The Manchester Storm have a former Detroit Red Wings prospect on their books.
Centreman Brady Gilmour signed a one-year contract with the Elite League outfit on Thursday [24 July], joining from EHC Freiburg of Germany’s DEL2.
The 26-year-old, a former seventh-round pick of the Red Wings in 2017, is a product of the Ontario Hockey League, in which he scored 134 points (57 goals, 77 assists) in 231 games for the Saginaw Spirit.
Gilmour’s next stop was the University of New Brunswick, for whom he notched 113 points (30 goals, 83 assists) in 102 USports appearances.
Graduating into the ECHL in the final weeks of 2023-24, the Coburg-native notched three points (one goal, two assists) in a seven-game stint with the Toledo Walleye.
Gilmour spent last season in Europe: first with Austria’s Voraarlberg Pioneers, then with German side EHC Freiburg.
The 1999-born forward notched 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 45 appearances for the Pioneers, before recording two points (one goal, one assist) in two outings with Freiburg.
Gilmour is Manchester’s ninth offensive signing of the summer, becoming the tenth Canadian to put pen to paper with the Storm ahead of 2025-26.
“Brady brings speed, playmaking vision, and a high hockey intelligence to the Storm’s offensive unit,” said head coach Cameron Critchlow of the 5-foot-10 centre.
“He has an outstanding hockey pedigree and we’re delighted to bring him on board for the new campaign.”
Analysis: Manchester Storm add dynamic centreman Brady Gilmour
Gilmour’s career includes several bright spots.
Brady Gilmour, Manchester Storm (Image: ICEHL)
He caught fire at the right time as a draft-eligible prospect, tallying a career-high 47 points (26 goals, 21 assists) in 65 OHL appearances in 2016-17.
The Red Wings selected him as a result.
In his final season of USports eligibility, he exploded for 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists) in 30 games played.
His play caught the eye of scouts — and the Walleye handed him his first professional contract.
However, Gilmour isn’t a lock to succeed in Manchester.
His lack of professional experience in North America makes his transition to the Elite League trickier to project.
Gilmour’s seven-game ECHL career doesn’t cary much weight — and his 41-point season in USports is undermined by his age. He was already 24, a veteran by collegiate standards.
Despite those factors, the Storm are right to be excited about their latest addition.
Gilmour was a key performer as the University of New Brunswick won back-to-back national championships, earning his spot on the postseason All-Star Team in 2024.
He plays a responsible, two-way style of hockey, scoring most of his goals around the net.
Like most offensively minded products of the OHL, Gilmour is a strong skater, who posses smart playmaking ability on the cycle and off the rush.
Having lost Alexis D’Aoust, last season’s league-leading finisher, to the Lausitzer Foxes, adding firepower through committee has been an offseason priority for Manchester.
Gilmour is a solid option for their middle-six.
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