Hockey Operations

(519) 837-9690

Front Office

(519) 837-9690

Facility

The Guelph Storm Hockey Club is the main tenant at the Sleeman Centre, located in Downtown Guelph. Built in 2000, it is Guelph’s premier sports and entertainment facility.

The building is home to the team’s administration and hockey operations along with the facilities the players use daily. Featuring individual player stalls, a full-service gym, an athletic therapy room, and equipment repairs done on location.

Prospective Player Information

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Education and the Guelph Storm

The Guelph Storm Hockey Club is proud of a tradition of excellence in the classroom that is unrivaled in the Canadian Hockey League.  In our 30-year history, Guelph Storm players have earned the OHL’s Bobby Smith Award as Academic Player of the Year on five occasions.  In addition, during the 13-year history of the OHL’s Roger Neilson Memorial Award (presented annually to the top academic university/college player), Guelph Storm players have earned the prestigious honour four times.

Located only two kilometers from the Sleeman Centre, Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School is our players’ high school home.  Learn more about Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School by clicking here.

Ranked as the fourth best comprehensive university in Canada (and second in Ontario) in the Maclean’s Magazine 2022 university rankings, the University of Guelph is only two kilometers away from the Sleeman Centre. Many Storm players attend the University of Guelph while playing in the OHL, while other players study at nearby Conestoga College.  To learn more about the University of Guelph, click here. To learn more about Conestoga College, click here.

• In addition to Academic Advisors, every player has access to the support of a tutor at no cost to the player and his family.
  • A unique and personalized academic plan is created to cater to every student athlete’s specific needs.
  • GradeSlam is an online tutor platform that gives students 24/7 access to tutors.
• All practice times are scheduled after school hours.
• The latest technical support is provided to the players to assist them as student-athletes.
• 99% of OHL players graduate from high school.
• High school players cannot be traded without the consent of the player and his family.
• Financial commitment to the education of all players:
  • All education costs are paid for by the OHL team while playing in the OHL including tuition, books, compulsory fees, and room and board.
  • Every OHL Player is eligible for a scholarship from their respective team, administered through the league office, upon graduating from the OHL.
  • The minimum scholarship benefit for graduating players is tuition, books and compulsory fees for each season played in the OHL toward an undergraduate degree.
  • The maximum scholarship benefit for graduating players is tuition, books, compulsory fees, and room and board toward an undergraduate degree

• CHL graduates can compete in U SPORTS hockey programs and receive their education paid for by taking advantage of the Scholarship Programs throughout the CHL which the member clubs of the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League fund.
• The OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 343 OHL Graduates attending different academic institutions with a total scholarship payment above $3.1M (2020-21 season).
• Scholarships may be utilized for university, college, trade, or technical schools

Guelph Storm Professional Support

The Guelph Storm’s successful track record of graduating alumni to the NHL isn’t limited to players.  We are proud to boast a long list of former coaches who made the jump to the National Hockey League after working behind the bench in the Royal City.  The list of current and former NHL coaches that earned their stripes with the Storm includes Craig Hartsburg (Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets), E.J. McGuire (Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators), George Burnett (Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks), Geoff Ward (Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames), Jeff Jackson (New York Islanders), Dave Barr (Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks) and Chris Hajt (Buffalo Sabres).

The Guelph Storm coaching staff offers years of pro hockey experience including at the National Hockey League and American Hockey League levels to help maximize every player’s potential.  Perhaps more important than their coaching and playing experience at the pro level, our hockey club has a history of hiring Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches including our current Head Coach Chad Wiseman, who made his first strides towards pro hockey careers in the Ontario Hockey League.  The first-hand knowledge of the OHL gained by our coaching staff as players gives each of them an understanding of the lives of junior-aged players and the professional services needed to develop the young men on and off the ice.

• Full-time coaches, Assistant coaches including goalie coaches, video coaches, skating coaches, and skill development coaches to support the development of players.
• Every Member Team supports players through full-time athletic therapists in addition to Member Team physicians and dentists.
• Dedicated Academic Advisors for all players on each OHL team.
• Strength and Conditioning Coaches.
• Nutritional Consultants.
• The Director of Security, a retired OPP Chief Superintendent (Regional Commander), has a communication network with each OHL Member Team security liaison officer.
  • Liaison Officers are members of local police services, in addition to any security needs, they facilitate drug and alcohol awareness seminars as well as additional community support programs.
• Team doctor and dentist at every OHL game to support the needs of the medical needs of the players.
• On-site professional emergency care for all players (EMS) for every game.
• Defibrillator at each OHL bench for all games and practices.
• Partnership with Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
  • Comprehensive Mental Health Program for all players and staff through local CMHA branches.
  • Mental Health Coach for every OHL Member Team providing support to players, staff, and billets.
  • Mandatory three-hour workshop for players and staff entitled Talk Today regarding mental health awareness.

• The league, as a member and partner of Hockey Canada, supports the participation of its players in all National Team Programs ie. Under 17, Under 18, World Junior Championship Tournament.
• All professional services are provided at no cost to players.

Guelph Storm Player Development

Headlined by 2015-16 Norris Trophy winner and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Drew Doughty, 13 different former Storm players played in the National Hockey League during the 2023-24 season.  A testament to the Guelph Storm development model to draft, develop, and graduate players in a Storm uniform.

During the Storm’s 33-year history, a total of 67 former players have played in the NHL. In the last three NHL Drafts, the Storm has had six players hear their names called including Cam Allen (WSH 2023), Matt Poitras (BOS 2022), Danny Zhilkin (WPG 2022), Michael Buchinger (STL 2022), and Jake Karabela (WSH 2022).

• The OHL is the number one development league in the world in providing players to the National Hockey League (NHL) and U SPORTS Men’s Hockey.
• Over 190 OHL Graduates are currently on U SPORTS Men’s Hockey rosters.
• 71 of the 217 players selected in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft came from the CHL, accounting for more than 32% of all 217 players chosen by all 31 NHL clubs. Twenty-five of those picks came from the OHL.
• The OHL produced thirteen 1st & 2nd round draft picks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft = 1st in the world.
• Over the past seven years, there have been 99 OHL Players selected in the first round or second round of the NHL Draft = 1st in the world.

• Since 1969, the OHL has had 2,379 players selected to the NHL = 1st in the world. This represents 20% of all players ever selected in the NHL Draft. Recent OHL Grads who are NHL stars include Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, John Tavares, Steven Stamkos, Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, PK Subban, Tyler Seguin, Taylor Hall, Jeff Skinner, and Brandon Saad to name a few.
• Recent OHL Grads who are NHL stars include Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, John Tavares, Steven Stamkos, Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, PK Subban, Tyler Seguin, Taylor Hall, Jeff Skinner, and Brandon Saad to name a few.
• Recent OHL Grads who are U SPORTS stars and excelling as student-athletes include Liam Maaskant (U SPORTS Student-Athlete Community Award Winner, Acadia University), Slater Doggett (Top 8 Academic All-Canadian, Queen’s University), Chris Paquette (U SPORTS All-Rookie Team, Royal Military College) to name a few.
• Ten members of Team Canada’s 2019-20 Gold Medal under-20 team came from the OHL, along with four members of the Coaching Staff.

Player Benefits in Guelph and the OHL

Guelph Storm headquarters inside the Sleeman Centre include everything that a player needs to develop on and off the ice.  Storm players have access to a large gym and fitness area, players lounge, video room, and a therapy room – all just steps away from the Storm dressing room which features a large mural that pays tribute to many of the Storm players who represented their nation at the World Junior Hockey Championship and played in the National Hockey League.

• Players are provided with the best equipment available at no cost to the player including:
  • Sticks, Skates, Shin pads, Pants, Gloves, Elbow pads, Shoulder pads, Neck guard, Helmet.
  • Goalie pads, Goalie glove and blocker, Goalie chest protector, Goalie pants, Goalie helmet, Goalie sticks.
  • All performance wear.
• No player registration fees.
• All players’ meals are provided for, the majority of which are provided at their billet home.

• Players are provided with off-ice apparel packages.
• Each OHL Member Team provides an annual $1000 off-season expense reimbursement for players for off-ice training and skill development.
  • Each OHL Member Team covers its player’s medical and dental fees while the player is a player for the Club, under the comprehensive Hockey Canada National Insurance Program, including any specific protective or rehabilitation equipment ie. knee brace.
  • Each Member Team provides an annual premium of up to $500 for providing 24-hour 12-month on or off-ice career-ending insurance.
  • Each team provides the players’ transportation cost each year for reporting to Training Camp from the player’s home, to and from the player’s home for the Christmas break, and to the player’s home after the player’s academic or athletic year.
  • Each player is provided with game tickets for his parents and family.

Guelph Storm Environment

Caring for our players on and off the ice is part of making Guelph a ‘home away from home’.  Before Guelph Storm billet families open their houses to our players, each application is carefully reviewed before our team conducts a phone interview and site check to ensure that each player has a safe and stable environment to encourage their development away from the Sleeman Centre.

• All players shall receive an expense reimbursement as per league policy.
• State-of-the-art arena and training facilities to serve in the best interest of player development and safety.
• Team Bus Policy for a safe and positive environment.
• Billeting of players
  • All prospective families are screened through an interview process.
  • All prospective families have a criminal background check completed.
  • Players are billeted in a safe, comfortable family environment that is pre-approved by the player and his parents.
• Players are housed in quality hotels for road trips.
• A restricted trading period during the holiday season.
• Games officiated with the four-man officiating system to support a positive on-ice environment for players.
• All OHL Games are supported by dedicated off-ice officials.
• Utilization of video replay systems for all games which contribute to supporting the efforts and achievements of players.

Player Safety, Health and Welfare Programs

• Regarded as a hockey leader, the OHL has strict disciplinary and education measures to ensure players can play in a proper on-ice environment to support their successful development as a player.
• Regarded as a hockey leader, the OHL has strict disciplinary and education measures to ensure players can play in a proper on-ice environment to support their successful development as a player.
• On-ice initiatives to curb inappropriate actions include the following:
  • Bullying Policy
  • Fisticuffs Policy
  • Checking to the Head Policy
• Annual presentations and education on playing rules and suspension policies.
• Concussion Management Program.
  • Every player undergoes annual baseline testing to assist in monitoring the player for the standard League return to play protocol.
• Drug Education and Anti-Doping Program provided by the League for a drug-free sport.
  • The program is developed and administered by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).
  • The program includes an annual online education program for players and staff.
  • Random testing according to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines.
• Respect in Sport Program (Harassment and Abuse).
• Diversity Policy.
• Hazing-Zero Tolerance Policy.
• Blood Spill Policy.
• Facial/Head Protection Policy.
• Dentist Fabricated Mouth Guard Policy.
• Tobacco Products Policy.
• Gambling Policy.
• Pornography Policy.
• Throat Protection Policy.
• League and OHL Member Teams partner with Hockey Ministries International.
• Social Networking Policy.