A Look at Guelph's All-Time Best Defenseman
February 29, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release
Before going on to become one of the most decorated players in hockey, Drew Doughty started making waves on the Guelph Storm's blueline, earning the spot as the franchise's best defenseman.
Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com ---
There are few in the hockey world as decorated as Drew Doughty.
26-years-young and the defenseman boasts an incredible resume in the sport, expanding straight to his first steps into his major junior career.
Drafted fifth overall by the Guelph Storm in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection, Doughty was a notable right from the start - looking nothing like a freshman, but instead, a seasoned veteran ready to make noise. That quality, of course, hasn't changed, sticking with the now Los Angeles Kings blueliner eight years into his National Hockey League career.
Starting the three-year career that cemented Doughty as the best defenseman in Storm history, dressing for 65 games in his rookie campaign, the London, Ontario native potted five goals for a total of 33 points. With that, Doughty was named to the OHL All-Rookie Team in 2006, and would only improve from there.
As a sophomore in 2006-07, the 1989-born defenseman more than doubled his rookie point total, recording 74 points in 67 games while surpassing the 20-goal mark with 21 on the season for a career-high.
Doughty was named to the OHL's First All-Star team with his second-year display, only to follow it up again for a second All-Star recognition in his final season with the Storm in 2007-08. Tallying for a career-best 50 points (12 goals, 37 assists) in 58 games played, the six-foot, 213-pound blueliner wouldn't go unnoticed.
Named to the Canadian Hockey League's First All-Star Team, while also earning the OHL's most outstanding defenseman award, the Max Kaminsky Trophy, in 2008, the NHL's Kings had eyes on Guelph's No. 8, selecting Doughty second overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Jumping straight into the NHL as an 18-year-old, Doughty continued the real-deal pattern, registering 27 points (six goals, 21 assists) in 81 games as a professional rookie. Since then, the Kings' defenseman has recorded 40-plus point seasons four times, falling short of 30 points only once following his rookie campaign with a 22-point total through 48 games in 2013-14.
Nevermind point totals, however, as Doughty's real decorations come in silver and gold. During his time with the Storm, Doughty was called upon to represent Canada at the 2008 World Junior Championship, earning a gold medal for Canada in his second time wearing red and white following the U17 tournament the year prior.
That was just the beginning.
In 2009, fresh off his NHL rookie campaign, Doughty was named to the World Championship team, registering seven points in nine games while earning a silver medal.
A year later, the gold doubled up, serving as a Team Canada Olympian for the first time at the 2010 Olympics.
Two years later in 2012, the Los Angeles Kings earned hockey's most sought after prize - the Stanley Cup - with Doughty lifting it for the first time.
Next would be arguably Doughty's most successful season of hockey, winning his second Olympic gold medal at the Sochi Games, only to conclude the season by lifting the Stanley Cup for the second time in his young career.
Certainly not a bad resume for an NHL defenseman that hasn't even hit double digits in seasons played yet.
Certainly not bad, too, for a kid from London, Ontario that had roads opened to the game of soccer.
A goaltender as a kid, Doughty was considered for a provincial under-14 team, but eventually gave up soccer to focus on hockey.
A decision the Guelph Storm, the Los Angeles Kings, and hockey fans everywhere are surely grateful for.
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