Serlin will forgo a chance to play for a Memorial Cup in order to head off to play for Rensselaer Polytechnic.
Guelph Storm forward Leo Serlin will forgo his potential overage season for the Memorial Cup hosts to head to play NCAA hockey for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Serlin, 20, was a fifth-round pick to the Storm in the 2022 OHL draft, and has played in each of the past three seasons with the club.
Last year was a real breakout for the Toronto native, as he put up 41 (15+26) points in 68 games, more than doubling his previous career high as he took a bigger role on a developing Guelph team.
Leo Serlin will skip out on a guaranteed Memorial Cup appearance. (Photo: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images)This season, he seemed poised to hold one of Guelph's three overage spots, alongside acquired goaltender Ben Hrebik and assistant captain Rowan Topp, but Serlin will choose to depart for the college route instead.
On Guelph's hand, this means they'll need to fill this overage spot somehow. Given the bevy of draft picks they just acquired in the Declan McNally trade, they'll have a place to deal from.
But, it would be rash to try and replace Serlin so quickly. This is already a strong roster as it is, and it might be wiser to get into the season, see what type of profile they want to add to this group, and pull the trigger when the time is right.
Serlin isn't the first Storm player to leave the team this summer, either. Quinn Beauchesne departed the team earlier in the off-season to head to Boston College early, which left a hole on the blue line that's been replaced in part by Vladimir Dravecky.
The 2026-27 season is just starting, and GM George Burnett will continue to be busy polishing up his Memorial Cup team as the year progresses.
Never want to miss out on any OHL news? Make sure to bookmark THN's OHL site.
Also follow @roryyarthur and @AustinReporting on X/Twitter for more updates.
Read more
