Grant Spada and Ethan Czata’s friendship was instant.
When the fellow Tampa Bay Lightning 2025 draft picks and Ontario Hockey League players first met at last summer’s development camp, something clicked.
First they were opponents. Then they became friends. Now, they’re teammates.
Their bond is growing further this season following a June OHL trade that saw the 19-year-old Czata dealt to the Guelph Storm. After serving as captain of the Niagara IceDogs, Czata will share the Storm locker room with Spada.
“We met last year at Dev Camp, and we just had a good spark from there,” Spada said.
The timing of the deal lines up at a key time for the franchise—Guelph will host the 2027 Memorial Cup, giving the Bolts prospects a chance to win the crown jewel of junior hockey together.
“I'm pumped,” Spada said of the Memorial Cup. “Czata is here to work with me through that, and we have a good team, so we're all excited. It's gonna be a great year. What's better than doing it in your own barn, right?”
His friend and new teammate shares the feeling.
“To be able to go to the Mem Cup is a dream in junior hockey,” Czata said. “Some players don’t get the chance to go do it…It's probably my last year in junior, so just to get a chance to play the longest season I can and try to win is something that I’m very grateful for.”
Guelph received an automatic bid to the Memorial Cup by hosting the tournament, one year after the organization reached the 2026 OHL Playoffs but suffered a first round exit.
The duo is playing as teammates in Lightning uniforms this month also, as they are among the organization’s draft picks playing in the 2026 Prospect Showcase in North Carolina this week.
Spada, a towering defenseman who isn’t afraid to fight or throw his weight around, collected 75 penalty minutes along with six goals and 21 points last season in Guelph. Czata, meanwhile, has operated at a 20-goal, 50-point pace in each of the past two seasons as Niagara’s captain.
Lightning Assistant General Manager Jeff Tambellini said two prospects preparing for a postseason push side-by-side is a welcomed opportunity.
“It’s a great opportunity for both Ethan and Grant to play together. They’re great kids who have a chance to be a big part of our organization moving forward. We believe that a competitive environment, like the one they’ll get in Guelph, will strengthen their relationship and push them to new limits on and off the ice,” Tambellini said.
“It’s beneficial when our prospects are on top teams that have big goals ahead. For these guys, if we were to draw up the ideal team of them to play on this season, the team hosting the Memorial Cup would be the perfect spot. Our entire staff is excited to watch them play on a top team and play meaningful games in the playoffs. Hopefully, both players build off one another knowing that they're both going to the same NHL organization.”
The Lightning prospects believe one another will play a key role in 2026-27 with the Storm.
When the Storm traded for Czata on June 2, Spada was one of the first people to call his new teammate. The duo met for lunch shortly after and is already preparing for life as teammates.
“His personality, that's going to be a big jump in our room,” Spada said of Czata. “It’s nice to have somebody who was a captain last year for the IceDogs. He’s offensive and defensive. I think he's the best 200-foot player in the league, so it's nice that he's gonna be with me on the same side there.”
Czata noticed Spada’s offensive jump this past season and also referenced the defender as one of the biggest and toughest players around the OHL.
“Obviously he's a big guy, but he's a great guy, great player. Just to have him on my team, someone that when he gets on the ice, it makes it a little bit easier out there.”
The Memorial Cup is up for grabs in Guelph, and having a close friend to share in that experience only amps the Bolts prospects’ excitement—and friendship—further.
“Me and Spades have gotten pretty close since we both got drafted last year,” Czata said before laughing. “This season's going to be a lot of fun, and at least now I won't have to fight him.”
