The Sarnia Sting have traded forward Max Namestnikov to the Guelph Storm in exchange for forward Sasha Pastujov.
The Sting also sent Guelph a 2nd round draft pick in 2023, a 3rd round pick in 2024, and 5th round selections in 2025 and 2026.
Pastujov, a Bradenton, Florida native, was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the 3rd round, 66th overall in the 2021 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft.
He recorded 34 goals and 42 assists for a total 76 points through 65 regular season games played as an 18-year-old rookie with the Guelph Storm last season. This year, he has 11 goals and eight assists in 14 games.
He was selected to the 2022 USA Hockey World Junior Championship roster this past summer.
Sting General Manager Dylan Seca commented on Thursday's news.
"To bring in a player of this caliber is never easy, while you’re thrilled to add the talent, it means we lose a member of our group," said Seca. "Max is a fantastic young player with a bright future in this league, but we’re committed to winning here in Sarnia this season. Sasha is a goal scorer who is going to help our powerplay and is a competitor who thrives on the big stage. This injects more talent into our group. It’s been a focal point of ours since we broke camp. We would like to welcome Sasha and the Pastujov family to Sting Nation!"
Meanwhile, Namestnikov was originally selected by the Sting with the 3rd overall pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.
Through 86 games played with the club, the Wolverine Lake, Michigan native tallied 20 goals and 27 assists for a total of 47 points.