Cam Allen is back, and he will suit up for his first game of the season tonight for the Guelph Storm.
Guelph Storm defenceman Cam Allen will make his season debut tonight at home against the Sarnia Sting.
Cam Allen has hit more bumps in the road in the last two seasons than anyone else, and tonight he begins his journey to re-right that ship.
Back when he was drafted third overall in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Allen had a ton of hype and expectations surrounding him. In his rookie season, he delivered.
As a rookie defenceman, Allen put up 37 points in 65 games and played some valuable minutes for the Storm. Allen's combination of smooth-skating, vision, and physical edge made him very valuable. He was paired alongside 2004-born defender Michael Buchinger for the majority of that season.
Allen was set to make waves in his draft year. If his rookie season was that good, then his NHL draft-eligible season was going to be even more exciting.
Unfortunately, it didn't go that way for Allen. Guelph was a rebuilding team. As his team took a step back, Allen took a step back too.
The amount of responsibility he received last season was very heavy, and it showed to be too heavy for Allen to handle. Allen was still an effective defender last season, but he didn't take any steps forward and he was getting exposed against top matchups and as a top pair defender on his team.
Being said that, the Washington Capitals might have one of the best steals in the draft. The Capitals drafted Cam Allen in the 5th round, 136th overall.
Allen was forced to have surgery this past August, and hasn't been able to get back on the ice to prove himself since.
Tonight, he gets that opportunity.
Allen has the potential to be a very good top pair defender at the major junior level, and if he can show that, he will go on to have a professional career.
Allen's new journey starts tonight, as he will look to start it on a high note against the Sarnia Sting at home.