The Guelph Storm recently got back their 2024-25 captain, Jett Luchanko, from the Philadelphia Flyers. However, they also named Charlie Paquette the team’s new captain at the start of the season.
Well, on Thursday, the Storm organization announced after a discussion with both players that both Luchanko and Paquette will be named co-captains for the rest of the season.
The last time Guelph had co-captains was during the 2003-04 season, when Martin St. Pierre and Niko Tuomi shared the duties.
“Both players bring outstanding leadership qualities on and off the ice and will share the responsibilities of guiding our group moving forward. Together they represent what we want to be - a team that works, competes, and sticks together through everything,” said Storm Head Coach Cory Stillman via the team’s press release.
Paquette and Luchanko have different playstyles that can act as infectious leaders on the ice. Luchanko is extremely detailed and leads by playing the right way (full 200-foot effort), works hard, and conducts himself as a professional hockey player would. Paquette is more of a robust leader. Think Sam Bennett, for example, he has an appetite to work inside the grimy areas of the ice, increase the physical tempo of a game, while making his presence known by throwing heavy hits.
Paquette is also an excellent example of sticking with it. He was a high draft pick (31st overall in 2021) by the organization, but it took time for him to become a reliable top-six forward. He’s been with the Storm organization his entire OHL career, made the team as a 16-year-old right after his draft year, and slowly progressed over the years to become an impactful forward for the team now.
Paquette has also been incredibly durable, having played all 68 games in the last three seasons. He ranks fifth all-time in Guelph’s history for games played. He will tie Scott Kosmachuk when he wears the Storm jersey for their next game.
There’s still the possibility that Luchanko is dealt before January’s trade deadline. OHL playoff-contending teams will be calling Guelph constantly over the next two months, inquiring about what the organization’s plans are with the top Philadelphia prospect. Oshawa Generals’ captain Ben Danford was just traded to Brantford, so I wouldn’t rule out a Luchanko deal even with the co-captaincy announcement.
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