Niagara IceDogs GM Frank Evola has successfully recruited all three of his 2025 CHL Import draft picks. Niagara’s new GM has wasted zero time making a strong impression and is looking to improve on the team’s 29-31-8 record from last season.
Earlier this month, the IceDogs signed import players Ben Reisnecker and Vladislav Yermolenko — both drafted in the recent CHL Import Draft. Reisnecker brings size and mobility to their backend, while Yermolenko will compete for the crease against several other goalies.
Niagara IceDogs Sign 2025 CHL Import Draft Selections Vladislav Yermolenko & Ben Reisnecker
The middle of July is undoubtedly the prime time for OHL teams to secure their import players through the CHL Import Draft. We've witnessed a significant surge in import signings over the past week, and the <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl-icedogs/">Niagara IceDogs</a> have put pen to paper with two of their 2025 import draft picks.
On Monday, the organization announced that they had signed their third-round pick (148th overall) from the import draft, forward Mateu Spath, to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.
Spath, 18, recorded 19 points (12 goals, 7 assists) in 12 regular season games and 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists) in the playoffs for the Kolner Junghaie U20 club in the DNL U20 during the 2024-25 season. His 17 playoff points led his team.
He also suited up in 12 games (1 goal, 1 assist) in the DEL2 league — one tier below Germany’s top senior league “DEL.” — for EC Bad Nauheim.
The Ostfildern, Germany native represented his country at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship. He finished tied for second in team scoring with five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 5 games. Spath was a member of the U18 Germany team that achieved promotion in 2024, securing a spot in the top division for 2025.
Seattle Kraken prospect Andrei Loshko was Niagara’s only import player last season. His 34 goals and 36 assists will be significantly missed as he advances to the professional level to play in the AHL for the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
(Top photo credit: Terry Wilson/OHL Images)
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