The Guildford Flames reinforced their offensive depth on Wednesday [28 February], with forward Nicolas Ouellet contracted for the remainder of the Elite League season.
Ouellet replaces Austin Glover, who underwent season-ending surgery earlier this month, on Paul Dixon’s active roster.
“It was exceptionally disappointing to get the worst news with Austin who was having very strong year for us,” Dixon said of Guildford’s deadline reshuffle.
“With Austin’s news and the deadline looming a couple of weeks ago, we knew that adding to the roster to keep up some depth was necessary, and we are glad to have been able to get Nick on board before the transfer window closed.
“Nick is a very good skater with good speed and he should bring a new spark of energy to the lineup. He is here now and we look forward to a chance to get him in action.”
Ouellet started the season, his first as a professional, with the ECHL’s Reading Royals, for whom he tallied six points (one goal, five assists) in 24 appearances.
The Canadian previously spent two seasons at the University of Ottawa, recording 18 points (13 goals, five assists) in 32 USports appearances.
The 25-year-old also enjoyed a four-year career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, posting 153 points (82 goals, 71 assists) in 217 appearances for Val-d’Or Foreurs.
Analysis: Nicolas Ouellet addition will help Guildford Flames make final push
The Guildford Flames have already booked their place in the Challenge Cup final and are virtually locked into a favourable playoff berth.
Despite their underwhelming start to the season, the Flames are once again under-the-radar silverware candidates and they had no choice but to replace the injured Austin Glover.
Glover, who joined the Flames as injury cover for Kobe Walker in late October, was a dependable producer for Paul Dixon, with 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) from his first 25 Elite League appearances.
Nicolas Ouellet isn’t a like-for-like replacement for Glover, who thrived as Guildford’s third line centreman, but will still provide useful secondary scoring from the wing in the final weeks of the season.
Nicolas Ouellet, now of the Guildford Flames (Image: Val-d’Or Foreurs)
The 5’7” forward lacks experience at the professional level and was limited to fourth line minutes during his time with the Reading Royals.
Ouellet will use this short-term contract in Guildford as an audition for a roster next season, making him the kind of player who will be extremely dangerous down the stretch.
Paul Dixon, while understandably upset to lose Glover at the deadline, should be pleased with the arrival of another highly-motivated player in Guildford.
