For a 16 or 17 year old player stepping out of his age group for the first time to compete against players up to four years older in junior, the transition can reveal a lot about his game.  When a scout eyes a player in midget, his lack of size can be covered up with speed, or his below average skating skills can be hidden by his size.  Taking another look at him against 19 and 20 year olds in junior that are faster and stronger, is a far better measure of the prospect’s potential. 

Storm 2009 picks Carter Sandlak and Zack Mitchell, will make this transition under the watchful eye of Jason Brooks and his staff.  For 6th round picks Mac Nichol and Ryan Horvat, their transition will also come under the watchful eye of Brooks and his staff.  However, in the case of Nichol and Horvat, the Brooks that they will play for is Mike Brooks, brother of the Storm bench boss and the Head Coach and Assistant GM of the Listowel Cyclones in Midwestern Jr. B.

Selected by the Storm from the Huron-Perth Lakers, Nichol was the first of three Guelph picks in the 6th round of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection.  The 5-10 blueliner will stay close to home for Junior B when he plays for his hometown Cyclones.  With five games under his belt with the Cyclones last year as a call-up, Nichol already got a small taste of junior hockey.  He also had a very small taste of Storm hockey when he practiced with the club last winter at an off-site practice in Listowel. 

The Storm’s Brooks describes Mac as “a very solid 2-way defenceman, who plays his position very well.  He is good defensively, with a good stick and mobility.  Offensively he makes a good first pass and knows when to join the offensive attack.  He has great character, and leadership qualities.”

Taken seven picks after Nichol was forward Ryan Horvat.  The Simcoe, Ontario native and former captain of the Brantford 99ers picked up 47 points last season in 61 games. 
 
“He is a character kid with great leadership qualities, a tireless worker who plays a hard-nosed game,” offered the Storm Coach about Horvat.  “He is good along the walls and pays a price going to the net.”

Playing and practicing for a full season in Junior B with older teammates will only help the development of the pair.  While the Storm hockey staff will keep a close eye on each of the 18 players selected in 2009, it’s safe to say that Nichol and Horvat will get a few extra looks playing for Brooks’ brother and in his hometown of Listowel.  Whether the extra attention is good or bad will depend on the development of the pair.

While both players have their strengths, the 2009/10 season should be huge in their continued development as they try to improve a few weak spots to make the step from Junior B to the OHL.

“Mac can improve his game by getting stronger to play at the next level, and he needs to work on developing his shot, which will come with added strength,” Brooks said about his defenceman prospect. 

For Horvat, Brooks sees some of the same areas for improvement in the young forward’s game.  “I’d like to see Ryan continue to work on his strength too.”  About his first season of junior, the Storm GM and Head Coach added “Ryan can work on his skating and puck skills with the Cyclones and understanding the position of the game.”

Nichol and Horvat will play at the Sleeman Centre a few times this season against Guelph’s Jr. B Hurricanes.  For the duo, they’ll hope that one year of seasoning with the Cyclones, will help them to play here full-time in future seasons as members of the Guelph Storm.  

Through the first few months of the 2009/10 season, Horvat and Nichol are both playing well for the Cyclones.  Horvat sits 9th in team scoring with 4 goals and 9 assists, while Nichol's 9 points rank 3rd among Cyclones defencemen.