By Paul Osborne, Guelph Tribune

In this reporter’s humble opinion, the future captain of the Guelph Storm wears number four on his back.

The true value of 17-year-old Matt Finn wasn’t cemented until he missed five straight games over the past two weeks.

During that span, the Storm lost four of those contests. Finn returned to the line-up last Friday night and was instrumental in the team’s 4-2 win over Oshawa, and was solid again the following night when they downed Erie 5-0.

He had two assists in each game and played close to 30 minutes.

The best news is he woke up Sunday morning feeling no soreness in his previously pulled groin and should be back for the long haul now.

As a 16-year-old, even he admits to being a little pudgy and out of shape.

“Yeah last year I thought I was in good enough shape but I wasn’t,” Finn said.  “I met with the coaches and  Mr. Kelly (Storm vice president general manager Mike Kelly) after the season and they were adamant that I get into better shape.  I was 205 last year but am now 194 pounds.  I’m leaner and a lot stronger from the inside out.”

Finn has also picked up his offensive game. Last year he played in the offensive shadow of overage defenceman Sam Lofquist.  He didn’t see a whole lot of time on the power play.

“Last year I would play five or 10 minutes a game if I was lucky, and now it’s upwards of 30 minutes” said the native of Toronto.

“It is nice to know you have the trust of the coaches and your teammates. Confidence is such a big part of hockey – it gives you the mental advantage on the ice and I think that is very important.

“I love being the go-to guy and being the type of guy my teammates can lean on.  I enjoy the pressure that comes with that.”

This is Finn’s NHL draft year and he is already on the scouts’ radar.  The latest Central Scouting ratings were revealed last week and Finn was ranked 15th in the Ontario Hockey League.  Teammate Scott Kosmachuk was rated eighth overall.

“I’d obviously like to go as high as possible, and I hope there is a chance I can go in the first round if I keep progressing and playing the way I’ve been playing,” he said, adding he’d “go through the roof” if that actually came to be.

What is most encouraging for Storm fans is the fact he seems to be getting better with almost every game. Upon his return Friday night the entire club looked stronger.  He took over important minutes, twice had impressive offensive rushes and as coach Scott Walker pointed out, he made just as many good plays in the defensive end of the ice.

Finn now has 16 points in 16 games this season.  A point a game pace is impressive for any player at this level, but for a 17-year-old defenceman it is eye-popping.

He may not be in Drew Doughty’s offensive stratosphere (21 goals and 53 assists in his second year), but he is very comparable with a young Kevin Dallman who had 13 goals and 46 assists in his sophomore season.

When asked to describe the difference he feels on the ice this year compared to his rookie season he had a pretty good analogy.

“In your first year it’s like learning to ride your two-wheeler bike,” he said adding you fall off lots of times before you finally get it.  “Then in your second year you get on, start riding and graduate to doing tricks.”

In Finn’s case it is much more about hard work and skill than it is tricks. He plays with composure beyond his years and seems to be in control every time he has the puck on his stick.

He is rarely without a smile and I truly believe, the next captain of the Guelph Storm.

From the Land of Oz . . . Zack Mitchell had the hat trick for the Storm in their win over Oshawa.  Brock McGinn had two goals and Garret Sparks the shutout in the Storm’s win over Erie . . . The Storm has 10 wins, seven losses, one overtime loss and three shootout losses this season. They are at Kitchener (14-7-1-0) tonight for a 7 p.m. game. On Friday, Guelph hosts Belleville (13-9-0-0) at 7:30 p.m.