Bronson Ride is heading up to North Bay, as the IceDogs receive goaltender Charlie Robertson and five draft picks.
The Niagara IceDogs enter the trade action on a busy day in the market, as they acquire goaltender Charlie Robertson and five draft selections for defender Bronson Ride.
The North Bay Battalion are prioritizing size and toughness for their playoff run, as they acquire 6-foot-6 defender Bronson Ride.
Ride is certainly not a player that many want to go into the boards with, or battle in front of the net. This is the value that North Bay is seeking out of this trade. Ride plays with an edge given his size, but he also isn't afraid to activate offensively. He doesn't mind carrying the puck into the offensive zone a few times each game, and keeps pucks in the zone with his long reach.
A common concern among many lengthy junior players is their skating ability, and Ride is no different. He struggles to keep up with the play at times, and allows players to skate by him too often.
If he is paired with a defender like Ty Nelson — who is a good skater — he will be better off.
The Niagara IceDogs are also finalizing their goaltending with this trade, as they acquire Charlie Robertson.
Dom DiVincentiis hasn't been having the season that man expected from him in North Bay, and Robertson has been able to come in and take some of that pressure at times. Robertson's numbers aren't staggering, but they have been good enough to keep his team in games.
Likely jumping in as Niagara's backup goalie behind Owen Flores, Robertson's numbers will suffice for the IceDogs. Since trading Marcus Vandenberg, Flores has been starting every game for his team. Now, Robertson will be able to come in and help share the load until the end of the season.
In addition, the IceDogs are acquiring five draft picks, including two 3rd rounders (2026 & 2027), two fourth rounders (2026 & 2027), and one 9th rounder (2024).