By Paul Osborne, Guelph Tribune

Michael Latta, Taylor Beck, Peter Holland and Sam Lofquist will all be key members of the Guelph Storm this season but no one will be more important than goaltender Brandon Foote.  As if he was sending a message to his teammates, there he was in the opening scrimmage of training camp posting a shutout.

“I couldn’t even walk at this time last year” he said shaking his head.  “I had just been told I needed surgery and would likely be out for five months.”

Foote would have hip surgery October 5th and then watch his teammates fall apart in November and December, almost eliminating themselves from the playoffs.  It was a miserable experience but in hindsight it might have had its benefits.

“I think about that all the time” said the Whitby native.  “Laying in a bed with my crutches beside me watching the guys struggle was hard but in a way it made me more determined to get back.”

And back he roared, leading the team on a late season surge that saw them make the playoffs and finish relatively strong.

Preparation for this season has been ongoing all summer.  He spend time working with goaltending coach Mike Parson.

“I’m so thankful to have Mike as a coach” said Foote.  “He took me into his home for a few weeks this summer to live with his family.  They fed me, Mike set-up ice time for me and we worked hard on the ice top get ready.  When I first came to Guelph from Brampton (in a trade for Thomas McCollum) I didn’t really know how to compete.  Mike has taught me that and it has made a big difference.”

“But he still needs to improve his mental toughness this season” says Parson.  “This summer I told him it is his job to clean up the mess, he can’t blame others.  If his defencemen were perfect, he wouldn’t have a job.  As a player at this level you can never be satisfied until you raise the Memorial Cup.”

You could see it from the very first shot Foote faced in the first scrimmage last Wednesday – a determination and competitiveness that wasn’t there when he arrived two years ago.  He is also competing for an NHL contract.  He has been invited as a free agent to the Ottawa Senators camp, which will be held in Kitchener.

“I think everyone who plays hockey would like to play in the NHL but I want to win for the guys in our (Guelph) locker room too” he said.  “There are a lot of older guys and we have come into camp knowing this is a big year us all.  We are expecting to start off a lot better than we did last year and we are going for the Memorial Cup.”

Foote may just be the most crucial piece of the puzzle this season.

From the Land of Oz….The Storm obtained veteran defenceman Daniel Maggio from the Sudbury Wolves for two second round picks, a fifth round pick and the rights to goaltender Joel Vienneau.  If Vienneau makes the Wolves the Storm will get a couple of mid-round picks back.  Maggio is a tough customer with a little offence in his stick.  His acquisition helps solidify the back end….Taylor Beck signed a three-year entry deal with the Nashville Predators, however it is expected he’ll spend the year with the Storm.