PETES DEAL FOR ELITE DEFENCEMAN
Storm shell Petes 6-1 in match just hours after the same two teams swung blockbuster trade
The Peterborough Petes have swung a blockbuster trade for Guelph Storm defenceman Ryan Merkley, the first overall pick in the 2016 Ontario Hockey League draft who was the 2016-17 OHL rookie of the year. Merkley, 18, is signed to an entry-level deal with the San Jose Sharks, who drafted him in the first round, 21st overall, in the June NHL draft. To get Merkley, the Petes gave up forward Pavel Gogolev, their 2016 first round pick, and five conditional draft picks. Neither player was in the lineup when the Petes faced the Storm on Friday night.
GUELPH — The Peterborough Petes didn’t get the win but they did leave Guelph with Ryan Merkley.
The Petes obtained the OHL’s highest scoring defenceman in a major trade with the Storm just hours before losing 6-1 to Guelph at the Sleeman Centre on Friday night.
To get Merkley the Petes gave up former 30-goal scorer Pavel Gogolev, the Petes’ compensatory 2019 second-round draft pick, Windsor’s 2021 third-round pick and three conditional picks including the Petes 2020 fourth, 2023 second and 2024 third. The latter picks are conditional on Merkley and Gogolev playing in the OHL next season.
As part of the trade neither player played Friday. Merkley will debut for the Petes at 2:05 p.m. Sunday when they host the Ottawa 67’s at the Memorial Centre.
Merkley was the first-overall pick in the 2016 OHL draft seven spots ahead of Gogolev. Merkley is believed to be the first OHL first-overall pick to ever play for the Petes. He leads all OHL defencemen this season with 39 points (5g, 34a) with a +5 rating in 28 games. Gogolev had seven goals and 19 points in 29 games and is a -13.
Merkley will not only help a struggling Petes power play he is the type of plyer Petes GM Mike Oke said head coach Rob Wilson was looking for on his blue-line.
“Rob likes the idea of playing a certain style and that style required certain players of different characteristics,” Oke said. “One of the players who displayed the types of characteristics that would help us have success is an elite offensive defenceman. Quite frankly, we think Ryan Merkley is the elite of the elite in the Ontario Hockey League.”
“I’m excited,” Merkley said. “Obviously Peterborough wanted me. It’s tough leaving the boys. I’ve built relationships with these guys for three years. It will be tough leaving.”
Merkley didn’t ask for a trade nor did Gogolev.
“It was a complete surprise,” Merkley said.
When asked why Guelph was willing to move a player of Merkley’s calibre, Oke said Storm coach/GM George Burnett would have to answer that question. Burnett couldn’t be reached for comment by deadline.
“I know they were looking to add a scoring forward and certainly in Pavel Gogolev that’s exactly what they’re going to get,” Oke said. “I wasn’t eager to give up Pavel because he is strong offensively but Guelph was adamant if we were going to get something done he had to be part of the package.”
Merkley, born in 2000, was selected in the first round, 21st overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the club in July. Gogolev was passed over in the NHL draft and was invited to Detroit Red Wings training camp.
Merkley, a Mississauga native, is in his third OHL season. The 5’11,” 163-pounder has recorded 30 goals, 131 assists, and 161 points in 153 games with Guelph. The 2016-17 OHL Rookie of the Year represented Canada at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship (fifth place), the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Tournament (gold), the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada Red, silver) and the 2016 Youth Olympic
Games (silver). He won the Jack Ferguson award as the first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection.
Gogolev took to Twitter on Friday night to thank his billets “who made me feel comfortable and made me feel at home.”
“Thanks to all of my teammates. Good luck, boys!”
“Pavel is an excellent combination of size and skill and is a proven goal scorer,” Storm general manager George Burnett stated in a press release. “To have this player in our lineup for the coming seasons is exciting for our organization.”
“Ryan’s been a tremendous player for the Guelph Storm for the past two and a half seasons,” Burnett stated. “We wish him well with his new opportunity in Peterborough.”
On the ice, Guelph scored three second period goals to take control of a close game.
Cameron Butler had the lone goal of the first period chipping a Declan Chisholm rebound past Storm goalie Anthony Popovic.
Liam Hawel tied it on a shot through traffic that beat rookie goalie Tye Austin, making his fourth OHL start, on a power play 10:24 into the second. Peterborough native Cedric Ralph converted a rebound 35 seconds later. Nate Schnarr scored with 1:50 left in the period for a 3-1 Guelph lead.
Hawel scored again on a power play 12:09 into the third. Keegan Stevenson added two late goals.
NOTE: The three stars were 1. Liam Hawel (G); 2. Nate Schnarr (G); 3. Dmitri Samorukov (G)… Hardest working Pete was Cameron Butler.