Last Updated:  2010 Jan 17
Each player is projected on making it to
the NHA on a grading scale of 1-10.
PLAYER LEGEND - (HIGHLIGHT COLOUR DEFINES LEAGUE PLAYING IN)

Playing in the N.H.A.
Playing in the N.H.A. Farm League
Playing in N.A. Development League (Prospect)
Playing in the NCAA or other Amateur League (Prospect)
Playing in Europe (Prospect)
Summerside Storm

Organization Ranking  (8)
              Change  (+1)
Top Prospects
Other Notables
Graduated
Summary Strength Even Weakness
       
Goaltending     X
Defense XX    
Centers     X
Wingers X    
Drafting   X  
Draft Picks     XX
Left Wing Center Right Wing
1) David Booth  7.0 A 1)  Ondrej Roman  7.0 C 1)  Kyle Okposo  8.0 B
2)  Ben Eager  6.5 B 2) Kyle Brodziak  6.0 B 2)  David Clarkson  6.0 B
  3) Matt Rust  6.5 C 3)  Kris Chucko  6.0 B
  4)  Cody Almond  6.5 C 4)  Lauri Tukonen  7.0 D
  5)  Cody Bass  5.5 B 5) Mike S. Brown  5.0 A
  6)  Jeremy Colliton  6.5 D 6)  Ryan O'Marra  6.0 D
  7)  Arsi Piispanen  6.5 F 7)  Alex Bourret  6.0 D
    8)  Jonathan Ferland  6.0 D
     
Defense (L) Defense (R) Goaltenders
1)  Marc Staal  8.0 B 1)  Brian Lee  7.0 B 1)  Alex Kangas  7.0 C
2)  Jack Johnson  8.5 C 2)  Kevin Klein  7.0 B 2)  Jeff Zatkoff  6.5 C
3)  Justin Falk  6.5 C 3)  Cody Franson  7.0 B 3)  Mike Brodeur  6.0 C
4)  Taylor Ellington  6.5 C 4)  David Fischer  7.0 C 4)  Jeff Glass  6.5 D
5)  Michael Funk  6.5 C   5)  Kevin Nastiuk  6.5 D
6)  Kevin Quick  7.0 D   6)  Jean-Philippe Levasseur  7.0 F
7) Derek Meech  5.5 B    
8)  Gord Baldwin  6.0 C    
9)  Wes O'Neill  6.0 D    
     
Wilmot
Wolf Pack
Draft Review  -  Summerside Storm                                                                                                          by Robert Michaud

Transactions (leading up to and throughout the draft):

     OUT:  Donald Brashear (LW); 2nd Round Selection (51st OV)

     IN:      Keith Carney (D); Derek Meech (D); 5th Round Selection (117th OV)

Leading up to the draft the Storm were involved in two transactions.  They moved pugilistic winger Donald Brasheer and a 2nd round draft selection for Keith Carney, Derek Meech and a late round pick.  Clearly the organization was looking to add a veteran to their blueline corps, and you can't really go wrong with the likes of Keith Carney; Meech is also a serviceable defender, though not quite on par with what Carney can provide.  It remains to be seen what impact this will have on the team next season, but it is nice to see the Storm add a leader to their defense with Brian Leetch getting closer and closer to retirement.

Organizational Weaknesses (prior to Draft):
     Top 6 wingers; Goaltending prospects; Offensive defensemen

NHA Draft Preview Prediction:     No 1st Round Selection
Actual Result:                                 No 1st Round Selection

2007 NHA Entry Draft Selections
     Ondrej Roman, C         (WHL)           [3rd Round (66th Overall)]
     Justin Falk, D               (WHL)           [3rd Round (69th Overall)]
     Taylor Ellington, D     (WHL)           [3rd Round (70th Overall)]
     Matt Rust, C                (USNTDP)     [5th Round (115th Overall)]
     Cody Almond, C          (WHL)           [5th Round (117th OVerall)]

This season's entry draft was easily the weakest for Summerside in terms of actual talent gained; this was the first time in NHA history that the Storm were not heavily involved in the first two rounds of the entry draft, in fact, they did not make a selection in either of the first two rounds in Chicago.  Of the attained assets, there were no real stand-out talents gained here but the Storm are not without an already very impressive youth system, so this isn't something for Summerside fans to worry much over.  As already stated, this was an unusual draft year considering the standards set by previous Storm management.  This is a team that generally dominates the early rounds of the draft, though this season they were barely a shade of their former drafting stature.  This is a clear indication of the change in management as the new GM appears intent on improving the team's fortunes in the present, as opposed to the future.  However you slice it this should be a dangerous team in a few seasons.

Possible draft-day steals:     Too early to predict
   1)  Marc Staal, D
        Acquired:  7th OV, '05 Draft
   2)  Kyle Okposo, RW/LW
        Acquired:  6th OV, '06 Draft
   3)  Jack Johnson, D
        Acquired:  3rd OV, '05 Draft
   4)  David Booth, LW
        Acquired:  40th OV, '04 Draft
   5)  Brian Lee, D
        Acquired:  from Vampyres
   6)  Kevin Klein, D
        Acquired:  from Vampyres
   7)  Cody Franson, D
        Acquired:  from Vampyres
   8)  Ben Eager, LW
        Acquired:  from Whalers
   9)  David Fischer, D
        Acquired:  17th OV, '06 Draft
10)  Ondrej Roman, C
        Acquired:  66th OV, '07 Draft
11)  Alex Kangas, G
        Acquired:  80th OV, '06 Draft
12)  David Clarkson, RW
        Acquired:  from Barracudas
13)  Kyle Brodziak, C
        Acquired:  NHA Dispersal Draft
14)  Kris Chucko, LW
        Acquired:  from Hurricanes
15)  Justin Falk, D
        Acquired:  69th OV, '07 Draft
16)  Taylor Ellington, D
        Acquired:  70th OV, '07 Draft
17)  Matt Rust, C
        Acquired:  115th OV, '07 Draft
18)  Cody Almond, C
        Acquired:  117th OV, '07 Draft
19)  Jeff Zatkoff, G
        Acquired:  62nd OV, '06 Draft
20)  Michael Funk, D
        Acquired:  70th OV, '04 Draft
     Gord Baldwin, D
     Cody Bass, C/RW
     Alex Bourret, RW
     Mike Brodeur, G
     Mike S. Brown, RW/LW
     Jeremy Colliton, C/RW
     Jonathan Ferland, RW
     Jeff Glass, G
     Jean-Philippe Levasseur, G
     Derek Meech, D/LW
     Kevin Nastiuk, G
     Ryan O'Marra, RW/C
     Wes O'Neill, D
     Arsi Piispanen, C/RW
     Kevin Quick, D
     Lauri Tukonen, RW
     David Backes, C
     Jeff Carter, C
     Bryce Lampman, D
     Guillaume Latendresse, RW
     Mike Smith, G
2009/06/01  Summerside Storm - Facing the Future
The Summerside Storm are another one of the young clubs from the Northeastern Division that have been patiently trying to build from within; the club has never tasted post-season action but has used their high draft positions to create a well-stocked system of young talents. The Storm are strong ar most positions and have done a good job of developing their home-grown talents. Interestingly, they have pairs of talented young impact players at almost every position, such as Staal/Getzlaf at center, Ward/Smith in net or Brown/Okposo at right wing; these players are the future of this franchise. Summerside does not have a lot of weaknesses when it comes up-and-coming NHA talents, though they are thin on the left wing side and, despite several talented defense prospects, do not really possess a marquee blueliner.

Left Wing - If there is an area for the Storm to concentrate on going forward, this would be it. David Booth looks like he's going to develop into a very good goal-scoring option but he appears to be the only blue-chipper here; another good young winger would likely be beneficial.

Center - The club doesn't just boast a potentially devastating one-two punch up the middle, instead boasting the likes of three very talented pivots who will all make an impact on the NHA: Eric Staal has the potential to be an extremely formidable force up the middle and only needs to find game-to-game consistency as he matures into his role; Ryan Getzlaf has all the tools needed to become a dominant centerman, and he will push hard to demonstrate to the Storm that he has what it takes tp become their top guy; and Ryan Kesler is a speedy, gritty two-way pivot who can play either the offensive or defensive role as necessary.

Right Wing - On the right wing side, there are a couple of talented players waiting for their opportunities. Dustin Brown is a an all-around talent with good hands and developing leadership skills, while Summerside's recent #6 overall draft selection, Kyle Okposo, is projected to become a top-end power forward after college.

Defense - The Summerside blueline will look drastically different in less than 3 seasons' time. With Marc Staal, Jack Johnson and Brian Lee all pushing for roster spots within a season or two, at least half of the current blueline will be replaced. Staal is the most defense-minded of this trio and Lee the more offensively-inclined, with Johnson possessing the skills to play both ways.

Goaltending - The Storm's netminder of the future, Cam Ward, was brought along a little too quickly by past management and he hasn't seen a lot of success because of the rebuilding squad in front of him; each are factors that could destroy a young goaltender, but Ward has shown good resilience in the tough situation in Summerside and this experience appears to have made him stronger, which bodes well for this team in the coming seasons.
Storm 2006 Draft Review

Storm 2005 Draft Review

Storm 2004 Draft Review