By Tony Saxon, Guelph Mercury

Chadd Bauman has waited a long time to make his Guelph Storm debut.

Originally drafted by the Storm in the fourth round of the 2011 draft, Bauman, 17, spent all of last season playing junior B with the Guelph Hurricanes. After making the team in training camp, he was a healthy scratch for the team’s first two games.

Coach Scott Walker confirmed Thursday that Bauman will play this weekend, likely Friday at home when the Owen Sound Attack visit or Sunday in London as the Storm tries to atone for an 8-2 drubbing by the Knights last Sunday.

“I expect him to be excited and nervous but we just want him to keep it simple,” coach Scott Walker said. “He’s not a flashy player anyway, so we just want him to keep opponents outside, get pucks out of our end and clear the front of the net.”

There is little doubt what the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Bauman’s strengths as a player are. To call him a stay-at-home defenceman might be an understatement. He also brings toughness.

In 46 games with the Hurricanes last season he had just three assists and 87 penalty minutes.

“I’m very excited. My first OHL game, it’s going to be awesome,” said Bauman, who hails from Conestogo. “All that practice is finally paying off.”

Bauman knew after being drafted that he was likely spending his first year of junior hockey at the junior B level.

“I wasn’t quite ready for the next level that first year. The year of junior B helped me get where I am now. I learned a lot from the coaches there,” he said.

“I feel I’m a much better player now. I’m a lot more confident with everything.”

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