Kirsty Budd, Guelph Storm Staff

GuelphStorm.com had a chance to interview the alumni that attended the Storm’s alumni weekend on June  11 and 12. Thirty-six former players, including 10 who do or did skate in the NHL at one point, took part in the game. Several other alumni also watched the game from behind the bench. The weekend also included a BBQ and alumni-only banquet.  The proceeds from the game went to several local charities, including the Guelph Wish Fund for Children.

Guelph has always been Morgan McCormick’s hometown, but the trip home for the alumni game was an especially long one this year as he was coming from the UK.

McCormick now lives and works across the pond but he still holds a special spot in his heart for Storm city. “Guelph helped to teach me a lot about respect and ambassadorship. The coaches focused on how we carried and represented ourselves,” he said. “They wanted us to be first class hockey players and citizens.”

McCormick, who had to take his equipment out of long-term storage for the game, noted that he missed the strong friendships and bonds he made during his time in Guelph. “We all ended up scattered around so I’m really looking forward to catching up with everyone.”

One of McCormick’s favourite memories of his time with the Storm was as captain during 2001-02 when Guelph hosted the Memorial Cup. “To be captain during that time with all of the buzz in your hometown was a really special experience.”

When asked what the Guelph Storm means to him, McCormick replied that to him Guelph was synonymous with community. “The Storm especially was a symbol of the community pride, it is Guelph and everyone is a part of it.”

McCormick’s advice to younger players is that, “Talent doesn’t mean everything. What matters is persistence and passion. If you can marry the two, then you have an unstoppable force.”

“Work as hard as possible, heart can triumph over talent”.