According to the team’s website, Isaac Ratcliffe was named captain of the Guelph Storm for the 2018-19 OHL season. The Philadelphia Flyers’ prospect will be the 28th captain in franchise history.
After he was drafted 15th overall by the Storm in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, Ratcliffe proceeded to record five goals on 70 shots with eight assists and 24 PIMs during the 2015-16 regular season. The 6’5” left winger grew more comfortable with the league during the 2016-17 season, as he accrued 28 goals on 179 shots on goal and 26 helpers in 67 games to earn being the 35th overall selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
As an alternate captain this season, Ratcliffe pumped in 41 goals (tied for sixth in the OHL) on 282 shots on goal (tied for third) and totaled 27 assists for a 68-point campaign in 67 games. In the postseason, Ratcliffe led the Storm with five goals and nine points in their six-game loss to the Kitchener Rangers.
On top of his point production, Ratcliffe has managed to impress the Guelph coaching staff with his approach to practices and games. George Burnett, the Storm’s head coach, on today’s news:
“Isaac is a terrific ambassador for our team in the community, and is the ideal person to lead our team in 2018-19,” said Burnett.
“His work habits on the ice and in the gym set an excellent example for everyone in our organization. Through his hard work and dedication, he has emerged as one of the elite players in the Ontario Hockey League.”
Flyers GM Ron Hextall made a bold move on the second day of the 2017 draft to acquire Ratcliffe, as he packaged three picks (44th overall, 75th overall, and 108th overall) to move up nine spots to grab the towering skater. So far the move looks to be paying off, as Ratcliffe is one of the five draft picks from the Orange and Black’s 2017 draft class to have already signed their entry-level contract and seemingly is taking great strides in his game each day.
