The import signings in the OHL continue, with another first-round pick from the 2025 CHL Import Draft committing. After the Niagara IceDogs were able to sign all three of their draft picks, the North Bay Battalion have joined in on the action.
On Tuesday, the Battalion announced that they have signed Russian center Evgeny Dubrovtsev to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.
Dubrovtsev, 17, was drafted 17th overall in the first round of the import draft earlier this month. He was the fifth Russian player selected and the first from an OHL team. Last season, only seven Russian-born players played in the OHL, with six of them being imports. Flint Firebirds defenseman Artyom Frolov was an exception, as he grew up and played in the GTHL.
“We’re thrilled to get started with Evgeny as he embarks on his journey to North America. He’s a player that we’ve been familiar with for some time, and we expect him to have an impact as soon as he can acclimate to his new surroundings,” said Battalion Director of Hockey Operations Adam Dennis.
Niagara IceDogs Import Player Roster Finalized; Sign Third Pick From The 2025 CHL Import Draft
Niagara IceDogs GM <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/icedogs-name-frank-evola-general-manager">Frank Evola</a> 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.
The 5-foot-11, 183-pound right-shot forward recorded 14 points (8 goals, 6 assists) in 37 games for SKA-Yunior Krasnogorsk of the MHL during the 2024-25 season. He spent the majority of the year in Russia’s junior league, but also captained SKA St. Petersburg U17 squad in the Russia U17 division, recording 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) in nine games.
Dubrovtsev joins Ukrainian forward Ihnat Pazii as North Bay’s two import players heading into the 2025-26 season. With one import spot remaining, we await to see if they can sign their second-round pick from 2025, forward Arseny Pronin.
The Battalion have had previous success with drafting a Russian forward from the import draft. In 2020, the organization drafted forward Matvei Petrov first overall. He played two seasons with the club, recording back-to-back 90+ point seasons and aiding them in an Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 2023.
Dubrovtsev isn’t nearly on the same skill level as Petrov, and it’s important to keep in mind that Petrov spent one season back home in Russia before he came over to the OHL, but the 17-year-old gains the opportunity to have more scouts on him as he heads into his NHL draft year.
(Top photo credit: Logan Taylor/OHL Images)
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