Niagara IceDogs forward Ryan Roobroeck scored 28 goals back in the 2023-24 season, setting the franchise record for most goals scored by an IceDogs rookie. Additionally, his 51 points that season set a franchise record for most points by a rookie. 

The towering 6-foot-4 pure goal-scorer followed up his rookie campaign with an impressive 41 goals and 87 points last season, becoming one of the OHL’s most lethal scorers. Having been born past Sept. 19, 2007, Roobroeck wasn’t eligible for the NHL draft last summer, but scouts were already raving about him and slating him in as a top ten, potential top five draft pick for 2026. 

But Roobroeck has run into some speed bumps this season.

Of course, when it’s your NHL draft year, scouts are going to dial in on every little aspect of a prospect’s game. Strengths from the year prior can sometimes be overlooked as weaknesses are more exposed and clarified. That’s what has happened with the Niagara forward. 

Everyone knows about Roobroeck’s high-end shooting ability and his ability to use his massive frame and reach to protect pucks and create offense with a defender on him. But scouts want more from him. 

Many scouts talk about his physical game, more so the lack thereof. Although he possesses a power forward build, he’s far from it and plays more of a finesse game. His engagement and the lack of pace he at times plays with are making scouts drop him in the rankings. He came into the season as a potential top ten pick, as I mentioned, and now some see him as a late first-round swing. 

The Hockey News’ expert scout Tony Ferrari ranked him 28th in his latest rankings. TSN’s Craig Button had him 27th on his list back in November. And Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala left him off his top 32 in his rankings, which he released on Dec. 1. 

The production wasn’t as elite as many expected/wanted it to be to start the year for Roobroeck, but perhaps his turning a corner as we enter into the new year. 

Roobroeck has locked in during December. Before heading into their New Year’s Eve showdown against Oshawa, he’s recorded a point in nine of 10 games in the month. During that stretch, he’s scored seven times and notched 10 assists for 17 points. At the time of writing this, he owns the longest active point streak in the league with 15 points in eight games. 

The London Jr. Knights alumnus is up to 20 goals and 42 points on the season. He’s on pace to just reach the 40-goal mark for the second time in his OHL career and 84 points. However, those numbers won’t do much for scouts considering his previous season. 

Roobroeck will need a massive second-half in the season to get back into the good graces of scouts. His recent stretch is a step in the right direction.