Gogolev enjoys a win in his first game in Guelph
Pavel Gogolev finished a meal at East Side Mario’s with teammates Friday and was about to board a bus to Guelph when coach Rob Wilson pulled him aside.
That’s when he learned he’d been traded to the Guelph Storm in a deal that brought Ryan Merkley to Peterborough.
Gogolev didn’t accompany his teammates to Guelph. On Saturday, he made his debut in Guelph’s home ice win over Mississauga.
“It was shocking at first,” said Gogolev. “I didn’t know what to do or how to be. To be excited or happy or sad. Then I thought about it and thought it was a good opportunity for me to start a new chapter with a good team.”
Coming off a 30-goal season, the Petes’ 2016 first-round draft pick hadn’t hit his stride this season. He had seven goals, 19 points and a -13 rating in 29 games.
While many players have thrived in Wilson’s new system, Gogolev was still finding his way and felt his ice time had declined.
“We talked at the start of the year and I really respect him and like his system,” said Gogolev. “I was trying to do what he was telling me to do and to work hard and play the way he wanted me to play. It didn’t work out for me the best.”
Wilson had nothing but praise for Gogolev.
“He’s a great kid,” said Wilson. “They wanted a player like Pav back because we all know he’s an elite scorer. He’ll do great in Guelph and score a ton, but when you make a trade you don’t get anything for free. He’ll be missed here but maybe a new lease on life will be good for him.”
It was tough to say goodbye to his billets. He could only reach out to teammates through social media.
“It’s tough leaving the guys when you’ve been with them for a while but you know it’s hockey and these things happen,” he said.
He’s played with Semyon Der Arguchintsev since they were children in Moscow but Gogolev said it wasn’t easy to leave any of his teammates.
He’s circled Jan. 17 on his calendar, when Guelph plays its lone game in the city this season. “I’ll be excited to be back.”