The Barrie Colts have acquired defenceman Declan McNally from the Guelph Storm, ending a brief standoff between Guelph and its 2026 first-round selection.
McNally, selected seventh overall by the Storm in June’s OHL Priority Selection, did not report to Guelph’s training camp after his representatives raised concerns about the opportunity available on a veteran-heavy Storm blue line. Guelph is preparing to host the 2027 Memorial Cup and currently has significant experience returning on defence.
The Storm moved McNally’s rights to Barrie on August 26 in exchange for six future draft selections:
- Sarnia’s second-round pick in 2028
- Barrie’s second-round pick in 2030
- Brantford’s third-round pick in 2028
- Barrie’s third-round pick in 2030
- Barrie’s fourth-round pick in 2029
- Sault Ste. Marie’s fifth-round pick in 2027
Guelph will also receive a compensatory first-round selection, currently eighth overall, in the 2027 OHL Priority Selection.
Opportunity at the centre of McNally’s decision
McNally’s decision not to report was not completely unexpected.
The Storm acknowledged that his representatives had expressed concerns before the draft regarding how much opportunity would be available in Guelph because of the number of returning veteran defencemen. Despite those concerns, general manager George Burnett said the organization believed it had a responsibility to select the best player available with the seventh pick.
For McNally, the move to Barrie could provide a considerably different situation.
The Colts are assembling a younger defensive core, and general manager Marty Williamson described McNally as a potential “corner piece” for the organization. Williamson also said Barrie’s needs aligned well with what McNally was looking for in terms of opportunity.
The 6-foot-5 left-shot defenceman recorded seven goals and 26 assists for 33 points in 59 games with the Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA program last season. He added four points in five games at the 2026 OHL Cup and was invited to Canada’s national under-17 development camp this summer.
A trade that could work for both sides
For Guelph, losing a seventh-overall selection before he ever played a game is hardly the outcome envisioned on draft night.
However, the Storm now receive six future selections along with a compensatory first-round pick in 2027, giving the organization additional assets while it focuses on a roster designed to contend during its Memorial Cup host season.
Barrie, meanwhile, lands one of the top prospects from the 2026 draft without having to surrender a current roster player.
McNally now joins fellow 2026 first-round defenceman Lucas Matheson as part of a young Colts blue line the organization hopes can develop together over the coming seasons.
For McNally, the question will now shift from where he will play to how quickly he can establish himself at the OHL level.
After an unusual start to his major junior career, he’ll get that opportunity in Barrie.