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Canadiens fans have been keeping a close eye on prospect Nick Suzuki’s progress this season, but nobody has watched him closer than Guelph Storm head coach George Burnett.

Burnett, who is also GM of the Storm, acquired Suzuki from the Owen Sound Attack on Jan. 9. Suzuki was one of six players Burnett acquired in deals before the OHL trade deadline, while dealing away three players and 19 draft picks in a push to win the league championship.

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It worked.

On Sunday, the Storm beat the Ottawa 67’s 8-3 to win the J. Robertson Cup final in six games. Suzuki earned the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the playoff MVP after posting 16-26-42 totals in 24 games. The Storm advanced to the Memorial Cup, which begins Friday in Halifax.

Photo by DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS

This has been quite a season for Suzuki, starting last September when the Canadiens acquired him from the Vegas Golden Knights, along with Tomas Tatar and a second-round pick at this year’s NHL Entry Draft, in exchange for Max Pacioretty. Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin said Suzuki was the key player in the deal for him after the Golden Knights selected the 5-foot-11, 183-pound forward in the first round (13th overall) at the 2017 NHL Draft.