Comrie to Guelph

Press Release

(GUELPH) The Guelph Storm announced that they have acquired defenceman Adam Comrie, the rights to goaltender Matt Hoyle and a 2nd round selection in the 2009 Import Draft from the Saginaw Spirit. In return the Spirit receive forward Josh Shalla, Guelph's 2nd round pick in 2010, Sarnia's 3rd round selection in 2010, Guelph's 4th round pick in 2010, a conditional 8th round pick in 2011 and the Storm's first round pick at the upcoming 2009 Import Draft.

Comrie was selected by the Florida Panthers in the third round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft (80th overall). The 6'4" defenceman will attend the 2009 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp held at Lake Placid this upcoming August. A two year veteran on the Spirit blueline, the Ashburn, VA native finished third on the Spirit in defensive scoring, put up a respectable +13 rating last season and was third in voting for the Hardest Shot in the 2008-09 Coaches Poll.

Hockey's Future described the Storm's newest defenceman as having "great raw talent...a tough player along the boards and in front of his own net. Has a hard, accurate shot and shows excellent determination."

Hoyle was selected by the Kingston Frontenacs in the fifth round of the 2006 OHL Priority Selection. In September of 2007, the 19 year old's rights were traded to the Saginaw Spirit. Having verbally committed to play for Harvard during the 2008-09 season, Hoyle did not report to Saginaw suiting up for the Crimson instead. As a freshman, he played 20 games in the NCAA recording a goals against average of 3.25 and a .897 save percentage. Last season Hoyle was named the ECAC goaltender of the week in November and was also named Rookie of the week on two occasions.

Hockey's Future described Hoyle as "a very strong, focused, goaltender with a lot of potential and all the tools to be successful. Easily would have been a starter for any other team in the league. He reads the game really well, picks up the puck well and his anticipation is just as good. Very dedicated and noted for working just as hard off ice with conditioning as he does on the ice."

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)