OHL Guelph Storm

Storm to Honour Jeff O'Neill November 21st

November 10, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release


The Guelph Storm Hockey Club announced today that they will formally honour Jeff O'Neill's #92 in a tribute to the former Storm forward who wore the number from 1992-1995 before graduating to the NHL where went on to play 821 games over 11 seasons with the Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs. #92 will be raised to the rafters of the Sleeman Centre in an on-ice ceremony prior to the home game versus the Kitchener Rangers on Saturday, November 21st at 4 pm.

O'Neill is the franchise's only first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection. He won OHL Rookie of the Year in 1992-93 scoring 79 points in 65 games. As the all-time leading scorer for the Storm, the King City native owns a number of franchise records including career points, single season points and single season assists.

"I think that it is very appropriate that in our 25th Anniversary year, the Storm start the tradition of honouring their most illustrious alumni", GM Mike Kelly proclaimed. "While there are many former Storm players who deserved serious consideration to be the first player honoured by the team, Jeff O'Neill is, in my humble opinion, the obvious and best choice. From the moment he stepped on the ice as a 16 year old, he was one of the elite players in the OHL. Even in his rookie year, Jeff played against and often dominated, 18 and 19 year old OHL and soon to be NHL Stars. From his first game as a 16 year old, to this last as an 18 year old, no one who has ever donned a Guelph Storm sweater has played at such a consistently elite level. A franchise that struggled in it's inaugural season in Guelph, and for 10 years previous as the Toronto Marlies and Dukes of Hamilton, needed a star to build around, both on and off the ice. Jeff O'Neill provided that star power and credibility that the team and community desperately needed. Jeff's accomplishments in Guelph and beyond, speak for themselves. As much success as Jeff has had over the years, Jeff and his mom and dad have consistently been some of the very best goodwill ambassadors that the Storm and the city of Guelph, could ever ask for."

O'Neill's #92 will be deemed an 'honoured' number in the pre-game ceremony. By not retiring sweaters the team is given the flexibility of celebrating more distinguished Storm alumni from all generations than would be the case if the numbers were retired and taken out of circulation.

The only number retired by the Storm is the #18. Officially retired in 2008, the number was worn by the late Paul Fendley who passed away after a fatal on-ice accident in 1972.

The game will be the hockey club's first homecoming game for Storm alumni and their families. All former players and their families will be invited to attend the November 21st game in several suites hosted by the Storm.

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