NHL PTO Success Stories -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Niagara IceDogs have been one of the OHL's most surprising teams in the 2024-25 season [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/four-ohl-teams-that-are-shocking-the-league-this-season] and credit to their GM Wes Consorti for a trade he made in the summertime. In August, the IceDogs acquired veteran defenseman Noah Van Vliet [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/niagara-icedogs-acquire-noah-van-vliet-from-sudbury-wolves] from the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for draft picks. Van Vliet has brought a steady, physical presence to Niagara's blueline, which hasn't gone unnoticed. Before ringing in the new year, the 6-foot-2, 222-pound left-shot defender announced his commitment to play NCAA D1 hockey next season at Sacred Heart University, via the IceDogs' official X account. Van Vliet is in his overage season in the OHL and on pace to set a new career high in points. He's laced up in 176 regular season games and 32 playoff games, 17 of which came in the 2022 playoffs where he won an OHL Championship with the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Toronto, Ontario native is not known for his offensive skills; instead, he is known for his rugged play in the defensive zone and physical abrasiveness. Discipline can be an issue at times for him, but he's not fun to battle against in the dirty areas of the ice. Noah leads Niagara in plus/minus (+14) and second in penalty minutes (49). He joins fellow Toronto, Ontario native David Brandes, who also committed to playing for Sacred Heart University next season. He was drafted by the Soo Greyhounds in the 2021 U18 Priority Selection draft and currently plays in the BCHL for Coquitlam Express. Both defensemen are 2004-born and played in the GTHL for the Toronto Red Wings. However, Van Vliet played up in the 2018-19 season with the U16 Red Wings — A team that featured Adam Fantilli, Francesco Pinelli, Luca Del Bel Belluz, Justin Ertel, Nolan Dann, and Andre Anania — as a highly-touted underage player in his age group. Brandes played for the U15 Red Wings in 2018-19. Van Vliet changed organizations in his OHL draft year, moving on to play for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Bookmark The Hockey News OHL [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/] site to never miss news, interviews, and any updates around the league.
