November 17, 2022 at 1:33 pm
Sarnia Sting has traded forward Max Namestnikov to the Guelph Storm for forward Sasha Pastujov.
Sting also sent Guelph a second-round pick in 2023, a third-round pick in 2024 and fifth-round picks in 2025 and 2026.
Pastujoff, a native of Bradenton, Fla., was selected in the third round by the Anaheim Ducks with the 66th overall pick in the 2021 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft.
As an 18-year-old rookie last season, he played 65 regular-season games for the Guelph Storm, scoring 34 goals and 42 assists for a total of 76 points. This year, he has 11 goals and 8 assists in 14 games.
He was named to the 2022 USA Hockey World Junior Championships roster last summer.
Sting general manager Dylan Seca commented on Thursday’s news.
“Bringing in players of this caliber is never easy and while you’re happy to have talent like that, it means we lose a member,” Seca said. “Max is a fantastic young player with a bright future in this league, but we are committed to winning in Sagna this season. Sasha is a goalscorer who will help us play a strong role and is a A competitor who has thrived on the big stage. This has injected even more talent into our team. It has been our focus since we broke camp. We welcome Sasha and the Pastujov family to Sting Nation!”
Meanwhile, Namestnikov was originally selected by Sting with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 OHL priority.
In 86 games for the club, the Lake Michigan native scored 20 goals and dished out 27 assists for a total of 47 points.