Tony Saxon, Guelph Mercury

The Guelph Storm may not be a Memorial Cup contender as we speak, but the acquisition of Daniel Maggio earlier this week certainly brings them considerably closer.

And if a Memorial Cup isn’t in sight, the water station that is a Western Conference crown certainly is.

The trade for Maggio from the Sudbury Wolves was a huge piece of the puzzle. He immediately becomes the team’s best all-round defenceman.

Given that the deal was made without surrendering any young players, it also creates a ripple effect that allows the team to use its available resources to fill other needs.

Maggio is a 35-minute a game guy who can play physical, move the puck well and be a positive influence in the dressing room. He is also very, very tough.

This does not make the Storm’s defence impregnable. But compare it to any other team in the Western Conference and it’s right there. In fact, when it comes to the team’s top eight or so players overall, they’re as good as anyone.

Also, if the team feels another blueliner is needed for depth during the course of the season, now the team is looking for a second-tier player. They already have a solid top three or four.

Depending on what happens to the overage situation during the course of the year, Maggio’s arrival potentially makes it easier to give up Chris Van Laren or Sam Lofquist if the need at forward were greater and an overager from another team came available.

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