The Guelph Storm announced a trade Wednesday, sending a defenceman and a number of picks in upcoming OHL Priority Selections to Sudbury for Wolves defenceman Owen Lalonde.
Lalonde was selected by the Wolves second overall in the OHL Priority Selection prior to last season and by season end was named to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team.
During November’s World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Lalonde won a silver medal with Team Canada Black, scoring two points over six games.
As a Minor Midget player in 2015-16, Lalonde earned Player of the Year honours in the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario, leading his Windsor AAA Zone team to a berth in the 2016 OHL Cup, scoring three points in four games.
In 64 regular season games for the Wolves last season, Lalonde had 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists), with a minus 30 rating.
Lalonde, who hails form Windsor, Ont., booked 12 penalty minutes last season.
The Storm are sending defenceman Nolan Makkonen and a number of OHL Priority Selection to Sudbury in the deal.
George Burnett, Storm GM and head coach, said the trade was an opportunity to add an elite young talent.
“He will have an impact in our lineup immediately and also be a huge part of our future.” Said Burnett.
Lalonde, who is scheduled to appear at the Storm’s 2017 training camp on Aug. 28, said he is thrilled for the opportunity to join the team.
“(I) can’t wait to get to Guelph to meet my new teammates,” said Lalonde. “I’ve heard so many great things about the city and the fans in Guelph and I’m excited to get to work.”
The Storm signed Makkonen last January. He was originally drafted by Guelph in the ninth round of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. He played 28 regular season games last season.
In addition to receiving Makkonen, the Wolves also pick up Windsor’s second and third round pick in the 2018 Priority Selection, Peterborough’s second round pick in 2019 and Sault Ste. Marie’s third round pick in 2021.
Two conditional picks — Windsor’s second round pick in 2019 and Guelph’s second round pick in 2021 — may end up being part of the trade.
