Friday, August 19, 2011

Storm Signs Ben Harpur

Press Release

The Guelph Storm Hockey Club announced today that Ben Harpur, the team's 3rd round pick in 2011, has signed an Ontario Hockey League contract with the team.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake native played both forward and defence last year picking up 18 points and 111 penalty minutes in 43 games for the Niagara Falls Canucks. The 6’5, 200 pound defenceman started the 2010-2011 season as a right winger, but moved to the blueline in December. Along with fellow Storm picks Jason Dickinson, Brody Milne and Adam Moodie, the 16 year old competed at the OMHA Under-17 Program of Excellence Final Camp at the University of Guelph in May.

“Ben has exceptional talent to go with his 6’ 5”, 200 pound frame”, Vice President and GM Mike Kelly said. “He possesses above average skating ability, good puck skills and hockey sense. We expect Ben to be a future cornerstone of our defence corp.”

With the signing of Harpur, Kelly indicated that there is one additional underage (1995 born) roster spot open on this year’s team. As such, he expects there to be fierce competition from the other 13 players drafted in last May’s OHL Priority Selection. Underage players who are not on the opening roster are eligible to play up to 10 games with the Storm prior to January 10th, and then they can join the Storm later in the season once their midget and/or junior season is completed.

Harpur will join the rest of the Storm when training camp opens at the Sleeman Centre on August 29th. Tickets for all Storm pre-season and regular season games will go on sale on Monday, August 22nd starting at noon.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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