joining the Petes in 2016-17. Last season, he notched 30 goals and 17 assists in 66 games.
“Pavel is an excellent combination of size and skill and is a proven goal scorer,” said Storm general manager George Burnett in a press release. “To have this player in our lineup for the coming seasons is exciting for our organization.”
Gogolev was the Petes’ first round pick in the 2016 OHL draft (eighth overall). was the first overall pick in the same draft and was a first round selection of the NHL's San Jose Sharks.
“Ryan’s been a tremendous player for the Guelph Storm for the past two and a half seasons.” said Burnett. “We wish him well with his new opportunity in Peterborough.”
Merkley had 39 points in 28 games this season.
He had 167 points in 159 career games in Guelph.
The Petes and the Storm play each other Friday night at the Sleeman Centre.
