The IceDogs enter the new campaign with some more off-ice stability, but also the beginning of another retool.
On and off the ice, the Niagara IceDogs have typically been one of the more chaotic OHL franchises over the past few years.
From bizarre trades, to off-ice conduct incidents, to chaotic results, Niagara always seems to have something going on.
Now, with the OHL assuming more control over operations with the club, Dale DeGray in as new general manager and Jake Grimes in as head coach, the team is hoping to grow into a more chartered path as the new season begins.
The Niagara IceDogs have traded a few key pieces this summer as part of the new project. (Photo: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images)With that, there are a good number of key departures in what's been a fairly busy summer. Ethan Czata and Ryan Roobroeck have both been traded to the Memorial Cup host Guelph Storm, while important overagers in Grayson Tiller, Charlie Robertson and Jakub Chromiak have aged out.
There's also departures to players heading to school or turning pro, such as Haoxi Wang, Riley Patterson and Hayden Reid.
But, with departures, it leaves room for new acquisitions and signings to enter the fold. Michael Tang comes in with some serious upside potential, while Stepan Stejskal joins as an import. Jared Langdon, Blake Munnings, Carter Lewandowski, Zack Naish, Christian Colosimo, Layne Gallacher and Wil McFadden have all joined via trade as well.
There's also room for younger players like Ryerson Edgar, Jacob Monks and Alex Hage to step into bigger roles in the new season as well.
But, the most important part about this summer for the IceDogs was to add some stability up and down the off-ice portion of the organization. They hope long-term on-ice success will follow.
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