A closer look at Niagara's preseason roster.
We are finally here. The final addition to our preseason roster breakdown series. This addition will feature none other than the Niagara Ice Dogs.
The Ice Dogs finished the 2023-24 season at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. With 17 wins and a total of 42 points, they were 18 points shy of the eighth and final playoff spot.
Niagara has struggled for the last couple of years finishing in the bottom of the standings routinely. However, they have acquired some young players that may help to shift the tide in the future.
Overage players
Four overage players remain on Niagara's preseason roster. They are Gavin Bryant, Andrei Loshko, Noah Van Vliet and Owen Flores.
Niagara drafted Bryant in the second round of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Last year was Bryant's first season in Niagara. He scored 21 goals and 33 assists in 62 games. He set personal records in all scoring categories last year, and if he returns he will play a key role in the IceDogs' offense.
The Seattle Kraken selected Loshko with their fourth-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. The Belarusian forward played for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the QMJHL last season. In 64 games, he scored 28 goals and tallied 39 assists for 67 points. If he stays with the team he will make his OHL debut against Ottawa.
The IceDogs acquired Van Vliet from the Sudbury Wolves during the offseason. The 6-foot-2 defenseman won an OHL Championship with Hamilton during the 2021-22 season. He scored four goals and added 11 helpers for a total of 15 points last season. The experienced defender will be a stabilizing force on Niagara's D-corps.
Flores, an American goaltender, has played in 85 games for Niagara over the last two years. In 43 games last season, he registered a 4.48 goals-against average while maintaining a .885 save percentage. As an experienced OHL goaltender Flores is likely to see the majority of starts if he returns.
Import Players
Loshko is the only import player in Niagara's roster. They drafted Ottawa Senators prospect Gabriel Eliasson with the 12th pick in the 2024 CHL Import Draft. They subsequently traded Eliasson's rights to the Barrie Colts in exchange for picks.
Goaltenders
The three goalies left on the IceDogs' preseason roster are Matthew Humphries, Charlie Robertson and Owen Flores.
Humphries is a 2008-born goaltender who played for the Markham Majors U-16 AAA team last season. Niagara selected Humphries in the third round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He is a goaltender with a lot of potential. His youth may keep him off the team, however, there is always a chance he snags the backup position.
Niagara acquired Robertson from North Bay last season. In 20 games for Niagara, he averaged 5.04 goals against and maintained a .880 save percentage. As a 2005-born goaltender, he has lots of OHL experience and will serve as a solid backup if he is brought back to the team.
2024 Draft Class
Four 2008-born players are on Niagara's preseason roster. They are Max Crete, Braidy Wassilyn, Charlie Hotles and Nick Frasca.
The IceDogs picked Crete with the 30th pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He captained the Upper Canada Cyclones U-16 AAA team last season and scored 28 goals and a total of 66 points. Crete led the HEO U-16 league in scoring due to his impressive skill and hockey sense. At 5-foot-8 Crete is very small. He will need to make up for his size with speed and skill.
Wassilyn captained the Markham Majors U-16 AAA team last season. In 32 games, he scored 31 goals and tallied 31 assists for 62 points. The high-scoring forward also comes with a big frame at 6-foot-2. Niagara selected Wassilyn with the fourth-overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He should make an immediate impact on the IceDogs this year.
Niagara's sixth-round pick Charlies Hotles captained the North York Rangers U-16 AAA team last season. In 65 games, he scored 23 goals and added 36 assists for 59 points. He also played nine games for the North York Rangers in the OJHL. He scored two goals and added three assists in those games.
Frasca played for the Toronto Marlboros U-16 AAA team. In 61 games he scored seven goals and added 23 assists for 30 points. Niagara selected Frasca with the 56th pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.
Niagara could keep all four players. However, they would be filling all four of their available spots for 2008-born players. They are definitely a rebuilding team and getting more young players into their roster may help them.
Between this year's picks and their developing stars, Niagara should have a stronger roster this season. It remains to be seen how strong they will be. It cannot be denied they are putting together a nice stable of young players.